Allow additional time at train stations for security?

I don't know what it would be like in France right now, but considering recent events, it might be as vigorous as airport style security. Bahn.de does advise people to expect an extra 15 min for passport control in Salzburg if going to Germany (Munich).

Instituting airport-style security is not something that can happen in the short term. The transport minister has brought up the idea, but it will/would require a wholesale restructuring of the infrastructure of rail stations. Things simply aren't set up to allow for this at the present time.

Sadly or scarily, (or conveniently for ease of travel), increased scrutiny for rail travelers will not be a reality anytime soon.

There is no way that airport-style security would be introduced routinely on trains in Europe as passengers wouldn't stand for it. The comments about the Gare du Nord refer to Eurostar services, which have always had airport-style security at all stations due to the perceived high profile of the Channel Tunnel as a target and the dangers of an explosion inside the tunnel. Apart from that there will be no delay to most passengers, unless you are personally singled out for a search for some reason.

Traveled London to Paris on Eurostar Saturday 11/14 - no security changes. Traveled Paris to Milan by train Monday 11/16 absolutely no noticeable extra security. We commented on the lack of general, and certainly no increased police or security presence at all which was surprising if not shocking. However, after today's (wed 11/18) additional action in Paris, things might have tightened up.

The whole idea of a train as a target is much different than plane or a captive group in a theater. I would be more concerned with something at the station than actually on the train. You cannot crash a train or have two pound bomb take out the whole train. I could see train security moving in the direction of Spain after their experience with bombs on a train years ago. Given the nature/design of train stations it would be impossible to have an airport style of security. Eurostar security is much tighter because it was designed from the ground up to be much more secure. The overriding concern with the Eurostar is damage to the tunnel.

We expect to be in France riding the trains next September and do not expect much change in security procedures.

Actually it is very possible to do spectacular damage to a train with quite a small bomb. However, this involves putting it on the track, so higher passenger security won't stop it.

We took the TGV from Paris to Reims back to Paris today from Gard l'Est. There was zero security measures. Not even much of a police presences but we were at the station the same time everything was going down near St. Denys so they may have just been stretched thin. I'm not sure how you could even secure such a system anymore than any other form of daily transport.

I saw a crawl that said they would be setting up metal detectors in train stations, but as noted that's highly unrealistic and unworkable. But still, be prepared for roving cops/soldiers with dogs and perhaps wands doing random searches. If they work like the TSA, the searches will not only be random but unpredictable and somewhat useless.