A giant on the tracks

The national railway company CFL has rolled out some brand new double decker trains. These shiny metal beasts are now running between Luxembourg City and the far north towards Clervaux and Troisvierges. They are very tall and very long. It seems the goal was to fit as many people as possible into one vehicle so nobody has to stand in the aisles like sardines. It is a bold move for a country where people usually prefer their own cars even if public transportation is completely free of charge in the entire country.

Room for everyone and their bags

The capacity of these new trains is quite impressive. Because they have two storeys you can choose to sit downstairs near the doors or upstairs where you can judge the scenery from a higher perspective. There is plenty of room for bicycles and prams too. This is great news for people who like to bring their entire lives with them on a thirty minute journey.

Comfort for the common people

Even in second class the comfort levels are surprisingly high. You get air conditioning that actually works which is a miracle during the summer months. There are also plenty of power sockets so you can charge your phone while staring out of the window at a cow. And there is free wifi if you have no other internet connection. The ride is smooth and quiet enough that you can almost forget you are on a train. It is almost too nice for a service that is completely free for everyone to use.

Trains that actually show up

The frequency of these services is also quite decent for a rural route. You do not have to wait for three hours in the rain if you miss one. They run regularly throughout the day and connect the capital to the quiet northern towns with impressive efficiency. It makes the commute feel less like a chore and more like a civilised excursion. Of course you still have to hope there are no fallen leaves on the tracks because that is the one thing no amount of new technology can ever solve.