European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 8, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Of Tov at a world a fastest train holding Trie everyday operating Speed record of1s8.8 Miles per hour. Year arrives in he heart of town often at a modernized terminal like Avignon Marseille or Montpellier. Equipped with Carls and elevators for handling Luggage and Lea lung Fine shops and excellent restaurants. Train Bleu in the refurbished Gare de Lyon is considered one of the finest restaurants in pans. Like the old Oneal express the Tiv already is gathering the goods in its always Lively bar car. Someone is sure to Leil you about the american colonel who stepped of the Tiv at Dijon to buy a newspaper and before he reached the Kiosk saw his Tiv go dashing off to Lausanne with his Luggage and Golf clubs. Or about the English lady who look her pekingese Lor a Short stroll on the platform at Aix Les Bains and waved frantically Wilh her proper scooper Al her children streaking off to Paris without passports of travellers checks. The Tiv s High pitched whistle is a new Call to enchantment for train buffs to whom a final destination is always a letdown those whistles sing  As Paul Theroux wrote rat All Tram travel. Railways Are irresistible bazaars snaking along perfectly level no Mailer what the landscape improving your mood Wilh Speed and never upsetting your  at speeds o better than 165 Mph up and Down Steep grades the Tiv casts ils own special spell although in is Wise to keep a firm hand on your drink taking the train r iding the Tiv is As easy As Riding any other train. Tiv trains run throughout the Day Between Iho Gare de Lyon terminal in Parisand Lyon. With connections to Geneva and Lausanne in Switzerland As Well As to. Avignon Montpelier and Marseille in the South of France. When the Tiv Atlantique line is operational in about three year travel times to the Al Antic coast and to the Spanish Border will he Cut by More than an hour. Holders of Tiv Nickels can Quality Tor savings on rooms in two hotel chains. Frantel and pm is Jacques Jare uttering discounts of up to 30 percent to Tiv Ticke holders As Well As to those travelling with eur Alpass and the francs vacancies rail pass for unlimited travel within. The hotels can be found in 10 cities served by the Tiv. For information Contact Franlel in Paris. 1-42682288 or plus Jacques in Paris Telephone 1-45898980. The French National railway in of has a Booklet printed in three languages including English explaining rail travel in France. It explains the difference Between the information desks where you can get timetables and Ike offices where you buy Nickels make reservations claim a refund on a partially used ticket ii Ycu Haven t got a Eura Ispass or a Franca vacancies ail Rover pass you can Purchase a ticket at any station or from a travel agent. Tickets Are Good for two months. Travel on tee. Intercity and Peak hour to is requires a supplemental charge. Riser Valins Are advisable during Peak travel seasons or times of Day. Pay attention to French holidays a number of them Are different from the american Days Oft. Reservations can be made Over the Telephone at the ticket window or at a travel Agency. One requirement for Riding on French trains not found in some other countries is Dale stamping your ticket. At the platform entry of most railway stations you will see an Orange machine called a compos eur stamp your ticket in it before you Board the train. If you make an overnight Stop revalidate the ticket before continuing your journey. You May find thai you have to change trains in Paris and thai May mean changing train Stalions As Well. There Are seven Large railway stations in the City and several ways of getting irom one to another taxis buses the Zelro or 1he re regional trains. You can also take 3 special in of Inte Stalion bus. It costs the same no matter whal your destination and hand Luggage is carried free of charge. Timetables and Price of the buses can be found in a Leaf Tel pans Gam a Gare which you can pick up at the stations. Night travel saves time and Trie Cost of a hotel room. French sleeping cars have Lisl class Couch ettes Wilh four berths or Mccond class Couch ettes with six berths. Sleepers Wilh one two or three Beds and in compartment sinks Are also available at higher costs. Some trains have the new Cabine 8 service second class compartments Wilh eight Semi reclining berths which Cost no More than a Normal sent reservation foods and drinks Are available on most mainline trams in France. Meals Are served at your scat in the first class Section of selected Tiv Cora ii. Tee and intercity services. Other trains have restaurant cars sell service buffets or mini bar trolleys you May want to Reserve a place in the dining car when you Reserve a seat Star restaurant food is served on Board the Nouvelle premiere first class Only train that runs daily Between Paris and Strasbourg. Reservations Are required and you must pay a surcharge but the service is Superb from the special lounges at the station to the help you get on Board Wilh hotel or even taxi bookings at your destination. On some trains in of provides a family service. For a supplement you and your family can have a whole compartment first or second class seals or second class Couchetta there is a play area on Board for the children to Reserve your family Musl include Al least four fare paying passengers one of whom must be a child under age 12. Reservations Are required. In of also offers a family ticket for families of at least three persons. It costs about $10 and is Good Tor one year. With it one adult pays full fare and every other person pays half Price. Children aged 4 to 12 pay Quarter fare similar Nickels Are available for senior citizens women from age 60 and men irom age 65. . The stars and stripes Page 15