From: kwyatt@ccscola.Columbia.NCR.COM (Kershner Wyatt)
Subject: Re: European trains
Organization: NCR Corp, E&M-Columbia, Columbia, SC
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 14:04:58 GMT

In article <1992Nov8.213103.20936@ecsvax.uncecs.edu> ehr@ecsvax.uncecs.edu (Ernest H. Robl) writes:
>One of the things I try to tell people in the U.S. about European
>trains is that there are basically two different types of trains
>in Europe, with only minor overlap between the two:  Fast trains
>that efficiently connect the major cities and slower trains that go
>through great scenery.
>
>In Austria, the country that I know best (though I've also been on
>trains in several other European countries), the domestic schedule
>book for railroads runs around 900 pages of small print.  This is for
>an area about the size of the state of Maine.
>
>There are all sorts of slow trains that twist their way through
>small mountain valleys -- trains on which you can still open the
>windows -- which the typical American travelling only between
>cities such as Vienna and Salzburg never sees.
>
>On my trips to Europe, I always try to divide my time between the 
>two types of trains.  I admire the fast trains for their technology,
>but I like the slower trains for their scenery and the small towns
>they take me to and through.
>
>A Eurail pass is equally valid on both kinds of trains.  You can
>take a fast train to a city and use it as a base for a few days,
>during which time you can explore dozens of nearby branch lines,
>either making out-and-back trips on a line or even going on
>circular routes which will bring you back to your base city at the
>end of the day.  I like the base city concept, since it lets me 
>make the scenic trips with just my photo bag -- without having to
>worry about the rest of my luggage or having to find a place to 
>stay each time.
>
>Since even these branch lines have numerous trains per day, I can
>get on and off at will, if I happen to spot an area I like, and
>spend an hour or two wandering around an interesting town.
>
>In fact, one of the things I've suggested to a number of people as
>a way to save money is to avaoid staying in the larger cities all
>together, and to stay in nearby smaller towns.  You can still go
>see sites in these cities -- just commute to them by train.
>
>Of course, if you are going to be staying in smaller towns and
>exploring branch lines, you need to be a little more adventuresome.
>You'll be a little less likely to find restaurants where everyone
>speaks English.  But even that shouldn't be a problem.

Excellent comments about the Austrian/European train system and travelling.
My wife and I lived for 3 years in Germany and travelled extensively by train
throughout Europe, the most naturally within Germany.

The schedules themselves indicate how your train will travel - whether it is
a Intercity or one that stops in every town on the route.  It is also a great
way to see the different equipment used.  Just like everywhere else, older
more "unique" equipment tends to get put on the "locals".  So you will
tend to get a lot of variety if you take the normal trains vs. the ICs.  They
are also cheaper.  These are particularily good ways to get into towns - since
Europeans don't "suburb", the train station or stations is almost always
convenient to where you want to go and you don't have to deal with parking.
Many times the smaller stations don't charge for parking, but the larger
stations do.  If the larger station charges for parking, you need to take
care of this immediately when you buy your ticket, as the police/train
employees check for the proof in the car, and they do it frequently.

Tickets may be purchased often through vending machines in the stations if
the trip is relatively short.  The Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB) has all sorts of
promotional packages, going from discounted fares on certain days to totally
planned trips.  I wholeheartedly recommend the DB trips - sleeper accomodations
meals, hotels, and guides.  We are talking perfection - everything was on time
and absolutely better than expected.

Likewise, they also run "vintage" equipment on Sonderzugs, special trains -
I have travelled on a number of these trips with Reichsbahn electrics and 
steam.  These are the times that you really appreciate where we've gone to
in terms of comfort!! :-)  DB agents have folders, flyers on these types of 
events - sometimes even in English...  I have ridden in the cab and gone
into "employee only" areas numerous times on these.  

German trips used to figured on distance and type of transport used, I assume
that this is still the case.  They also sponsor trips with the other national
rail systems, so crossing borders could be part of a DB trip.

Sometimes, there is a discount or "free" connection done on your arrangements.
DB owns a lot of the bus service and has agreements with a lot of the streetcar
and Underground systems, so you may be able to take care of this as well.  Ask
the ticket agent or rep.

Europeans travel on an honor system on most things, especially when it comes to
streetcars.  You may or may not be asked for a ticket on the train (probably 
will), but it is very unlikely that you will be checked on a streetcar.  It
is expected (naturally), that you have registered your fare on the streetcar
and they do run inspectors.  Paris has a method after so many trips on the
Metro that you may ride for free on certain ticket combinations - I don't re-
member the exact details anymore.

I have always found the railroad employees super helpful and friendly all over
Europe.  Sometimes if you have a particular interest all you have to do is
ask and you shall be permitted.  One last recommendation.  If you know of 
a military installation nearby where you are staying, you may want to call
the USO or the ITO office to see if they have some package trips which cater
to English speaking tourists, especially prevalent during the American holidays,Thanksgiving trips, Christmas trips, Easter, etc.  You never know.

If you've never done an european train trip before, you'll come back wondering
why we can't do it like that here.

Gute Reise!
-- 
Kershner Wyatt
kwyatt@ccscola.ColumbiaSC.ncr.com

My opinions are my own and aren't necessarily my employer's.