European Rail News & Notes

Your source for updates on European train travel
Journeys
published on 15 December 2020
by Paul Scraton
Paul Scraton reflects on the merits of the journey as he boards the train to wherever. A train journey can be a wonderful stimulus to the imagination.
Notes
published on 8 December 2020
by Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries
Three routes in our Europe by Rail book are affected by major track renewal programmes in the first half of 2021. Get updates on how train service changes in France, England and Serbia are affecting travellers following those three routes.
Practical Info
published on 1 December 2020
by Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries
We take a look at Mike Ball’s European Railway Atlas (ERA) series. The newly published Enthusiast Edition is perfect for planning rail journeys accross Europe.
Journeys
published on 15 November 2020
by Paul Scraton
Paul Scraton reflects on the appeal of the urban tram as he explores tram routes in Berlin, Sarajevo, Prague and elsewhere. For visitors to a city, the tram is more than merely a way of getting around - it is an invitation to adventure.
News
published on 1 November 2020
by Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries
As Europe's rail operators face reduced demand because of the pandemic, many services are being suspended from early November. We review developments in Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Russia and elsewhere.
Opinion
published on 30 October 2020
by Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries
Would it not, in these difficult times, be so much better if operators initially open sales only for those trains which would run in the most skeleton timetable? If the pandemic abates, everyone will be delighted to then see operators responding quickly by adding in extra trains to meet renewed demand. We look at the offer of two operators: Eurostar and Thalys.