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Speedy Euro Trains Come with Killer Views and Smashed Birds

After lots of 2004 rail travel, Rick Steves picked up a few tips to go with a few photos:

Europe's slick new generation of trains is faster than ever. They didn't use to screech into stations with birds smashed onto their windshields. Europe's slick new generation of trains are faster than ever. They didn't use to screech into stations with birds smashed onto their windshields.
We treated the most scenic Alpine train rides as sights or destinations in themselves.
In researching our new Switzerland guidebook, we treated the most scenic Alpine train rides as sights or destinations in themselves.
Come with bubble tops...
New panorama trains...come with bubble tops...
And even a chance to sit in the extreme front with only a giant window between you and all that natural wonder (Rick Steves' Switzerland 2005 is arriving in mid-October).
See through cockpits... ...and even a chance to sit in the extreme front with only a giant window between you and all that natural wonder (Rick Steves' Switzerland 2005 is arriving in mid-October).
While Europe is going to great lengths to protect the safety of its rail travelers, the only noticeable inconvenience is for your luggage. On trains you may find the end of the car luggage racks closed off requiring each passenger to keep his or her luggage in the overhead storage area above the seat. While Europe is going to great lengths to protect the safety of its rail travelers, the only noticeable inconvenience is for your luggage. On trains you may find the end of the car luggage racks closed off requiring each passenger to keep his or her luggage in the overhead storage area above the seat.
Those needing to check bags at the train station may find higher prices and airport-type x-ray machines. In Marseilles I had to carry my lap top with me all day because - for security reasons — they wouldn't check in laptops. In Durham I had to leave my bag in the station master's room because - for security reasons - lockers weren't in use. But generally, you can stow your bag in a locker as in pre-9/11 days.
Personally, I wonder if all those mysterious white touristy choo-choo trains with their spooky-looking engineers aren't some kind of Al-Qaeda initiative. You see them in key locations everywhere in Europe these days and no one seems concerned. Personally, I wonder if all those mysterious white touristy choo-choo trains with their spooky-looking engineers aren't some kind of Al Queda initiative. You see them in key locations everywhere in Europe these days and no body seems concerned.
Perhaps the biggest risk in rail travel these days is the fake good sandwich. Train station sandwich shops selling to travelers they'll never see again have little concern for quality. The sandwiches when closed seem to promise a crunchy little salad of fresh cucumbers, peppers and lettuce. Open the lid and learn the real story. At Europe's train station sandwich shops, let the sandwich buyer beware.

Check out all the information on rail travel here!