Christina

I have had a fully packed 25 inch suitcase and it sure didn't wear 60 pounds--it weighed about 38. It is not a super-light frame model, either, which would help. I just weighed it as I was thinking of using it on my last Eur. train vacation, and the suitcase alone weighed about 15 pounds.

I think someone who thinks 45-50 pounds weight is "huge" and couldn't lift it should be doing some exercise and lifting weights more. I'm just an avg. size female and I can do it. I do lift weights, however, as exercise. I would not want to walk around my house a long time lifting that up, but what's the point in that, I've never had to do such a thing with luggage in my life. You may have to lift it up in a few seconds, but not carry it around in your arms for a long time.

Anyway, I didn't take it on this trip, but in my experience, the depth of the rack is the big issue. I don't remember Thalys luggage rack setups as I didn't have any since I only took it on a day trip, but on some French TGV trains, even in first class, the overhead luggage racks are too small for even a 21-22" suitcase. They are only good for totes or day packs.

I just took a trip where I did take a lot of trains so I took a 22" plus a large tote bag. That worked out pretty good. I did have to put that 22" inch up on the racks in Polish trains, and it was fine. I think a 25" would have fit on them, but you never know. If there is room, I always prefer to leave a suitcase of 22" or more on the ground, not put it up on a rack. There's usually space somewhere in a luggage storage area or between seats.

tuscanlifeedit

Well, call me paranoid but we use our lightweight cable with lock to secure our luggage on trains. There have been times when the overhead was full, or we had back problems and didn't want to lift it above our poor old heads. We got ours at travel store.