Warning! I was robbed at night on a French night train near Lyon, about two weeks ago. The door was locked. My pack was under my feet and strapped in... with an addition loud travel alarm in a cord.
The thief entered the room at Lyon, a long stop using a tool to open the "lock" from the outside, apparently. I woke up to: "There's a pickpocket! Stay in your room and we will get him." They then ran down the aisle.
After checking my pack, money belt, back up credit cards, I realized that they had snatched my winter coat; probably looking for anything in it.
About one hour later two conductors showed up. They asked if I wanted to file a police report. Take was all they could do. I asked them if this happened often and they said Yes and shrugged their shoulders. They were polite but had no answers.
The thief moved in fast, had a railroad key, had a quick escape plan at a long city stop, had a plan if the sleeper awoke.
Lessons: Take extra special care with all your belongings. You cannot be too safe. Lock the door and use the chain if provided. You are asleep, they are awake and working their job. Most theives will come on and off a stations; they are not on for the long haul. Other trains have added a second chain lock. They know the "keyed" lock does not work. If they have it use it. Wear it or sleep on it, or secure it well. Try not to have a single compartment. The trains cannot or will not do do anything after the theft; just like the USA. Later a helpful DB chief conductor said it was worst in other countries, like Italy. So it is not just France.
I continued my trip with night trains and am going back in three weeks, so I am not afraid, just even more cautious.-Chris
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"thousands use night trains with no problem". Perhaps that's the thousands of us who can't get a minute of sleep on the damn things!
Posted by
OP
Sonora, Californa
46 posts
Thank you for the quote from Rick's guide about how to arraign the best security. I am afraid that the individual closely watched attendent has not been available on any train that I have ridden yet. I did tip the conductors and porters and asked them to watch us, all over the world on trains, but it was informal and only marginally effective. Based on that good advise I might try that approach again.
The point is: watch out in 2009 on night trains. Even the staff knows the problems. There are more problems than reported here or elsewhere. Ask the train personel, they know the situation.
Night trains are diminishing. High speed trains are replacing a true piece of culture and history. I wish that railroad would deal wth the real problems that they know they have with better security at night.
Again...I will be traveling again on night trains in two weeks, and am looking forward to taking my grandson. I have been riding the rails for 50 years, since I was hopping freights at 10, and love the whole adventure.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32325 posts
Chris,
Perhaps choosing a direct night train would alleviate the problem to some extent. If there are no stops, it would certainly reduce their access and chance to escape.
You're very fortunate to be able to travel so often! Travelling in Europe two weeks ago and again in three weeks - fantastic!
Good luck and happy travels!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9109 posts
Chris, Night trains are hardly diminishing. Two years ago when DB took control of City Night Line, they added no less that five new routes. Have a look for yourself:
http://tinyurl.com/ceoy4t
Posted by
New Hampshire
182 posts
Chris
I appreciate the comment and information. Very valuable!
Posted by
OP
Sonora, Californa
46 posts
Thanks, Gary.
Just finished another great train trip with day and overnight trains through Munich, Vienna and Venice. all three legs were excellent. The overnight from Vienna to Venice was perfect; it is great to walk right out of the train and onto the Grand Canal in the morning before all the rest of the visitors and locals. The daytime trip over the early spring alps was relaxing and beautiful. As with most good railroad workers, the conductors were very helpful and gave good advice about security and services; they know the pros and cons of their trains. One even watched our luggage for a few minutes; without being asked. Good guy.
Posted by
New Hampshire
182 posts
Sounds like you had a great time and I'm glad (and jealous too!). We're heading to Austria this summer, but surely springtime has it's own unique charms.
I guess there's always an element and potential for such rude and unhelpful posts. It's ironic as it seems there's been alot of recent philosophical type posts lately that have prompted some very interesting comments and dialog. People do (and should) say what they think, and seems to me that often it's the missing tone and inflection that sometimes makes the written word seem harsh or not, but there was no mistaking what was written in the other gentleman's post.
I still find this one of the best sites for information and if one can wade through the rudeness, sometimes there's even some valuable information in there that's just poorly presented.