INTRODUCTION - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 33

other information that will help them to help you, such as whether a wheelchair is
needed at departures and arrivals. Specifically, provide information regarding spe-
cial diets, medications, and toilet and medical-attention requirements. With these
details attended to, you can look forward to a pleasant journey.
Baggage Carts. Many otherwise able train visitors to Europe impose a severe dis-
advantage upon themselves by arriving with more luggage than anyone could pos-
sibly carry. Train porters are nearly an extinct species, and their demise was ex-
pedited by the luggage trolley—Europe's version of our baggage cart—an elusive
device that, whatever your position on the train platform, haunts the extreme op-
posite end and often requires insertion of coins to use.
Our number one trip tip to all train travelers is to “go lightly.” We repeat: At most,
take one medium-size suitcase with wheels or two small bags, augmented by
a modest shoulder bag. There will still be times when you wish you could discard
your suitcase. Pack lightly and leave room for souvenirs, or you'll just need to pur-
chase another piece of luggage.
If you have purchased a model with built-in wheels, however, it usually will follow
at your heels like a well-trained dog as you apply minimum pulling power. Unlike a
dog, the wheeled suitcase cannot climb stairs by itself, so be prepared to lift it on
and off the train and in some stations without elevators. Consider investing in your
own baggage cart to take with you if your luggage does not have wheels. There
are many types available.
When loading your luggage onto a baggage cart or station trolley, keep the load
as narrow as possible. The trolleys provided by the station should not be taken
aboard the train, although we've seen it tried. Again, if you are taking your own cart
with you, fold it before boarding. If you don't, you may spend an embarrassing ten
minutes or so on the station platform extracting a hapless fellow traveler from it as
your train eases out of the station without you.
Porter Services. Porter service is on the wane but still available in some train sta-
tions, particularly the larger ones. The best way to locate a porter is to inquire at
the Left Luggage (baggage storage) area. Most stations also offer luggage lockers
(some stations have stopped this service and, for security reasons, have even re-
moved trash containers). If your luggage has been checked in at the station, there
will be a handling charge, but the tip remains a personal transaction between you
and the porter.
Most porters will take your bags to the train and place them aboard in the lug-
gage racks over your seat. Porters are rather scarce on arrival platforms. If you
must have assistance, approach the stationmaster's office or the train conductor