German railways to run train through Channel Tunnel

In relation to the Olympic thing, I'm a little suspicious it's a money making exercise . . . it's a lot of people to ferry into St Pancras and then back out to where they were a few minutes earlier - at what, I bet not far short of a tenner a pop.

I think the majority of Javelin passengers are expected to be Londoners or people arriving at Kings X/St.Pancras from the North.

All good stuff , and it has been planned for a while now - I would give the DB a very high rating for the overall quality of their food too - you can get a decent hot meal even on a Saturday lunchtime (though heavily meat orientated of course) , definatly the way forward in bringing London - Cologne down to around 5 and a half hours (you can change there for virtually everywhere in Germany)

It's not direct - you have to change trains in Lunnun.

Apparently a test was carried out in the tunnel on Wednesday, with one of the new DB trains:

http://www.france24.com/en/20101013-german-train-makes-first-channel-tunnel-test-trip

(there is rumoured to be a video on the Eurotunnel website but I can't find it)

That engine looks

How anything bright red can be sad is beyond me!

The wipers make it look forlorn, and the front is a sad little face. I want to cuddle him. Can I cuddle him?

Yes.
Just make sure he's not moving when you try to cuddle him!

If you comply with the relevant safety regulations and do so under the full supervision of the foreman, yes.

I have a first-hand report that the DB train is sitting in St Pancras just now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11567753

Yes. This is nice. Very nice I'd like to go to Cologne

Osssum. Looks right at home there.

Amsterdam in four hours, no plane, no changing. Aces.

Can't wait to see the departure board with many more cities on it.

Dam in 4 hours! Cracking. And the discounts I get on trains are loads better than flights!!!!

It's such a good idea. I would much rather travel by train than short haul flights.

should be about €80 one-way to Amsterdam, if you travel off peak and book ahead (this is just making a quick comparison with existing E*, Thalys and DB fares between here, Brussels and 'dam)

Absolutely - have done St. Pancras to Amsterdam changing to the Thalys at Brussels and it is really no hassle but will be faster and even easier on a direct route.

Plus being able to go direct to Germany may actually encourage me to get off my arse and book a holiday there which I have been meaning to do for ages.

Plus it is a very 'handsome' looking train!

Just had a looksee at London-'Dam prices, and it's still eye watering - cheapest tickets, at the far end of the booking period were £175 each way. That was a planned booking via E*, am investigating DB right now...only you need to phone them cos it's 'Abroad Tariff'...

You want Thalys for Paris-Dam

Eight and a half hours (plus change stations with all your luggage) from Edinburgh.

Direct flight one hour - no contest.

The Chunnel is only relevant if you live south of Watford.

So you reckon it's cheaper LSP-GdN-AmC? I was going for the 1 stop at Bruxelles Midi approach...

Oops, forgot about brussels

We weren't talking about Edinburgh, but thanks for your input

Herzlich Wilkommen Tomas die Dampfmaschine.

Anyway, Kyser, this tells you everything you need to know:

http://www.seat61.com/Netherlands.htm

If AS and I were going to Amsterdam, I'd choose the train+ferry. £70 return each, plus £37 between the two of us for a cabin on the ferry. Boats are fun, and you arrive in 'dam at 0917 without having to spend on a hotel the night before

Dammit, I keep forgetting about seat61...