Westbahn triples Spittal–Wien services from December
Westbahn will operate three daily direct trains in each direction between Spittal an der Drau and Wien from December 13, tripling the service originally planned for the route.
The operator had previously announced one daily connection between the Carinthian town and the Austrian capital. The expanded timetable will provide departures from Spittal at 07:40, 11:40 and 17:40, arriving at Wien Hauptbahnhof at 11:45, 15:45 and 21:45 respectively.
In the opposite direction, trains will leave Wien at 07:15, 13:15 and 16:15, reaching Spittal at 11:20, 17:27 and 20:20. All six services will operate daily throughout the year, without requiring passengers to change trains.
Westbahn is also introducing additional services between Spittal and Villach. A morning train will leave Villach at 06:56, arriving in Spittal at 07:20, while an evening service will depart Spittal at 20:40, reaching Villach at 21:05. These connections are intended to provide further options for local commuters.
The expansion will give Upper Carinthia a more frequent direct link with Wien, while extending Westbahn's reach into another of the region's important tourist areas. Promotional fares between Spittal and Wien are available from €18.99, with valid Kärntner Linien network tickets also accepted for journeys within Carinthia.
Puy du Fou targets 2027 launch for Belle Époque luxury train
A new luxury train offering a six-day theatrical journey around France could finally enter service in 2027, following several years of delays to its development.
Le Grand Tour is the creation of Puy du Fou, the French historical theme park operator, which first announced the project in 2021. Inspired by the great luxury trains of the Belle Époque, the train will offer an elaborate combination of overnight accommodation, fine dining, sightseeing and live entertainment.
Departing from Paris Gare de l'Est, the approximately 4,000-kilometre journey will take six days and five nights, visiting a selection of France's historic towns, cities and attractions before reaching the Puy du Fou park in the Vendée.
The experience is designed to be more than simply a luxury railway journey. An immersive theatrical storyline, set in the early 20th century, will unfold throughout the trip, with actors appearing aboard the train and at various stops. The production will include around 40 characters, with passengers becoming part of an unfolding mystery inspired by the adventures of fictional detective Arsène Lupin.
The train will comprise 12 carriages, including accommodation for up to 44 passengers in 22 cabins and suites. Interiors take their inspiration from the Belle Époque, with elaborate woodwork, rich fabrics and period detailing, while incorporating modern facilities including private bathrooms.
Dining will be another major feature, with the menu overseen by Alexandre Couillon, the three-Michelin-starred chef of La Marine restaurant in Noirmoutier. A dedicated restaurant car and bar will complement the accommodation and entertainment facilities.
The project was originally intended to begin operating in summer 2023 but has suffered repeated delays as the specially rebuilt carriages underwent the necessary safety approvals and homologation for operation on the French national railway network.
Puy du Fou now hopes to begin trials with passengers in spring 2027, although a firm date for the first commercial departures has yet to be announced. The latest reported starting price is €8,450 per person for a six-day journey, reflecting the exclusive nature of the experience.
České dráhy to end car transport to Poprad-Tatry
České rail operator České dráhy (ČD) will end the carriage of cars and motorcycles to Poprad-Tatry from December 13, as demand for the service to Slovakia's High Tatras continues to decline. The capacity released by the change will be used to strengthen services to eastern Slovakia.
The decision follows a significant fall in demand for the overnight car-carrying trains operated jointly by ČD and Slovak operator Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK). During July and August 2026, the trains carried a total of 1,514 cars and motorcycles between Praha and Slovakia, a reduction of 43.5% compared with the same period last year.
České dráhy has also pointed to improvements in Slovakia's motorway network, which have made travelling by road more attractive. The Poprad-Tatry stop has already been restricted to public holidays and extended weekends during periods of higher demand, but the operator will now withdraw the facility for loading and unloading vehicles altogether.
The change will allow the overnight trains to reach destinations further east more quickly by removing the additional shunting and vehicle-handling operations at Poprad. Journeys to Košice will be shortened by approximately 45 minutes, while trains to Humenné will arrive around an hour earlier.
The operators are also expanding the service to Humenné, with four weekly departures in each direction since October. During the summer holidays in 2027, the trains are expected to operate daily, providing additional capacity for passengers travelling towards the Ukrainian border.
The changes reflect a shift in demand for overnight car-carrying trains, with České dráhy concentrating its available capacity on routes further east.
Source: Zdopravy.cz
TGV M finally enters service in France
SNCF's new-generation TGV M high-speed trains finally entered passenger service on November 6, following several years of delays. The official launch took place on the Paris–Marseille route, with French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot and SNCF Group president Jean Castex among the invited guests.
The inaugural journey departed Paris Gare de Lyon at 09:56, travelling to Marseille Saint-Charles. The first TGV M passenger working was TGV 6112, which departed Marseille at 09:03.
Regular commercial services started on November 9, initially covering routes between Paris, Marseille and Nice. The first services included TGV 6175, departing Paris at 10:10, and TGV 6180 at 16:56 on the Paris–Nice route. Two Paris–Marseille workings were also operated by the new trains: TGV 6115 at 14:38 and TGV 6132 at 19:15.
The TGV M, developed by French manufacturer Alstom, represents the fifth generation of French high-speed trains. Originally intended to enter service ahead of the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, the introduction was repeatedly postponed because of production, testing and approval delays.
The double-deck trains can accommodate up to 740 passengers in their highest-capacity configuration, around 20% more than previous-generation TGVs. They also feature a redesigned two-level bistro, improved accessibility and greater flexibility in the allocation of seating and luggage space.
SNCF has ordered 100 trains for its domestic network, with the first six units initially deployed on the Paris–Marseille route. The introduction marks the beginning of a gradual fleet replacement programme, with further deliveries expected over the coming years.
The Summer 2026 edition of the European Rail Timetable is available in print and digital formats and is the perfect partner to our Rail Map Europe.
Image copyright and courtesy of Westbahn.
