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This coming over to Salzburg became "habit forming", so I'm now on the S Bahn from the airport to the Munich East station.
I think the train to Salzburg is to be a Meridian, EMU cars not known for their comfort or amenities. I don't care as I'm a bit Zonked from essentially no sleep.
I think you all recall my report on how vile the Short Ribs were on the Auto Train last January. They were excellent on United last night. So long as Amtrak has contracted out their commissaries to caterers, how about kicking ARA out and go to Sky Chef?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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From Crowne Plaza Piitter Salzburg--
Train to Salzburg was a Meridan. No passport control entering Austria. No one ever came for a ticket. But I "rode with clean hands"
palmland Member # 4344
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GBN, have a good trip. Hope you meet your friend again.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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From Rail Jet 167 near Imst Pritzall--
If anyone here has MSTS and played the Orient Express sim, this should be familiar.
Austria does not claim to have HSR, but they do move out at 125mph where they can. Rail Jet is a match for Acela. In First, they have at seat F&B. Some folks are having a beef and spatzele dish they thought was "good for a train". They also been Stateside, ridden Amtrak and thought their food was good. Maybe that vile Short Ribs on Auto Train I had was a one off, for they can be very tender and tasty as we're those on United.
There is a bicycle trail following the tracks; take the train up to Landeck, then roll downhill to Otztal. Trains and the Inn River.
sbalax Member # 2801
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Keep the reports coming, Gil. As you know, we leave Sunday for London and then a Baltic cruise on a relatively small ship -- 750 pax. No train rides, this time, though.
Frank in cloudy and cool SBA
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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From Rail Jet 61 enroute to Vienna--
WiFi and mobile data are very spotty. and we are somewhere near Linz (Mr. Google thinks we're in Budapest).
Now leaving Linz; ICE HSR on opposite track. The more I ride, the more I'm impressed by Euro passenger rails. But freight is some kind of joke, i.e. One (2 TEU) container per car, 20 cars is a train.
George Harris Member # 2077
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: But freight is some kind of joke, i.e. One (2 TEU) container per car, 20 cars is a train.
If you have a European friend and bring him to the US, walk him up to a mainline track, have him look at the track, then wait for a double stack to go by at 70 or a 100 + car coal train go by at 50, and then be prepared to do CPR.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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From.Vienna Hbf
The OBB Driver who was handling RJ61 on to Budapest was some kind of a railfan, spoke perfect English, and has been to the U.S and ridden Amtrak.
He thought Amtrak some kind of Pink Elephant, but was in awe as you suggest, Mr. Harris.
It is RJ66 back to Salzburg in now 15min.
George Harris Member # 2077
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: but was in awe as you suggest, Mr. Harris.
Yes, the European understanding of freight is amazing. Still using hook and screw couplings, which is at best an updated link and pin and many 4 wheel freight cars. I recall reading quite a few years ago, now that there was a study being done, in Belgium, I think, of the practicality of running 2,000 tonne freight trains. I remember it because my first thought was, "what is this? 1900?"
notelvis Member # 3071
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Interesting to receive your update on open borders you being the most recent to make an international rail crossing 'over there'.
Before our 2014 trip I had imagined a stop at each border with brisk men in sharp uniforms dutifully pounding fresh ink onto every page of our passports as we made 8 or 9 rail border crossings.
I was disappointed when the only time our passports were actually checked was in the tunnel between Turin, Italy and Chamberry, France.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Well, I've now been back a week, expenses all tallied up, American Express paid, and back to the world from "Disneyland on the Salt".
As noted, at least to me, security was no more visible or intrusive than on previous trips. Pairs of Poliezi would hop on and off trains, but even Amtrak Police do that. No hordes of refugees were seen - only thing noted was a free Wi-Fi hotspot identified for such. I noted very few women dressed in the hijab or burkas. On that point, at Starbucks one morning, I talked with two Middle Eastern English speaking girls who said they were from Teheran - "uh not exactly" dressed how the Ayatollah would have preferred (they are fascinated by and really don't hate the USA)!
There was no greater visible security at the three concerts I attended than in past. I at least expected metal detectors and a poke into handbags (I had one for the program, hat - I'm never outside without one, and my dress or walking shoes).
The biking trail I noted earlier goes all the way to St. Anton. Funny how all cyclists noted were traveling West, or downstream.
Now for the best; an upgrade to Global First for the return!! Nevermind, at a public forum, "who knew who" for that.
notelvis Member # 3071
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Encouraging that things 'over there' are more or less 'normal'. I had begun to wonder with last summers' refugee news and more recent acts of violence reported widely 'over here'.
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