European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travel european trains getting around on the fast track by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer one of the pleasures of travelling on this Side of the Atlantic is the trains. Unlike the United states most european countries have Long considered their railroads worthy of Public funding. As a result the a passenger rail network is extensive and for the most part the trains Are reliable comfortable and convenient. Trains have several advantages Over cars. Most obvious is that they offer Freedom from the stresses of High Speed Highway driving and big City traffic. In addition fog Snow and heavy rain can make driving dangerous while trains Are comparatively immune to the fickleness of the weather. Yet another plus is that passengers can get up and move around. On Long trips this is an important consideration especially for families with children. _ _ the main disadvantage to trains is that they limit mobility making you dependent on Public  anyone who has tried to find a parking spot in Paris Munich or Rome knows that sometimes Quot this mobility is Worth doing without. There is a wide variety of trains in Europe ranging from nostalgic narrow gauge steam engines to Switzerland s Glacier express and from local commuter trains to the High Speed flagships of the continent s rail Fleet France s trans Gran Viesse Tiv and the German inter City express ice. The Tiv has been in service for nearly a decade and the ice is set to begin regular service june 2 from Hamburg to Munich. The trains which  speeds of up to 175 Mph will Cut railway travel time by 30 percent. They will cover the 691-mile run Between Hamburg and Munich in seven hours and 11 minutes. Following is information on selected rail passes available from some of the National railways.1. It it a eight High Speed locomotives of the Deutsche Bun Desbah wait at a new maintenance facility in Hamburg Germany. The intercity express trains Are set to begin service june 2 Between Hamburg and Munich. Eur Alpass Iri Europe the ultimate train experience is the eur Alpass vacation. A eur Alpass allows unlimited rail travel in 17 countries Austria Belgium Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Italy Luxembourg the Netherlands Norway Portugal Ireland Spain Sweden and Switzerland. In addition to the trains it provides free or discounted travel on some ferries steamers and boats. Eura impasses Are generally available Only outside Europe. But . Service members can Purchase them within Europe from Sato and itt office the eur Alpass is available in five versions from 15 Days to three months a eur Alpass this is Good for unlimited a m first class travel Cost is 15 days7$390 Quot a adult $195 children younger than 12 21 Days $498 adult and $249 children one month $616 adult and $308 children 2 months $840 adult and $420 children three months $1,042 adult and $521 children Saver puss valid for three or More people travelling together. Good for 15 consecutive Days in first class. Cost $298 per adult $149 children a Flox pass valid on a limited number of Days within a certain period Cost first class five Days within a 15-Day period $230 adult $115 children nine Days within 21 Days $398 adult and $199. Children 14 Days within one month $498 a adult and $249 children a Youtha Setfor Quot those 25 add younger. Second class. Cost one month $425 two months $560. A youth flex pass Cost second class 15 Days within three months $340 30 Days within three months $540. A Eura Ildrie pass combines the use of a rental car with unlimited mileage for part of the time with unlimited first class train travel for the rest of the Lime. Can be extended at extra Cost. Basic Epra Ildrie pass Cost seven Days of travel four Days by train three by car Economy car $269 Small car $289 medium car $299, prices Are per person for two people travelling together. Single traveler Economy car$439. 20 Slars and stripes trawl Europe May 22, i jul