For many people planning a holiday using trains, Europe is the obvious destination.

A lot of young people will have used Interail or (for Americans) Eurail passes to skip across the continent in a flurry of cathedrals, museums and occasionally blurry railway station cafes. 

Those moving at a slower pace may have taken time to appreciate some of the continent’s more scenic routes, such as the journey from Oslo to Bergen or any number of journeys in the Swiss Alps.

Others may have travelled further afield, to experience the bullet trains of Japan or the Amtrak network in the USA.   

However, there’s a train in Africa that is increasingly popular with tourists, and makes the average unpleasant morning train commute look like a luxury first class service.

Sometimes up to 1.86miles long and often claimed to be the longest train in the world, the Iron Ore train in Mauritania snakes through the North West African country on a gruelling 20-hour, 435-mile journey through the Sahara Desert.

While the journey can be taken in even direction, most tourists take the route from the iron mining centre of Zouerat down to the port at Nouadhibou  – although many visitors also take the option to end their journey at Choutt, which shaves 5-6 hours off the journey.

There are some passenger carriages, and in theory you can book them, however most people take the option of climbing aboard the open-topped iron ore cars and spending the journey in the iron.

Many people like to take snacks or drinks for a long train journey, but the Iron Ore Train requires more than most due to the unique climate it is in.

You are advised to take at least three litres of your own water, as well as goggles due to the dust from the ore.

The desert, a hostile environment whether at scorching or freezing temperatures, also requires you to consider your clothing and other preparations – with a scarf, sleeping bag and other clothing all suggested.

The train also lurches violently when accelerating or braking, which can be unpleasant – and women travellers may wish not to take the journey alone according to some guides on the subject.

You also want to be careful when getting off to go to the toilet when the train stops.  It is not an environment you would wish to get stranded in.