We have traveled with larger luggage on trains (was just one long trip but there was a change. We each had a 26" bag and a small carry-on (no wheelie - shoulder type). And we were able to change trains in about 6 minutes. BUT we had a system - since there were 4 of us. We were at the door of the train when it came in and the 2 men handed the large bags down and then pulled them briskly down the ramp and then up the ramp for the next train. (We had asked the conductor what track we would need while on the first train). My SIL and I carried the 4 carry-ons and our purses and followed right behind. When we got to the next train my SIL and I got on the train first. One guy stayed on the ground and handed the large bags up to the other guy on the train - he pushed it behind him to me and I pushed it behind me to my SIL. We made it with no trouble. We had no trouble finding room for the luggage since we were traveling first class.

But we did see a couple who were on the first train with us - and had not been ready to get off immediately and had a lot of luggage - starting to struggle up the ramp with their stuff after we had finished boarding and were arranging our luggage. I don;t know if they made the train or not.

Sorry for my remark earlier. I figure our bags would be heavier with souvenirs from France after being there for a little more than a week. We are going to try our hardest to pack light so we don't have to lug our bags around with too much weight :)

I will check out the SNCF site and compare fares. Thanks for that tip!

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Time to go buy the fares before we leave.

"<i>We are going to try our hardest to pack light </i>"

Good for you :) I was just worried you might not realize how much trouble big bags can be. But it sounds like you have things under control.

And I do think you can make those short connections. I've made some 2 and 3 minute ones -- but did sweat it a couple of times.

Stationmasters are on the lookout for stragglers. I thought that it was one of the main reasons for their existence.

Some of you make it sound like these trains are completely automatic and operate without any regard for the passengers. They want to make sure that people do not dawdle, but they don't shut the door in your face (except on commuter trains in Paris!).

Physically changing trains can take just 90 seconds to maybe 3 minutes.

The bigger issue is allowing for delay. Even a service which runs to 90% on time or within 15 minutes will miss a 17 minute connection 5% of the time.

However, in this case I think you'll be on a connection between a mainline train and a local, and the local may well be held for a few minutes if the first train is late. Assuming it's a regular service, you'll always be able to hop on the next train if you miss it.