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Old September 24th, 2007, 10:10 AM posted to misc.transport.rail.europe,rec.travel.europe
Mike Roebuck[_1_]
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Posts: 12
Default Tickets to San Sebastian via Hendaye and Irun

On Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:26:15 -0000, wrote:



Anyone any ideas why this ridiculous state of affairs exists ?


SNCF obviously don't have any international fares programmed into
their ticket machines at Biarritz. That doesn't excuse the sloppy
station staff though. Did you get a classic Gallic shrug as well?

It's
already daft that Renfe can operate from Spain to Hendaye (but not
FROM Hendaye to Spain), and SNCF can operate to Irun but not FROM Irun
to France.


The northbound broad gauge track extends into Hendaye station and
gives onward standard gauge connections into FRance. The southbound
standard gauge track extends into Irun station and gives onward broad
gauge connections into Spain. Presumably no-one sees the need to run
trains in the other direction?

I was on the very first service TGV from Paris to Irun. I well recall
having my bags searched by a Spanish Customs official, who absolutely
stank of alcohol, when I passed through the control at Irun to get the
narrow gauge train back to Hendaye, after arrival.

The old Puerta del Sol Paris - Madrid night train changed bogies in a
shed. I travelled on it once, northbound, but I can no longer remember
exactly where the shed was. The current night Talgo will pass through
a gauge-changing operation on the move, but I don't know where it's
located, either.

(It's a very long time since I was last in Hendaye/Irun).




--
Regards

Mike

mikedotroebuckatgmxdotnet