Train Travel tips and pointers sought

On train travel I'd also start here - https://www.seat61.com/

I only travel by train or ferry once I'm in Europe. Networks are all well developed and connect to many smaller communities.

I agree with an extensive read of the seat 61 website. If the answer isn't there, or in one of his links, then it certainly wont be in a book which will have outdated info as soon as it's published. If you still have questions after all that, then you can always ask here.

We have relied on trains for many of our trips. But dont overlook the bus for travel between smaller towns and villages, if you want to get further off the beaten path.

The book which I believe is essential reading is the European Rail Timetable- https://europeanrailtimetable.eu/

That shows you what or where is possible to reach by train.

It can either be obtained in printed or digital format. For me printed format is a much easier way to read, especially when you need to reroute. You can visualise in a way you just can't from a journey planner. With a journey planner you have to know what question to ask.
With a book like this you can start with a clean sheet of paper, it presents opportunities you would never know existed.

It's been years since I traveled by rail in Germany. But, you will find many towns in Europe are accessible by train. And don't forget bus and river travel.

Here are a couple posts that will give you some ideas from others who travel by train.

Something New

Southern Germany

the plan is basically viable but flexibility and French trains don't go together that well, anything of any distance requires reservation which seems normal to americans but is annoying to much of europe. Germany and Belgium run "turn up and go" networks, although long distance tickets reserved in advance can be a lot cheaper. Germany has some bargains for travel on regional trains. As said the seat61 and europeanrailtimetable sites are worth checking, in the case of the latter their map is very useful (but still only a summary of some denser areas) - see if you can find a recent copy on US Ebay to avoid high postage. And don't forget if you go back to the homepage of this forum there is a specific link about train tickets and schedules in europe.

For October or March probably best to not go north of Liege! Which means not north of Cologne in Germany - but don't miss he Luxembourg-Liege route through the Ardennes. Southern Germany should be reasonably mild.

I have a sense that for a truly authentic and immersive experience, particularly since I am hoping to avoid lengthy stays in the great big cities, I should be traveling by car.

A car would mean isolating yourself from the general public as you move around. That doesn't shout authenticity IMO.

In Germany, the idea that car is the only way to visit smaller places is the falsest of falsehoods. Words like "authentic" and "immersive" might describe many travelers' intentions, but whether they achieve this type of experience or not in small places or big ones, train travelers who want to visit small, rural, unheralded, unheard-of little places will not be disappointed.

Of course there are a few places where trains can't go. But a short bus connection from the nearest train station normally gets you to just about any town on the map. Examples... Kroev, a Mosel River wine town of 2,000, has bus service to the railway town of Traben-Trarbach (10,000) every hour. Beilstein on the Mosel River, pop. 147, has bus service every 30 minutes to the larger railway town of Cochem (a whopping 5-6,000 inhabitants.)

Are you aware of the month-long rail pass for Germany which is valid for and sold for one calendar month, and costs 2 Euros per day? The Deutschland-Ticket is the perfect pass for the kind of hop-on, hop-off travel you are talking about. It's valid on public buses as well as trains. (The high-speed trains which connect larger cities are excluded from use with this pass, but you're avoiding those places anyway.)

Details: https://www.seat61.com/websites/deutschland-ticket.htm

Have you thought about your luggage?

Being able to check a large bag at the airport or have a bellman place it in your trunk are nice to have features of air and auto travel. On the train you will need to get the bag to the train, probably via public transport, and then lift it up into the carriage.

"On the train you will need to get the bag to the train, probably via public transport, and then lift it up into the carriage."

Is that going to be a problem?

"On the train you will need to get the bag to the train, probably via public transport, and then lift it up into the carriage."

Is that going to be a problem?

Yeah, i was wondering that too. I travel with two carry-on sized cases, a personal bag, a cane, and only travel by local transit, trains or ferries . So, I'm wonder what the issue is supposed to be.

In France the local trains are run regionally. You can buy tickets or passes that are valid for the trains within that region. Here’s an explanation and map.
https://www.sncf-voyageurs.com/en/travel-with-us/in-france/ter/ter-map/

Great advice above, especially to use Seat61 for research. I suggest that you book your trains with the specific train companies, not on Trainline. With a little research, you'll find that some routes are offered by more than one company. Generally, you don't need to pay extra for first class for shorter trips. Also, bus can be easier and cheaper, as noted above.

In your research, look up the Deutschland, or “D” ticket for Germany. This covers all regional trains, trams, buses subways, etc throughout Germany for €63 for a calendar month. It cam be a huge money saver and quite convenient.

Shelley, no matter how one has packed and traveled previously, and no matter the number of weeks in Europe, Rick offers a packing strategy that every independent traveler should read and heed. It's exceptionally good advice for train travelers.

STAIRS: Rail stations in Germany are becoming more and more barrier-free with every year, but some, especially smaller stations in smaller towns, will not have the elevators and escalators that big stations often use for getting passengers from the main hall to the station platforms. You will sometimes need to port your luggage up and down staircases. My wife and I carry packs that are slightly smaller than the one Rick shows his audience in the video below; a tiny day pack might also be in one hand. This works great for us.
At 73 my wife has gotten slightly wobbly on steps. The back-bag keeps the weight centered on her person, which is far better for negotiating steps than a wheeled suitcase that pulls you to one side. Also, I always watch to make sure she has one free hand to use on the grab rail. She does the same for me. You will have to be your own minder to make this happen.

On trains there are usually multiple spots for luggage of the size that Rick recommends... under your seat and sometimes behind your seat are spaces I have sometimes used if the overhead racks happen to be crowded or look iffy for some reason. Some trains also have shelves at both ends of the carriage. Here's a pic from one of the regional trains showing the floor space you might use under your seat:

https://www.merkur.de/assets/images/37/619/37619175-deutschlandticket-deutsche-bahn-ticket-zuege-ic-ice-verbindungen-gestrichen-2kQ6n8xnqXe9.jpg

Links to some of Rick's pages:

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/packing-light

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/packing-light

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-smart

Kootah and Vap,

I have seen many struggle alone with multiple big bags (26-inch or larger) getting on the metro, into busses and on to the train. Doubly so when there is a mad dash to get into a crowed car and no one is willing to help. I will try to assist those who appear to need help, but its impossible to push to the front of the line when there are a half dozen travelers waiting to board and they have their elbows out.

Shelly states that she is going for as long as two months and is older, but relatively fit and healthy. How much luggage is she planning on taking and will she able to easily manage this luggage on her own? And, since she also states that train travel is new to her, I want to let her know that, IMO, this is an aspect of travel she should think about.

Russ, thank you for your perspective regarding this.

To add a bit to Russ’ point. When I know I will be traveling by train in Europe, I plan my luggage specifically for success. I have one small roller bag that I keep light enough that I can pick it up and climb two flights of stairs. Then I have another suitcases that is backpack style. I find it is easier to deal with stairs/balance with this approach. This leaves me one hand free for the handrails.

Also take your time getting on and off trains at the platform. Each works a little bit differently and needs your full attention.

I know everybody has their luggage preference but allow me to say this: personally, I take only the luggage I can lift myself onto the overhead locker in an airplane plus a daypack/crossbody. I travel solo (female, some walking disability) and I know that I must rely on myself only. Kindness from strangers is welcome, but I do not expect it. So, if the szize/amount of luggage raises questions before even leaving home, that is a good sign to downsize or book private transfers.

Kootah hits the nail on the head, and we all have a bit of our own confirmation bias here. Of course we're going to notice the few people struggling with massive suitcases because it stands out. But it's a train station, so obviously people have luggage. The people carrying everything for every contingency are always going to struggle, but that's a mindset and packing issue, not a train issue. Managing luggage is just a basic part of travel, and most all of us just get on with it fine without making it an obstacle.