Welcome to today's thread - #CrossBorderRail 2026 Tour Day 31 - 4 May - Rimini - Bologna - Milano - Lugano - Basel - Strasbourg
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@notsoloud @jon local/regional media are so under-staffed that they often don’t have the time to do much else than copy press releases into articles; include a picture with the press release and they’re likely to post it as-is, too
@mkoek @notsoloud SWR ought to manage a bit better!
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Welcome to today's thread - #CrossBorderRail 2026 Tour Day 31 - 4 May - Rimini - Bologna - Milano - Lugano - Basel - Strasbourg
Borders already crossed:
Chiasso VG
- Como S. Giovanni 
Basel St Johann
- St. Louis 
Kehl
- Krimmeri-Meinau 
First to Bologna for a breakfast meeting, then north across the Gotthard pass for the second time in just over a month. Today’s destination: Strasbourg to test a Régiolis.
Today's routes on the routes map:
https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-2026-spring-tour_1361108#7/46.369674/9.920654@jon Random thought, could some writing on what makes good cross border rail crossings work well be an addition to the map/database/articles/etc? Examples to be inspired by. There are different ways to make it work and maybe that could be an angle to add.
(Assuming this would have to happen as part of something that provides funding of course.)
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Also some panel in the interior of this ex-FYRA ETR700 is vibrating and rattling. Makes for a rather loud journey.
@jon panels coming off was one of the reasons for NS to return the Fyra to its maker I recall.
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@mkoek @notsoloud SWR ought to manage a bit better!
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@jon Random thought, could some writing on what makes good cross border rail crossings work well be an addition to the map/database/articles/etc? Examples to be inspired by. There are different ways to make it work and maybe that could be an angle to add.
(Assuming this would have to happen as part of something that provides funding of course.)
@stefanlindbohm Yes. When I have time

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#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour Train 103 of 125
FR 8802
06:10 Rimini - Bologna Centrale 07:15
TrenitaliaTrain type: AnsaldoBreda ETR 700, 8 carriages
️ (3kV dc)
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️
🦽:
(lift on platform)
🛜:
(requires registration - annoying)
️: 
🧳:
(lousy for large luggage)
🧽:
Interrail:
(needs compulsory reservation, costs €13)@jon This is not an attractive train. It looks like it was designed by committee decisions.
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#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour Train 103 of 125
FR 8802
06:10 Rimini - Bologna Centrale 07:15
TrenitaliaTrain type: AnsaldoBreda ETR 700, 8 carriages
️ (3kV dc)
:
️
🦽:
(lift on platform)
🛜:
(requires registration - annoying)
️: 
🧳:
(lousy for large luggage)
🧽:
Interrail:
(needs compulsory reservation, costs €13)@jon Curious what you meant with the yes/no logo for bicycles? I don't remember any official bicycle spots on the ETR 700 but maybe I didn't check well or they changed the layout since then?
As usual, luggage space is rather cramped on Italian high-speed trains... It's ok when the service isn't busy: https://cycling-on-rails.com/train-bicycle-guide/italy/#etr-700-frecciarossa
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@jon Curious what you meant with the yes/no logo for bicycles? I don't remember any official bicycle spots on the ETR 700 but maybe I didn't check well or they changed the layout since then?
As usual, luggage space is rather cramped on Italian high-speed trains... It's ok when the service isn't busy: https://cycling-on-rails.com/train-bicycle-guide/italy/#etr-700-frecciarossa
@cycling_on_rails it’s an error. It’s a no. I forgot to delete.
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According to @hopla it looks like Régiolis is actually running France - Germany today, as planned https://zug.network/@hopla/116514407465211628
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@simonschre @q @hopla using Régiolis on electrified lines is obvious. But then why not Saarbrücken - Forbach too?
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@simonschre @q @hopla using Régiolis on electrified lines is obvious. But then why not Saarbrücken - Forbach too?
@jon @simonschre @q @hopla I am under the impression that the depot in Metz does not have any experience with the Régiolis as of now.
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@jon @simonschre @q @hopla I am under the impression that the depot in Metz does not have any experience with the Régiolis as of now.
@smveerman @simonschre @q @hopla it has some Régiolis there, but not the ones foreseen for cross border operations (I think). But Hopla can likely confirm.
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@jon @q the Strasbourg Offenburg are all dependent from Strasbourg workshops and agents.
The Mulhouse-Müllheim-Freiburg are engines "lended" to Mulhouse workshop, and currently operated by Strasbourg agents. I deem it unlikely that Mulhouse agents get to drive them in the near future, too few Germany-able agents in Alsace-Moselle.
What's also not helping is that the security certificate for these trains is held by DB Regio BW, who don't employ France -able drivers. Unlike, say, DB Regio Mitte... -
@smveerman @simonschre @q @hopla it has some Régiolis there, but not the ones foreseen for cross border operations (I think). But Hopla can likely confirm.
@jon @smveerman @simonschre @q it was a plan for the Metz-Trier trains yes, dunno how far along they are on the Metz side. Not sure if they even have Germany -able drivers in Metz, and instead those trains get done by Sarreguemines drivers just like the Forbach-Saarbrücken?
