My LinkedIn feed is full of swooning for the new 3x day slow OUIGO train Bruxelles-Paris THIS is what we need: upped capacity from the incumbent (Eurostar is 60% SNCF, hence TGV Duplex) and competition from a good high speed rival! What do we get? A crappy slow train 3x a day. Not nearly enough! - ThreadSky

jonworth.eu • 87 days ago

My LinkedIn feed is full of swooning for the new 3x day slow OUIGO train Bruxelles-Paris

THIS is what we need: upped capacity from the incumbent (Eurostar is 60% SNCF, hence TGV Duplex) and competition from a good high speed rival!

What do we get? A crappy slow train 3x a day. Not nearly enough!

Comments

bedfojo.bsky.social•87 days ago

Also, if you are going to run a "classic" train, don't make it reservation only and not usable on interrail

jonworth.eu•87 days ago

Right. Exactly.

alkinooskanaris.bsky.social•86 days ago

Correct me if I am wrong but I think that Eurostar intends to run the Velaros between Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris. As for the certification of the TGV Duplex in the NL and BE, it’s not like SNCF has tried (nor that they will try, they don’t care).

jonworth.eu•86 days ago

Yes there’s one Velaro a day already Paris-Bruxelles. But given only a handful of e300 will get ETCS stock for the combined Eurostar-Thalys is still v tight. Persistent rumours they’ll order some TGV-M.

alkinooskanaris.bsky.social•85 days ago

Do they have options for more Velaros though? It‘s a great train and the 16 coaches would boost capacity. Major question is if ProRail will like a train this long pulling into 3 major Dutch stations (A‘dam, Schiphol, R‘dam) hourly, knowing that they are picky with allocating space on timetables.

jeroenvm.bsky.social•87 days ago

And - rail companies that do not accept Interrail passes on important connections should lose their licence to run trains.

vanbesien.social•87 days ago

What about: Railways that recognise domestic tickets and interrail passes get a reduction on their track access charges...

vanbesien.social•87 days ago

On issue is that TGV Duplex cannot run in the Netherlands. Not sure about Belgium though.
A second operator would be nice though.

jonworth.eu•87 days ago

It could run in either. They’ve just never tried getting it approved.

vanbesien.social•86 days ago

I believe that the issue with the TGV Duplex in the Netherlands would be that its entrance is to low for the high Dutch platforms. Step down in to a train is not permitted there.

jonworth.eu•86 days ago

And step up from a Thalys is?

But honestly I don't give a damn - Eurostar is going to have to buy new trains anyway, but is not.

And the rumour however is they want 55cm entry TGV-M. Same problem.

khyber.bsky.social•86 days ago

I would assume so. I know in the US, step down is never allowed. That's why flush level boarding is calibrated to worn, small wheels so that no matter the wheel size over time, there's never a step down.

jonworth.eu•86 days ago

Step down into TGV Duplex in Germany happens.

gabrielstravels.bsky.social•87 days ago

Three a day is three a day better than none a year! 😅

ca.uston.me•87 days ago

Not if your ticket (Interrail, FIP, etc) isn't valid for it :(

gabrielstravels.bsky.social•86 days ago

True . But some passengers will move over and that would mean more seats left on eurostar.

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