Jon WorthMar 12

Welcome to today's thread - #CrossBorderRail 2026 Tour Day 13 - 12 Mar - Trieste - Milano - Zürich - Dijon - Ravières

New borders:
None

Borders already crossed:
Chiasso VG 🇨🇭 - Como S. Giovanni 🇮🇹
Basel St Johann 🇨🇭 - St. Louis 🇫🇷

Trieste to Ravières in a day. But due to France having such lousy timetables, this routes through Switzerland. It is ages since I crossed northern Italy by train, so I am looking forward to these trips!

Today's routes on the routes map:
https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-2026-spring-tour_1361108#8/46.590957/8.992310

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

Here's today's #CrossBorderRail intro filmed earlier in Trieste
https://peertube.netzbegruenung.de/w/2qVxVCnCRqCciKnzfYPsDf

Today I am making the very well known cross-Europe trip - Trieste Centrale - Nuits-sous-Ravières

But because - of course! - nothing works with the timetables in France, I am going via Switzerland rather than direct from Italy to France

#CrossBorderRail live stream - 3/12/2026, 5:54:29 AM

PeerTube
Show threadJon WorthMar 12

This one should strike FYRA into you!

#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour Train 37 of 86
FR 9718
07:07 Trieste Centrale - Milano Centrale 11:15
Trenitalia

Train type: AnsaldoBreda ETR 700 EMU, 7 carriages
⚡️ (3kV dc, 25kV ac, 3kV dc)
🚲: ⛔️
🦽: ✅ (lift on platforms)
🛜: ✅ (but 😡 it needs a silly registration)
🍽️: ✅
🧳: 😐 (there's only one small rack for large bags, were it full it would struggle)️
🧽: 🙂
Interrail: 😐 (needs compulsory reservation, costs €13)

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

FR 9718
07:07 Trieste Centrale - Milano Centrale 11:15

Distance: 401.9km
Average speed: 97km/h

10 stops:
Monfalcone
Trieste Airport
Portogruaro-Caorle
Venezia Mestre
Padova
Vicenza
Verona Porta Nuova
Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione
Brescia
Milano Centrale

This train, mapped: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-2026-spring-tour_1361108#9/45.615913/11.487165

#CrossBorderRail

#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour

Tours in Spring 2026. Each day of the project is a Layer in the map - these should be displayed by default, or if not click the three layered diamonds icon "Open browser" to the left side of the map. The icons are all for borders, roughly coloured to differentiate the borders. A cross through a track means NO TRAINS CAN RUN. A cross through trains but not track means TRAINS CAN RUN BUT NO PASSENGER TRAINS. And TRAIN AND TRACK (no crosses) means there is a passenger service.

uMap
Show threadJon WorthMar 12

The ticket control here on this Frecciarossa is sensible, for a compulsory reservation train (OK, comp res is silly, but bear with me)

The train manager has the seat plan on their device, so they can see which seats are newly occupied at every station, and only goes to check those passengers' tickets

Why does SNCF not do that on TGVs?

Because it'd mean the train manager has to go along the train after every station and that's too much effort?

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

So how is the ex-FYRA ETR 700?

It's OK

The interior is rather bland, the colours resembling something from a doctor's surgery. There is noticeable noise from the motors, more than in some other EMUs. But the ride is smooth, the seats fine, the wifi works

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

Trenitalia promises new faster WiFi. And it’s indeed solid.

The downside?

Italian businessmen screaming “Pronto!” at their Teams calls

(There is a quiet zone somewhere I assume but I was allocated this)

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

ex-FYRA AnsaldoBreda ETR 700 on the Brescia - Milano high speed line at 250km/h is smooooooth

These trains might have had reliability issues, but someone designed some good suspension! Either that or the track is impeccable

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour Train 38 of 87
RE 2363
11:25 Milano Centrale - Milano Lambrate 11:31
Trenord

Train type: Hitachi Rock EMU, 5 double deck carriages
⚡️ (3kV dc)
🚲: ✅ (inc e-bike charging)
🦽: ✅ (step free)
🛜: ❓ (trip too short, did not check)
🍽️: ⛔️
🧳: 😐 (odd design, vestibules large, luggage racks tiny)️
🧽: 😐 (graffiti on the windows)
Interrail: 🙂 (accepted)

Distance: 3.6km
Average speed: 36km/h

1 stop:
Milano Lambrate

This train, mapped: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-2026-spring-tour_1361108#16/45.484939/9.222083

#CrossBorderRail

Show threadJon WorthMar 12
Milano, briefly
Show threadJon WorthMar 12
Even time for a little refreshment at Lambrate
Show threadJon WorthMar 12
Hitachi Rock does have e-bike charging. That’s neat!
Show threadJon WorthMar 12

Last decent connection Zürich - Dijon today: 15:34 (and every Zürich - Paris TGV goes through Dijon)

80 minutes later I’ve still got a passable connection Zürich - Berlin! 🤯

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

Meanwhile I am approaching the IT-CH border at Como, and I am the only passenger in my whole carriage in EuroCity 30 (SNCF fans following are likely 🤯)

But that means when the customs pass, that they usually do here, they are going to check me

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

Question is how to play it

Switzerland is in Schengen, so there should be no border control

But Switzerland is NOT in the customs union, so customs controls ARE allowed

So they *ought* to check what I am carrying, not ask for ID first, because then that would be a border control dressed up as a customs control, that they'd NEVER DO 😅

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour Train 39 of 87
EC 30
12:05 Milano Lambrate - Zürich HB 15:27
SBB, Trenitalia

Train type: Stadler Giruno EMU, 2x 11 short carriages
⚡️ (3kV dc, 15kV ac)
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (step free at both 55cm and 76cm platforms)
🛜: ✅
🍽️: ✅
🧳: 🙂️
🧽: 🙂 (spotless)️
Interrail: 😐 (needs compulsory reservation, costs €13)

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

EC 30
12:05 Milano Lambrate - Zürich HB 15:27

Distance: 254.1km
Average speed: 75km/h

7 stops:
Como S. Giovanni
Chiasso
Lugano
Bellinzona
Arth-Goldau
Zug
Zürich HB

This train, mapped: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-2026-spring-tour_1361108#9/46.441652/8.884860

#CrossBorderRail

#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour

Tours in Spring 2026. Each day of the project is a Layer in the map - these should be displayed by default, or if not click the three layered diamonds icon "Open browser" to the left side of the map. The icons are all for borders, roughly coloured to differentiate the borders. A cross through a track means NO TRAINS CAN RUN. A cross through trains but not track means TRAINS CAN RUN BUT NO PASSENGER TRAINS. And TRAIN AND TRACK (no crosses) means there is a passenger service.

uMap
Show threadJon WorthMar 12
So the customs officials just walked through at Chiasso, and did not bother me. Schengen is working today 🙂 #CrossBorderRail
Show threadJon WorthMar 12
However there was some issue at Chiasso - we were held before the station, and departed 10 minutes late. I just got chatting to the train manager, and he even asked *me* what happened, because it was still the Italian crew where it happened. #CrossBorderRail
Show threadJon WorthMar 12

Also information provision on this line is ridiculous.

In Milano Lambrate, departing, I needed the Trenitalia app to check if the train was on time, but it could not tell me which order the train was running. The SBB app could tell me my carriage was at the front, but could not tell me if the train was on time!

#CrossBorderRail

Show threadJon WorthMar 12
The Campione d'Italia enclave bunker on the other side of the lake, approaching Lugano #CrossBorderRail
Show threadJon WorthMar 12
Taktfahrplan and 7 minute change from SBB Giruno to TGV Lyria - works perfectly
Show threadJon WorthMar 12
Three and a half hours, first class, Stadler Giruno, table of four to myself because the train was empty: the best journey in AGES
Show threadJon WorthMar 12

#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour Train 40 of 87
TGV 9226
15:34 Zürich HB - Dijon Ville 17:58
TGV Lyria

Train type: Alstom TGV Euroduplex, 8 short double deck carriages, 2 power cars
⚡️ (15kV ac, 25kV ac, 1.5kV dc)
🚲: ⛔️
🦽: ✅ (step free into lower deck, then lift down inside)
🛜: ✅ (and it works well so far)
🍽️: ✅
🧳: ☹️ (inadequate - awful design)
🧽: 🙂
Interrail: 😡 (needs compulsory reservation, costs €39 first class or €29 second - rip off)

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

TGV 9226
15:34 Zürich HB - Dijon Ville 17:58

Distance: 326.7km
Average speed: 136km/h

3 stops:
Basel SBB
Mulhouse Ville
Dijon Ville

This train, mapped: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-2026-spring-tour_1361108#9/47.497720/6.643982

#CrossBorderRail

#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour

Tours in Spring 2026. Each day of the project is a Layer in the map - these should be displayed by default, or if not click the three layered diamonds icon "Open browser" to the left side of the map. The icons are all for borders, roughly coloured to differentiate the borders. A cross through a track means NO TRAINS CAN RUN. A cross through trains but not track means TRAINS CAN RUN BUT NO PASSENGER TRAINS. And TRAIN AND TRACK (no crosses) means there is a passenger service.

uMap
Show threadJon WorthMar 12

The passenger opposite me on the train has a powerpoint slide open entitled

Value Through the Eyes of the Customer

Resonate

Differentiate

Substantiate

Never let it be said that what I do sounds dull 🙂

Show threadJon Worth
Golden hour at Dijon Ville
Mar 12 at 5:06pmWeb
Show threadJon WorthMar 12

In the occasional series: confusing platform labelling in France

(There is no numbered platform other than 3 and… err, 37)

Show threadJon WorthMar 12
There’s a **** drawn on the grime on the TER window, and my seat looks like this. And we’re late departing because they couldn’t shunt the train out of the depot in time.
Show threadJon WorthMar 12

#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour Train 41 of 87
TER 91358
18:33 Dijon Ville - Nuits-sous-Ravières 19:19
SNCF for TER Mobigo

Train type: Bombardier AGC bi-mode MU, short carriages
⚡️ (1.5kV dc)
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (step free if platform allows)
🛜: ⛔️
🍽️: ⛔️
🧳: 🙂
🧽: ☹️ (it’s covered in grime, and the seats are knackered too)
Interrail: 🙂 (accepted)

Show threadJon WorthMar 12

TER 91358
18:33 Dijon Ville - Nuits-sous-Ravières 19:19

Distance: 89.4km
Average speed: 117km/h

3 stops:
Les Laumes-Alesia
Montbard
Nuits-sous-Ravieres

This train, mapped: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-2026-spring-tour_1361108#11/47.525316/4.619064

#CrossBorderRail

#CrossBorderRail 2026 Spring Tour

Tours in Spring 2026. Each day of the project is a Layer in the map - these should be displayed by default, or if not click the three layered diamonds icon "Open browser" to the left side of the map. The icons are all for borders, roughly coloured to differentiate the borders. A cross through a track means NO TRAINS CAN RUN. A cross through trains but not track means TRAINS CAN RUN BUT NO PASSENGER TRAINS. And TRAIN AND TRACK (no crosses) means there is a passenger service.

uMap
Show threadJon WorthMar 12

And here's today's #CrossBorderRail summary video

https://peertube.netzbegruenung.de/w/e5gukMp9rCa417De1epZ6H

#CrossBorderRail returns on 3rd April when I am going to Bouzonville!

#CrossBorderRail live stream - 3/12/2026, 5:12:42 PM

PeerTube
Show threadJon WorthMar 12
Someone has clearly been short of head butts since I departed on #CrossBorderRail
Show threadAstridMar 12
@jon cats! cats! cats!
Show threadHotter, More Cross BunnyMar 12

@jon

I had a cat like this as a child. Very nearly identical.

Named JOSEPHINE!

Show threadAstridMar 12
@jon love to follow your travels, thank you!
Show threadFestron3000Mar 12
@jon *Classic*
Show threadMatthew VernonMar 12
@jon given you showed the picture, you could just say what it was :) Or did you not have the relevant unicode (𓂸) to hand?
Show threadtetchy afMar 12
@jon too busy adding grime and dirt. Gotta keep the depot staff busy.
Show threadpglux.bsky.socialMar 12
In the past, Voie 3 was numbered Voie C...
Show threadDavid MettiMar 12
I find it ironic that the Mobigo slogan is "emmène-moi là où je veux" when in reality public transport in BFC is virtually non-existent beyond the lacklustre TER offerings and city buses/trams. In our village there is a bus to the nearest station 1x per week (!) on Thursdays (exc. jours fériés)