>... we didn't notice that part of the train went on to Germany and part did not and had to run for the right section as the train pulled out.<

Once upon a time, I was travelling to Copenhagen and had to get off outside Amsterdam to wait for the next train, becuase the one I was on went to Berlin and Warsaw.

There was a group of Americans also going to Copenhagen.

As the train pulled in to the small station, I mentioned that here is where we got off to change for the next train.

They assured me that I was wrong.

The last I saw of them, they were on a nonstop express to Berlin.

Good story, Ira. I can see that happening to me (being the ones on the wrong train, that is).

csroe - thanks for the input. I did not realize I could print a detailed schedule that shows all the stops. I will have to go the web site and try it. That is a great idea! Thanks for the good wishes, and I am sorry for your mom's health problems.

This is the third try for Europe for my mom and I. We were trying for France before but the 1st time my grandma became ill, and the second time we had to cancel as I developed an auto immune disease that took a while to get under control. Since we leave May31 it looks like third time...and Italy...is the charm!

Funny story, ira! My fear is that will be me!

Being in the wrong cars happened to my daughter and her friends, on the train from Venice to Saltzburg. They didn't know about it til the conductor came by, then had to schlep through 10 cars or so, including the dining car, with all their luggage. At one point they were all en route and left one girl's bags in the compartment...then couldn't find it. (til almost too late)

They laugh about it now - one of their favorite traveling tales. That, and the hand towels in Italy that were supposed to be bath towels. Oh, and putting money into what they thought was a phone card ticket booth and was a parking meter!

One doesn't <i>actually</i> have to schlep through ten cars. When the train stops to split, you can jump off and get to the other section in plenty of time - the station stop is several minutes, as usual (or even longer, because it takes a while to uncouple the cars).

The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European rail timetable. This shows a connection from Fuessen 1106, stopping train with a trolley but no buffet car, Munich, 1107 to 1126, restaurant car, non-stop express, seat bookings optional, Salzburg 1254, and two hours later another, Fuessen 1106, stopping train with a trolley but no buffet car, Munich, 1307 to 1327, restaurant car, non-stop express, seat bookings optional, Salzburg 1554. Lunch is good in the restaurant cars, with views over the meadows of upper Bavaria, or you can put your bags on a trolley at Munich, wheel along to the sales stands, and buy a picnic lunch.
For a general review of rail travel please set Google to Man on Seat 61, then Austria.

Ben Haines, London
[email protected]