u/options_go_brrr

Riding around on public transit! Overall a very well connected system with a discounted 24 hour fare due to the heat wave in effect (€5.90 I believe)

Some highlights:

- There is no underground passage between Gare de Lyon and Gare d’Austerlitz, although the official map seems to indicate a connection
- Fake control board at the end of some cars
- The 14 is very smooth, fast, and well air-conditioned (as many have said)
- Fire alarm went off and evacuation warning started on the speaker when I was at Nation, no one was evacuating so I just got on the train and all was fine
- This was during the heat wave, most trains were temperate but still rather hot

Here is my route for those interested:

RER-B from CDG T2 to Luxembourg (dropped off bags at a friends place)
4 from Odeon to Chatelet (walked around)
1 from Louvre-Rivoli to Chatelet
14 from Chatelet to Bercy
6 from Bercy to Nation
1 from Nation to Gare de Lyon (tried crossing to Gare d’Austerlitz, failed and went back 😔 )
1 from Gare de Lyon to Concorde
12 from Concorde to Rennes

Saw this at Gare de Lyon, seems like an amazing idea especially for lines connecting to airports. Has anyone seen these anywhere else?

… and it was amazing!

Beautiful views over the treetops during sunset, we hit max speed on a number of portions of the track, and the view is unobstructed due to the elevated track almost all the way from Bois Franc to Anse-à-l’Orme!

Also, a number of commuters seem to already be taking advantage of this new segment of track, increasing ridership and adding 14km of track + four new stations to the system. The system now has 64km of track and 23 stations.

Can’t wait for the REM to connect to the airport in the final planned extension!

… and it was amazing!

Beautiful views over the treetops during sunset, we hit max speed on a number of portions of the track, and the view is unobstructed due to the elevated track almost all the way from Bois Franc to Anse-à-l’Orme!

Also, a number of commuters seem to already be taking advantage of this new segment of track, increasing ridership and adding 14km of track and four new stations to the system. The system now has 64km of track and 23 stations.

Can’t wait for the REM to connect to the airport in the final planned extension!

In one of the onboard talks on the Canadian (Toronto to Vancouver), an employee mentioned that we would be seeing a number of deteriorating poles along the side of the track which were telegraph lines used for communicating between stations.

Apparently the government decided it was too expensive to remove them and has left them to succumb to the elements. Some were even submerged in water (didn't get a photo) but since there is no electricity running anymore it's not a hazard.

I found that all pretty interesting so I took some photos!

Onboard the VIA Rail Canadian (Toronto to Vancouver), an employee mentioned that we would be seeing a number of deteriorating poles along the side of the track which were telegraph lines used for communicating between stations.

Apparently the government decided it was too expensive to remove them and has left them to succumb to the elements. Some were even submerged in water (didn't get a photo) but since there is no electricity running anymore it's not a hazard.

I found that all pretty interesting so I took some photos!

Took VIA up to Edmonton but didn't get a chance to ride the metro, what's it like?

First time riding VIA rail in the Montreal - Toronto Corridor, very impressed!

Modern and clean interiors, digital displays (live speedometer was a nice touch), comfy seats, and beautiful views of Lake Ontario.

Total trip time: 6h22m due to delays (driving is 5h30m without stops)