Railroads - Time Flies and Drinks Flow on German High-Speed Rail - by Dave Demerjian
Germany's high-speed rail system whisks passengers around the country at more than 186 mph, providing a convenient and cost-effective alternative to driving and flying. It's fast, it's efficient and many rail advocates say it's an excellent model for high-speed rail in America. At the heart of the system are nine north-south lines and three main east-west lines with tributaries serving destinations that include Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Zurich and Innsbruck. Shuttlelike "sprinter" services connects major business routes like Frankfurt-Berlin and Koln-Munchen, making it easy to go almost anywhere by rail. The system is widely considered on par with the Shinkasen in Japan and TGV in France. A recent trip to Europe provided an opportunity to see what train travel on the Continent is like and whether it lives up to the hype. the high-speed Intercity Express (aka ICE), is Nordstrom. I booked the cheapest ticket I could find ($160) but found myself in 1 Klasse, or first class. It puts the airlines to shame, what with the plush leather seats, oak tables, high ceilings and sparkling glass doors. A little voice inside my head thought it was a bit extreme, but it was quickly drowned out by a uniformed Deutsche Bahn attendant politely asking if I'd care for a drink and offering a selection of complimentary newspapers. Later, I was served a meal on real china with proper flatware. The experience underscored how miserable air travel can be. I had plenty of space for my bulky bag, and the legroom — imagine that! legroom! — was like nothing I've experienced on a commercial flight. The experience was calming and relaxing, with passengers whiling away the time reading, tapping away at laptops, or sleeping in comfortable reclining seats. A glowing sign at the front of the car informed us of our speed and arrival time. For the next five hours I glided through Germany and into Austria on the smoothest, quietest train I’ve ever experienced, sipping German beer in frosty glasses most of the way.
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