On June 10, Eurostar will launch TGV East, a new Rail Europe line said to cut travel time nearly in half between Paris and other points throughout France, as well as expedite service to Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Rail Europe spokesperson Chris Lazarus says agents can expect further service information in the coming months.
Timetables and reservations for the TGV trains, which can
travel as fast as 200 miles per hour, will be available beginning April 10 on
Rail Europe's agent-focused web site, agent.raileurope.com. Women's fashion designer Christian LaCroix
designed the interior of the trains, which will speed eastward connections from
New tracks have been completed for about a year and
currently are being tested. As recently as February 24, a high-speed, nine-car
train traveling between London and Glasgow derailed, killing one and injuring
about 22 of 100 passengers. Lazarus notes however, that the French rails have
"a great safety record," with no fatalities since its inception 25
years ago. Lazarus attributes the safety differences of French versus British
rail to the privatization of