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I saw an interview of the Eurostar group post-merger that it is envisioned to unify the fleet around quad-voltage 16-car Siemens Velaros and phase out these TGV sets.

@Wenel

3 ай бұрын

do you have any link of that please?

17:55 it is nothing to be surprised about, thalys is majority owned by sncf, meaning that sncf basically had a monopoly on all routes between brussels and paris, and in 30 years time, they have increased the price over and over again, without increasing capacity at all.

@Marchanthof

3 ай бұрын

Yeah it sucks. Hopefully Trenitalia makes their plans for daily trains between Amsterdam and Paris via Brussels a reality. They already ordered the Frecciarossa trains capable of running on the routes, so I am in high hopes. There are other operators with plans too, so let's hope!

@melaniedrogr951

3 ай бұрын

I really hope trenitalia manages to do so. But france currently trying to do everything it can to keep any competition off from their tracks (including asking a far higher railway usage fee than sncf has to pay). And belgium is also trying to stop it, in part because they have eurstar shares (I have a sneeking suspicion that that was the reason blegium forced the regular intercity from anmsterdam to brussels to make a 30 min detour in Belgium) and in part because the railways between brussels and antwerp are overburdened already. I h

@AL5520

3 ай бұрын

@@melaniedrogr951 It's the same in this triangle as The Netherlands (that illegally renewed the NS for passenger transport services without opening it to open access with only international trains will be open access, Belgium does it's things and France is the king of delays and tricks. I'm from Spain and they basically block us from connecting to the rest of Europe. Renfe, after years of operating (under SNCF, but with renfe trains and staff) was blocked for a long time dragged with a long "certification" process until they finally managed to operate lines to Marseille and Lyon, but not Paris, that was delayed until this Spring, which was delayed again to the autumn (100% to prevent them operating these trains during the Olympics). Not to mention them dragging their feet for decades refusing to finish the high speed connection to Barcelona (between Nimes and Perpignan trains use the regular slow and congested lines) and to Irun, in Basque Country. they also backed from their agreement to reopen the connection through Canfranc. They also give OBB a hard time which might postponed the planned December connection between Zürich and Barcelona of the Nightjet due to "certification".

@DrErikEvrard

3 ай бұрын

During the Olympic Games in Paris you can take a classical NMBS/SNCB train between Brussels and Paris, too. Personally, living in Ghent, Belgium, I always take a classical train to Lille Flandres (which is very cheap) and change to an SNCF TGV InOui to Paris. There are many trains, and very dynamic prices. This is usually a lot cheaper than taking a red Eurostar, and for me it's not even slower.

@AL5520

3 ай бұрын

@@DrErikEvrard This is actually an example of the non competitive practices as this service is part of an agreement between the two national operators while blocking others from operating similar services. Instead of SNSF competing with NMBS/SNCB they created a de facto monopoly, just like the Eurostar (which is also owned by SNCF AND MBS/SNCB together with Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, that has tite connections with SNCF) that has exclusivity on the Channel Tunnel and now the Thalys services. There are plenty of operators that want's to compete but cannot, from renfe, to TrenItalia, to Iryo and more. There are plenty of planes to enter that area and I hope they will arrive but the fact is that this triangle of countries is doing everything it can do delay it as much as possible.

Amsterdam Zuid Station is currently being converted into an international train station. All international trains will then depart from South station to relieve Amsterdam Central Station, but also because there is little room for a customs area at Central Station. In addition, Amsterdam Station Zuid is located in the heart of Greater Amsterdam. Amsterdam CS is located more in the north of Amsterdam.

@mdhazeldine

3 ай бұрын

I thought that was just a temporary thing, while Amsterdam Centraal was being renovated. Will it be permanent?

@Keikdv

3 ай бұрын

@@mdhazeldine Yess. Central is rebuilt for through traffic inside the Netherlands. Long standing international trains conflict that. Only ICE will go to/from Central. From the Zuid station, the international trains can reach Watergraafsmeer where they are serviced without interfering with local trains. "You need the Metro to get into the citycentre wich is the destignation for most travellers anyway" (they say, not my opinion)

@nanderv

3 ай бұрын

@@Keikdv I thought Eurostar is also moving back to Centraal eventually, with mostly the ICDirect trains all going through Zuid?

The reason why the barcode is not working on the gates to platform in the Netherlands is often that NFC is activated on the phone. So the system thinks you have a travel card with nfc chip. Switch it off on the phone, and the barcode works usually. I had the same problem with online international tickets in the Deutsche Bahn app.

Did you notice that as soon as the train passes the border with Belgium, the speed goes down form 300 to 150 - 160 km/h, despite that this is a high speed line? I travel to Brussels almost weekly. It is not incidental.

@Keikdv

3 ай бұрын

there is no HSL between Atwerp and Brussels. Only upgraded ones and a small route without stations or crossings between Mechelen and Schaerbeek.

@weetjeweetje4054

3 ай бұрын

@@Keikdv I know, but I wasn't referring to the Antwerp to Brussels part (see: "As soon as the train passes the border with Belgium ...").

@jlust6660

3 ай бұрын

Weird, I travel this line frequently as well, my trains usually keep up the speed until they're quite close to Antwerp

@weetjeweetje4054

3 ай бұрын

@@jlust6660 Maybe it depends on the time of the day. I always take the first train in the morning, and it happens every time. Again 2 days ago (9 Apr). We went quickly to 300 km/h once we left Rotterdam. Then we passed the border and the speed went down to 157 km/h (checked it).

@jlust6660

3 ай бұрын

@@weetjeweetje4054 Perhaps, I am usually on a train in the late afternoon to early evening, and we definitely tend to keep up our speed until past Noorderkempen and up to pretty close to Luchtbal. And the times we didn't maintain the line speed, the border crossing wasn't a significant factor, only delays blocking or messing up the sequencing between trains

Earlier incident: Bridge has a permanent 80km/h limit due to problems with the bridgeheads. There multiple bridges with the same design all have a 120 km/h limit. Only the southern part and the part between the Groene Hart Tunnel - Rotterdam is high speed, but the train can only reach 200'ish. They "hope" that in 2025 they can do a mind boggelling 160 again on the bridge part. Also technically you can buy a ticket on the Eurostar Red for Amsterdam Rotterdam only, it's way more expensive though so noboddy does it.

It still feels cramped. Nice video, keep it up. I also found the Amsterdam London link cramped.

Eurostar and Thalys were both basically divisions of SNCF, so nothing has really changed except the name on the trains, and I guess your experience confirms that.

To my experience the merger created unnecessary confusion with infrequent travellers, removed the attractive cheaper fares on some off-peak trains, downgraded the Thalys loyalty program and solved none of the issues I have with the refurbished ruby sets. It's a shame really, I used to really like travelling with these trains.

As usual, very nice video 📹. Always look forward to it. 😊

12:37 As someone from Belgium, that is very sad that it happens.😊

@Keikdv

3 ай бұрын

forgot about the homeless that causes problems in/around Brussels stations??

@RAILEXCELLENCE2011

3 ай бұрын

@@KeikdvEven that is very sad of Belgium 😢

@Hepad_

3 ай бұрын

@@Keikdv it's funny, I'd use another noun to describe them

Having recently passed through Amsterdam Centraal several times that work around platform 1 gives all sorts of issues in particular if you are entering or exiting towards the trams (more construction work). This time I took the NS/SNCB service to Antwerp. The pricing difference can be pretty substantial although loadings can be heavy on the regular IC services. I did notice many delays on the Eurostar/Thalys services while in the Netherlands, and South of Antwerp. My guess is that the experience on the ‘new’ Eurostar services will become more of an issue when the London-Amsterdam Eurostar services are impacted by the work at Amsterdam Centraal and they have to pick up even more southbound passengers. Seat availability, at least at short notice might become an issue?

Thank you for sharing. I've always wanted to try riding the Eurostar❤ By the way I know a discount can find cheaper train tickets, if someone needs, I am happy to share🎉

I think it's sad and criminal what Eurostar is doing. Low effort, high prices, same trains and interiors. I really hope good and strong competition can enter the market and challenge Eurostar since more and more people want to travel by train but no one in their right mind would choose £130 rail fare vs £10 airfare. And it's a shame.

Question - if on "red Eurostar" and using the café car, should I pay in pounds or euros? I know on "blue Eurostar" paying in pounds is normally best.

@Keikdv

3 ай бұрын

Red Eurostars does not run into UK so only Euro. (Not my opinion, Eurostar's policy). Blue has both options.

one thing they should fix is the boarding every time I see it while train spotting the boarding looks like a nightmare it probably is and we cant forget all the confusion whit it also being named Eurostar

i like your train videos at the most because of all the informations

Thanks very enjoyable video 👍

The "Accessible" toilets on Thalys / Eurostar Red are totally inaccessible and unusable by wheelchair users.

11:31 Did anyone notice that guy that has the word « France » on the t shirt?😊

You didn't past the Rijn-Schelde kanaal shortly after Rotterdam ... but the Hollands Diep ...

@OMtheRails

3 ай бұрын

I know, I said it was the Hollands Diep in the video...

Those trains are filthy, overpriced and worn out. I should remember to bring a pillow to sit on next time.

The train looks OK. Branding is understandably not fully changed over yet. It takes time. Shame about the price going up though. Competition on these routes is sorely needed. I hear there are multiple companies coming up with plans for it. Hopefully at least one of them succeeds. We need an Iryo type of service to kick Eurostar up the butt and make the whole thing more competitive with air travel.

@vijfsnippervijf

3 ай бұрын

I disagree with any statements about competition other than that all international trains to, from in and Europe should have one singular brand to ensure that booking and delay compensation are made as simply as possible, among other things…

@mdhazeldine

3 ай бұрын

@@vijfsnippervijf I am against privatised operation for local transport because it's not really possible or practical to have competing companies and doesn't really benefit anyone, however, I think long distance and international is a totally different matter because timing and frequency are less important and it's possible to have multiple operators compete on the same route and keep quality high and prices low, which is good for the consumer.

What app for the speed?

@aocxe

3 ай бұрын

@RAILEXCELLENCE2011 ah my bad didn't notice it!

What's the speed app you use?

@Keikdv

3 ай бұрын

07:53 read

Great video.....I would like to take Thalys from Cologne to Paris with my First Class Eurail pass. Anyone know the reservation fee? For first class

@slasherfun

3 ай бұрын

30€

@ringo7561

3 ай бұрын

@slasherfun Thanks, does that include a meal....in first class?

just subscribed, it's a fantasic video

Your information about VPN is not complete. If you are not coming from UK it is not possible to see programs from the BBC!

It is still that price to Disneyland!

I never had an issue with the services of Thalys, it brought me where I needed to be and on time (most of the time) but their livery and interior is one of the ugliest in Europe.The new interior looks slightly better but still nothing to write home about.Dutch trains used to have that ugly red for their seats as well in some trains (long ago) and I am so happy they ditched it...also long ago.

@Keikdv

3 ай бұрын

Most Dutch trains on long disrance (VIRM) still has RED for 1 class and BLUE for second. Never ditched it, even brought it into the new ICNG (02:10)

Sncf being the pain in high speed travel

Thalys sucked and so does Eurostar (red),… only at a much higher price!

Half of the seats are facing backward So 💩

@Keikdv

3 ай бұрын

Normal on most European High Speed Trains. You can get a seat on DB's ICE with NO window...

@Hahlen

3 ай бұрын

That’s pretty normal on most trains lol. They’re not like planes, they can go in both directions

@Hepad_

3 ай бұрын

Well of course, if you choose a side that means you have one way where everybody is facing backward

Thalys was SO TERRIBLE! Until 2022, it was the only "high speed" train I had been on in Europe and it was just embarrassing.

@benharris8013

3 ай бұрын

What’re you comparing it to then?

@scotty241991

3 ай бұрын

@@benharris8013 lol