European Trains & Locomotives

All things trains and locomotives in Europe

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Planning a Rail Vacation in Europe

Tuesday, March 4th, 2008

If you are running out of ideas on how you would spend several weeks of vacation, consider touring most of Europe by train. Doing so is like taking a ride across the whole of the continent, where you could see the major sceneries and landmarks identified with the region. If you are finally deciding to take a rail vacation in Europe, it would be better if you would make plans for the tour ahead of time.

When planning for a European vacation by train, list down cities or countries you want to visit. Coordinate with your travel agent and find out how train rides in between those destinations can be facilitated. You can also visit European train operators’ online sites to access schedules and available services. It would be ideal if you would allot a budget for the vacation so before anything else, you would have an idea of your spending capacity.

What is so good about touring Europe by train is that you would get to save a lot of money. Train rides are obviously and practically cheaper and more affordable than airfares. When getting into train rides in between European countries, you would also spare money that could be spent as payments for hotel accommodations. You would practically be staying at the train the whole duration of the trip so there is a lesser need to book or reserve hotel accommodations.

Get train schedules and plot your own schedule of European travel activities. This way, you could coordinate your leisure activities with the departure and arrival schedule of your train in different European destinations.

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Simple Guidance for Traveling Europe by Train - Part II

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Here are some other tips that could be really helpful if you are taking European trains for a ride.- If you are budget conscious, be reminded that tickets at fast trains are significantly more expensive. Train rides at the southern portion of the region are also comparatively more affordable than those in the north. You can also ask the ticket booth about special passes, which could be available in the country of your destination.

- When you are traveling long distances by train, plan out the food you will take because it would take longer than you have expected. Since carrying and preparing food at home would not be advisable, check out stores and food stalls at train stations. You might be surprised at food supplies and products being sold that are especially made for train traveling. Overall, buying at such stores would also be much cheaper and more convenient.

- Consider taking an overnight train. Trains traveling across Europe are usually cozy and comfortable whether you are taking a first class or a second class seat. Imagine how much cost you would save if you would take an overnight train. You would be spared of one night in a hotel.

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Tips When Riding Trains in Italy

Saturday, February 16th, 2008

Traveling by train can be very cheap and affordable in Italy than in any other country. Here are some basic and practical guides that would help just about anyone to survive riding trains and rails in the country.

- When buying train tickets, do so at windows within a train station. If there are ticket machines, use them to avoid long queues. If you want, you can also coordinate to buy train tickets from travel agents, though there surely would be added charges.

- In Italy, it is necessary to validate train tickets before taking a ride. There are yellow validation boxes across city stations that are made to validate and check accessibility and coverage of train tickets. In such machines, you can double check if the ticket is still valid.

- Because train stations and trains themselves are naturally crowded, take precautionary measures to avoid falling as victims of pickpockets and thieves. Because such venues are usually and practically bustling places, it id your responsibility to keep your wallet and baggage safe.

- In Italy, almost all train stations are located adjacent to tourist hotels. Thus, you surely would not be lost especially if it is your first time to travel to the country.

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UK’s New High-Speed Train Station

Saturday, February 9th, 2008

In November 6, 2007, Queen Elizabeth inaugurated the new St. Pancras train station in London. The new and modernized train facility is an international rail hub that would connect London to important cities in Belgium and France. This luxurious train station is aimed at gearing British rail technology into an era of high-speed traveling by train. In the future, many of St. Pancras’ proponents hope the hub would springboard a link between the UK with almost all other important cities and countries across the European continent.

The 10-year project is bringing not just high-speed rail service to Britain but also luxurious and very comfortable services. Because of the hub’s High Speed 1 line of rail, St. Pancras, along with the Channel Tunnel, would be connected to Paris within just two hours and 15 minutes, while London would be just about an hour and 51 minutes away from Brussels. The trains would have the capacity to run as fast as 186 miles per hour, which is reduces travel time between the UK capital and other parts of Europe by about 20 minutes and more.

St. Pancras rail station is truly promising. In the future, people expect the hub to be more than just that. Someday, St. Pancras would be synonymous to fast train travels.

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