Here's today's #CrossBorderRail intro video https://peertube.netzbegruenung.de/w/q43wxMi1MiPck4MhZM2qZT

Musing about bumpy ride quality on trains this morning

As ever I am on a Régiolis EMU to Paris this morning - an Alstom design, now owned by CAF

These trains have a rather jerky, bumpy sort of ride, and the suspension makes clanking noises all the time (not just today)

Are the jabobs bogies between carriages poorly designed?

Wdyt @hopla @wrzlbrnft ?

@jon (the design of the Coradia Polyvalent is still Alstom and AFAIK so is the software maintenance, but the assembly and hardware maintenance is contracted to CAF Reichshoffen as part of the Alstom-Bombardier merger deal -the latter having an assembly workshop in Crespin)

The Régiolis' suspensions are kinda "harder" than those of the AGC, they usually hold rather well very bumpy tracks such as the Bruyères - Arches line (whereas on AGC one can feel sometimes metal hitting metal in the suspensions). That is, as long the air pressure is nominal, the air cushion in good state and the train not overloaded. I'm unaware if there's a difference in design between bimode (+fuel weight) and pure electric in that aspect. I'd need to experience it to judge if that's abnormal noise/movement ^^

@jon (the design of the Coradia Polyvalent is still Alstom and AFAIK so is the software maintenance, but the assembly and hardware maintenance is contracted to CAF Reichshoffen as part of the Alstom-Bombardier merger deal -the latter having an assembly workshop in Crespin)

The Régiolis' suspensions are kinda "harder" than those of the AGC, they usually hold rather well very bumpy tracks such as the Bruyères - Arches line (whereas on AGC one can feel sometimes metal hitting metal in the suspensions). That is, as long the air pressure is nominal, the air cushion in good state and the train not overloaded. I'm unaware if there's a difference in design between bimode (+fuel weight) and pure electric in that aspect. I'd need to experience it to judge if that's abnormal noise/movement ^^

@hopla I am not sure the AGC is much different, or at least not better! Those also rock sideways more!

@hopla Also it must be said that this line ought to be an Intercités really. The Régiolis does a steady 150km/h for long sections here. And it is not really designed as that sort of train...

@jon the Coradia Liner wouldn't differ much in terms of design on that aspect I guess.. but as newer intercités rolling stock there's Oxygène (entirely CAF design IIRC, I know relatively little about it except it's to be built in Reichshoffen too)

Waving metaphorically to @ffeth at Sens

Made it across Paris in one piece

The city might have solid bike infrastructure, but damn many cyclists here are annoying, or have death wishes, or both

Made it across Paris in one piece

The city might have solid bike infrastructure, but damn many cyclists here are annoying, or have death wishes, or both

And while Paris Nord is often associated with nasty train boarding experiences, it is an amazing station if you have time and calm to appreciate it

@hopla CAF‘s Media Distancia EMUs in Spain are horrid. I hope they install better suspension!

And while Paris Nord is often associated with nasty train boarding experiences, it is an amazing station if you have time and calm to appreciate it

And while Paris Nord is often associated with nasty train boarding experiences, it is an amazing station if you have time and calm to appreciate it

#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour Train 14 of 80
TGV 7025
10:12 Paris Nord - Lille Flandres 11:18
SNCF Voyageurs

Train type: Alstom TGV Duplex, 8 short double deck carriages, 2 power cars
️ (25kV ac)
: ️
🦽: (step free, then lift down inside)
🛜:
️: ️ (there is a dining car but it’s not open)
🧳: (it’s empty today, so it’s passable)
🧽:
Interrail: (needs compulsory reservation, costs at least €10)

TGV 7025
10:12 Paris Nord - Lille Flandres 11:18

Distance: 225.2km
Average speed: 205km/h

1 stops:
Lille Flandres

This train, mapped: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-2026-spring-tour_1361108#8/50.097679/2.449951

#CrossBorderRail

I meanwhile wondered if SNCF Connect has finally put their problem of their lack of international booking right... so I tried Paris - Mainz

Type Mainz into DB and it gives you Mainz Hbf as the first option in the search

SNCF Connect calls Mainz Hbf "Mayence (Mainz)" but drops Hbf. Put Hbf and it gives you Hbf (Ersatzverkehr). What?

Made it across Paris in one piece

The city might have solid bike infrastructure, but damn many cyclists here are annoying, or have death wishes, or both

And if you put Mainz and choose "Ville" from the list, not "Gare", it gives you routes to Mainz Römisches Theater, changing at Bad Munster am Stein

Obviously ‍️

I presume because Römisches Theater is closest to the geographical centre of Mainz?

I meanwhile wondered if SNCF Connect has finally put their problem of their lack of international booking right... so I tried Paris - Mainz

Type Mainz into DB and it gives you Mainz Hbf as the first option in the search

SNCF Connect calls Mainz Hbf "Mayence (Mainz)" but drops Hbf. Put Hbf and it gives you Hbf (Ersatzverkehr). What?