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12. Local & Long Distance Trains
    In the French speaking countries, there are local trains, known as a ‘Trains Régional’, and long distance or international trains, referred to ‘Trains de Grandes Lignes’.  A slow train, with many stops, is called a ‘Train Express’; a fast, or express, train is called a ‘Train Rapide’; a local train is a ‘Train Express Régional’; a fast, non-stop, train is a ‘Train Direct’; a car-sleeper train is a ‘Train Auto-couchettes’.
     
13. Train Stations
    Each train station in Europe is unique, with a personality representative of the city it serves.  Many are picturesque, representing the style of the ‘Belle Époque’; most are right in the center of town and offer the traveler a full range of facilities and services. 
    
    The larger stations have a poster-like timetable [showing departures, arrivals and platform numbers], ticket offices, reservation offices, information desks, baggage rooms, lost and found, restrooms, showers [and sometimes ‘hotels’], restaurants, snack bars, bookstores, newspaper and magazine kiosks, gift shops, luggage carts, postal services, ATMs, currency exchange, telephones, access to subway stations, taxi stands and bus stops.
     
    1. Station Timetable
       The station timetable [sometimes known as the Poster Timetable] is a large apparatus, usually located high on a main wall, which provides the departure and arrival times, and platform, for all trains. 
       
       All trains are listed on this timetable, chronologically, using the 24-hour time system.  The arrival tables are generally printed on a white background; the departure tables being on a yellow background.  The fast trains are shown in red print, the others in black.  The name and number of the important stops is shown next to the time, along with the platform and track number where you can find the train;
        
    2. Tickets
       You can buy your tickets through travel agencies in North America and Europe, through satellite railroad tickets offices, in Europe, by standing in line at a train station ticket office [guichet] or by using ticket vending machines within the station.  In the larger stations, make sure that you stand in the right line.  There will be lines for the long-distance trains [Grandes Lignes] and for the local lines [Régionaux].  There may also be separate lines for tickets and for reservations.
       
       However you buy your tickets, inspect them closely; make sure they are for the right train at the right time and for the correct class of travel.
       
       Before buying a train ticket in France, inquire about the discounts offered for travel during the off-peak periods [période bleue].  If you possess an Enfant+, a 12-25 or a Senior card, you will be able to obtain up to a 50% reduction in fare [not available for TGV or couchette service];
        
    3. Reservations
       A reservation is mandatory for certain specified trains, but not all trains, for sleepers and couchettes [when tickets are purchased in advance].  When not mandatory, it is sometimes a good idea to make a reservation when taking a particular train is important to you, or during the rush hour, on weekends and on holidays; otherwise, it can be a waste of money.
       
       You should not confuse the purchase of a ticket [or pass] with the making of a reservation.  These are two distinct functions, often separated into two different offices at the train station.
       
       When working through a travel agency, or through railroad satellite offices within Europe, you can generally buy tickets and make train reservation through the same person.
       
       Having a reservation will, when one is mandatory, insure that you will be able to board the train – even though you have a ticket.  When not mandatory, it will insure you a seat all the way to your destination when the train is full;
        
    4. Information
       In medium sized and large stations, there is an information booth, identified with a large “i”, where you can usually find someone who can speak English.  This person can give you some help in interpreting the timetable, tell you how to get to your train and maybe provide assistance in other areas.
       
       Often times, there will also be a tourist information office in the station or nearby; sometimes as a separate entity, but often as a part of the railroad information bureau.  A sign painted with a “t” usually identifies it;
        
    5. Baggage
       Unless you are taking one of the special European trains, such as the Eurostar or the French-Spanish Hotel-trains, there are no weight limitations on the baggage nor on the number of bags you bring; nor is there a service charge.  Your bags will have to be placed under your seats and in overhead racks in 1^st Class, and primarily in the overhead racks in 2^nd Class, so they shouldn’t be too heavy for you to lift over your head. 
       
       Today, there are very few stations in Europe that have porters who can take your baggage to and from the trains.  Remember that you will have to lift your luggage from the platform onto the train.  You will often have to carry your baggage over, and under, tracks, climbing many steps on the way.  However, if you have too much baggage, or it is too heavy, you will have to check it through to your destination. 
       
       Since most passenger trains don’t have baggage cars, checked baggage will usually be sent on another train and may arrive at its destination days later than you do.  Of course, with the presentation of a valid ticket, you might be able to ship it in advance.
       
       Years ago, almost all stations had lockers where you could store your things for a day.  However, these lockers have mostly disappeared due to the threat of terrorism; they are thought to be good locations to store bombs too.
       
       Many large stations have luggage trolleys that will separate you from a Euro for their use; I don’t remember seeing porters at the stations in a long time.  These trolleys can’t be used where stairways must be navigated.
       
       At some of the larger stations there will be individuals who will offer to carry your bags for a price.  Unless you know that you can run faster than they, be very careful.  They may just run off with your possessions.
       
       Always bring as little luggage with you as possible, and each piece should be as light as possible.  Heavy luggage is very difficult to lift over your head to put it onto the overhead luggage racks.  Your luggage should also have large wheels and a strong, slide out [or fold out] handle;
        
    6. Lost and Found
       Larger stations will have a lost and found [objets perdus et trouvés] offices which may be combined with the baggage department;
        
    7. Station Restrooms
       When looking for a restroom, don’t ask people where the ‘rest room’ is located.  Europeans will think you are looking for the waiting room.  Rather, ask where the toilets are located.  In French speaking countries, the phrase to use is:  ‘les toilettes s’il vous plat [layh twa-lets sill voo play]’.  Often times, the sign on a toilet door will be WC [for Water Closet].
       
       If you plan to venture out of the railroad station, to explore the town, make use of the station facilities before you leave.  ‘Restrooms’ are not found as frequently as in North America.  The best place to look for one in town will be a restaurant; but buy something before using their facilities.  And, carry coins with you; often times you are charged for the privilege;
        
    8. Showers & Sometimes Hotel Rooms
       Virtually all large train stations have showers that are quite inexpensive.  Some of the very large stations have hotel rooms that you can rent, for a few hours between trains or over night.  However, you will be saving yourself the inconvenience of having to sleep in a doorway if you make reservations for a hotel in advance.  Most train stations close by 1 am and don’t reopen until early in the morning.  When they close, everyone must leave the station;
        
    9. Restaurants and Snack Bars
       Although some trains will have a dining car, most do not.  Some will have a snack bar while others might have a snack trolley that makes its way up and down the train.  In either case, they may not have a great selection of things to eat or drink and what they do have might be quite expensive. 
       
       The best approach is to bring your snacks with you.  Either buy them before entering the station, or buy them in the station before boarding the train.  This way you will have a better selection for a lesser price.
       
       Before I take the train, I usually buy my favorite pâtisseries at a good pâtisserie, a baguette and some sliced meat and/or pâté, all of which can be purchased at either a supermarché or a charcouterie to carry on board.
       
       In larger stations there are usually a number of places, from full-fledged restaurants to small snack bars, where you can buy something to eat;
        
    10. Bookstores and Newspaper-Magazine Kiosks
        Virtually all stations have kiosks where you can buy paperback books, newspapers and magazines.  Most often, this printed material will only be in the language of the country.  However, in the largest stations you will be able to find publications in English. 
        
        The Paris Herald-Tribune, which is published in English in most major European capitals, is one of the best-written newspapers in the world.  Such literary luminaries as James Joyce, Hemmingway, William Faulkner and Art Buchwald served as writers on this illustrious newspaper;
         
    11. Luggage Carts
        Many stations will have lines of luggage carts that are hooked together.  The end cart can be extracted, from the line, by placing a Euro in the release slot.  These carts are exceptionally useful when you have to manage a number of bags.  But, alas, they cannot be used where stairways or escalators intervene.  The best advise we can give you is to carry your own Lightweight Folding Luggage Carts.  Such collapsable luggage carts will be worth their weight in gold;
         
    12. Miscellaneous Services
        Train stations also provide such services and conveniences as mini post offices or mail boxes, ATMs, currency exchange [at the bigger train stations or at border stations at the extremes of the European Community] and telephones services;
         
    13. Other Transportation
        European railroad stations constitute the transportation hubs of the cities, towns and villages where they are located.  In the large cities, such as Paris and Brussels, the train stations provide access to the subway system.  There are also taxi stands and regularly scheduled buses arriving and departing in synchronization with arriving and departing trains.
         
14. Trains
    European trains are generally configured with the First Class train cars following the engine.  If there is a dining car or snack car in the train, it will usually be located between the First and Second Class portions of the train.  When sleeping cars [with sleeper or couchette compartments] are a part of the train, they will often times be located in this general area.
     
    1. Printed Timetables
       Printed Timetables are available in brochure form.  You should learn how to read these timetables before boarding your first train.  Once you understand how they work, you will be able to find the times for your trains by getting on the Internet.  Always make sure that the train, you are interested in taking, runs at the time and day you would like to go.
       
       In reading train schedules, keep in mind that all times are stated in terms of the 24-hour clock.  12 00 is noon, 13 00 is 1 pm and 20 00 is 8 pm.  To convert to the North American system, subtract 12 00 from times greater than 13 00 to get the time you are used to.  For example, 20 00 is 20 00 minus 12 00 equals 8 00 or 8 pm. 
       
       The following is a sample train timetable taken from the Eurail Timetable booklet that is included with your rail pass purchase [The Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable, that covers all train schedules and some ferries, is published monthly and contains 550 pages]:
       
       
       
       The train, in the first row, leaves the Paris Nord station at 6:55 am and arrives at The Haag at 10:28 am [via Belgium].  A reservation is required, and there is a dining car.  On the next line, the train leaves Paris Nord station at 7:55 am and arrives at The Haag at 11:58 am.  Again, a reservation is required and a dining car is attached; one will change trains at the Brussels Midi station en route.
       
       On the 6^th row down, the train leaving Paris Nord at 11:56 am only runs on workdays.  On the 10^th row, it shows that a reservation is mandatory for the train that leaves at 4:55 pm [16 55 – 12 00 = 4 pm] and arrives at 8:58 pm and requiring a change at the Brussels Midi station.
       
       In the second grouping of trains, the train leaving the Paris Lyon station at 7:18 am and arriving at Dijon at 8:58 am is a TGV [Train à Grande Vitesse], requires a reservation and has a snack bar.
       
                X = change of trains
                   R = reservations are required
                   Crossed silverware = the train has a dining car
                   Crossed hammers = the train only runs on work days
                   A cross = the train runs only on Sundays and holidays
                   The picture of a little bed = the train has sleeping compartments
                   The left column contains departure times
                   The right column contains arrival times
       
       A comprehensive schedule, covering all European trains, can be seen on line at the German Railroad’s Web site www.bahn.de;
        
    2. Learn How to Find your Train
       You should do this in advance of departure time.  When you get to the platform [le quai], you will find that the 1^st class cars [carriages] are at the front of the train, followed by the 2^nd class.  There is usually a configuration of the train board shown on a signboard on the quai.  It will show each car [carriage] in the train, together with the car number.  It will also show where the dinning car or snack bar is, if the train has one;
        
    3. The Quais [Train Platforms]
       Some of the train platforms must be reached by climbing stairs to cross a pedestrian bridge over the tracks and then descending another flight of stairs, or by descending a stairway to a tunnel and then climbing stairs to the platform.  If you have to carry much luggage, this could prove quite challenging.  Make sure that you only bring minimal baggage and that each piece of luggage has foldout bars and large wheels.  Now days, porters are rarer than hens teeth;
        
    4. Finding the Right Car [Carriage]
       Once you have found the right track, the next step is to locate the right car. Some trains will split at certain junctions, one part going one way and the other heading in a different direction or stopping altogether, so, it is necessary to find the right car. Also, if a passenger has a reservation, he/she must match the number shown on his/her ticket with the correct car and seat number. If passengers are planning to get off a train at a small town not noted on the side panel, they need to ask the conductor which car they should be on before, or slightly after, boarding.
       
       When you don’t have a reservation, you can use any vacant seat.  However, it may be unused only until the next station, where you will have to give it up to a passenger with a reservation.  Outside your compartment there will be slips of paper showing which seats are reserved.  Newer trains will have LCD screens, over the seats, for this purpose.
       
       To further assist passengers, many train stations will have diagrams located on the platforms that illustrate the location of each car on the train. These diagrams enable travelers to situate themselves on the platform very close to where their seat will be. Each train car has an identification panel on its side, indicating:

·         On top: the name of the city where it originated;

·         On the bottom: the name of the final destination;

·         In between: the names of the most important stops en route;

·         Beside the door: a digital panel will indicate the car number.

 

Each car is also marked first-class or second-class by a number "1" or "2" displayed on its side. There may also be a yellow stripe under the roof for first-class, green for second-class;
 

5. Food on Trains
   As a general rule, regional or commuter trains do not carry food or beverages.  Usually, the medium distance trains will have trolley carts that make their way, from one end of the train to the other, selling sandwiches, snacks and beverages.  The long distance and premium trans will normally have a dining car and/or a café car.

                       

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