The Great Circular European Railway Challenge

[Glenmutchkin]

If it's a part of the plan that's fine. I think that I must have thought that it was something else when I read ABURP1. I'm very easily confused.

I must find a map that shows me all of this stuff so I can understand the distances etc. Sounds like I probably need some kind of 3D plan.

I didn't know that I was acrophobic until I looked it up just now. I thought that I suffered from vertigo. I might have to wear sunglasses.

Anybody in the team who has a real problem with this might want to look after the luggage in Barcelona.

Don I read #153 again and I now see where you make mention of "the cable". The first few times that I read it assumed that the Cog and the cable were the same thing. How far out of the city is this Children's railway?

 

[Mark_Lester]

Actually I toyed with mentioning Group Captain Stagg in my post.

I looked back at ABURP #1. I think that The Dear Leader is worried about splitting the group up. By all accounts it was almost a disaster in India. We've got months to work out the fine detail and it will change, expand, shrink, stand on its head and get back to square one on a regular basis.

bandannas are banned.

anyone who orders half the party off the train while gleefully informing the bunch of rail virgins he's ordered about that "you cant argue with a ticket inspector", will be shot on sight.

anyone who cant handle a £200 variation in budget can "go away" with feeling.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
and as for the city excursions, yes, budapest is a bit much, but we darent drop anything for fear of being bollocked.
all the rest are quite reasonable leaving bags of extra time back at the station.

what day are we in budapest then with a wed blast off ?.
Tuesday right.

Kri.st thought that the southern france timetables might change with the opening of a new high speed line.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

what day are we in budapest then with a wed blast off ?.

Cripes. It's the beak!

Tuesday.

 

[Mark_Lester]

IHow far out of the city is this Children's railway?

it's 20 minutes from the back of the castle. but we need to change so call it 30.
the most flexible, time effective way is to go for the 10 past departure form the bottom as huvoslvolgy
http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=47.54273&lon=18.96366&zoom=17&layers=M

as long as we making our way out of the back of the castle by 2pm we will catch the 3:10 children's up the hill, we will then certainly get the 3:50 cog at the end back down, so 4:10 at varosmajor, it surely cant take us an hour to get to the market via vorosmarty ter, which would give us enough time to shop. it shuts at 6 anyway, so at that point we have an hour to get back to the station.

 

[mickpop]

bandannas are banned.

Only if you throw the skins on the floor. Oh sorry - misread that! Is Mark Knopfler coming with us then?

 

[Mark_Lester]

Only if you throw the skins on the floor. Oh sorry - misread that! Is Mark Knopfler coming with us then?

Geordies are also banned.

 

[Donbacsi]

Do rollercoasters count? I personally never pass up a chance for a wooden coaster.
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The plains of Pest and the steep hills of Buda. Take a look.
http://www.gillesvidal.com/sziget2008/budapestchateau.htm

 

[Mark_Lester]

Do rollercoasters count? I personally never pass up a chance for a wooden coaster.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The plains of Pest and the steep hills of Buda. Take a look.
http://www.gillesvidal.com/sziget2008/budapestchateau.htm

where exactly do we go to get the conical turrets.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Do rollercoasters count? I personally never pass up a chance for a wooden coaster.

We've got one. See post #207. Not wooden though. Do you know of a good one?

Cabal - Do we think that Sundays in Stockholm/Berlin and Rome/Venice are a better bet than Sundays in Brussels/Amsterdam , Bucharest and Lisbon? Might not be a good day for smoked fish purchases.

Re Kri.st's comment. Did he suggest dates. According to Wiki the new TGV won't be in service until 2016.

and as for the city excursions, yes, budapest is a bit much, but we darent drop anything for fear of being bollocked.

Who's going to bollock us?

 

[Mark_Lester]

We've got one. See post #207. Not wooden though. Do you know of a good one?

Cabal - Do we think that Sundays in Stockholm/Berlin and Rome/Venice are a better bet than Sundays in Brussels/Amsterdam , Bucharest and Lisbon? Might not be a good day for smoked fish purchases.

Re Kri.st's comment. Did he suggest dates. According to Wiki the new TGV won't be in service until 2016.



Who's going to bollock us?

ah right, yes, sunday in stockholm might be an issue, certainly for the main market and actually we need any kind of deli early (I think we leave 9am) so yeah, that's a minor problem for the fish and sour cream gateaux things.
so what's the prob with sunday to monday ?. this was bound to happen, it's why we've needed to go through every stop to pre-empt any "oh, it's shut" sobbing. Oh it's the D'Orsay, that's a shame. May be that was a bit too pussy anyway, get the Paris map out.

Kr.ist said by next year, but yeah he was talking TGVs.

who's going to bollock us ?, watch this

WE NEED TO DROP ONE OF CASTLE, CHILDRENS+COG, LINE 1 or MARKET.

stand back.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
and there's the fry up in st pancras, but there could be advantages to doing sunday for that anyway.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

WE NEED TO DROP ONE OF CASTLE, CHILDRENS+COG, LINE 1 or MARKET

So how about we do the rest and leave the Castle till last so we know how much time we have to spend on it.

 

[Donbacsi]

Again I see the worry lines forming on Mark's pretty little face. ABURP2 will provide for all the sights (and more), in an orderly fashion, and there should be plenty of time to gorge and shop at the end. However, it will require a little compromise on the part of Lord Wrinklebutt.

 

[Mark_Lester]

WE NEED TO DROP ONE OF CASTLE, CHILDRENS+COG, LINE 1 or MARKET.

so what if we do children's first.
if we beeline for that we should be able to make huvosvolgy for 14:10,
so that's varosmajor for 15:20. you'd need to leave the castle at 16:30, is there a bus that goes up the hill from moskva, through the old city ?, yes, the 16a, 16 and 116 i think.

I guess we should really get the 16a bus down the hill (every 6 mins takes 4) rather than my back door ,as it will roll through the old town and leave us without a subsequent tram change, just a 61 straight to the end, every 5 mins takes 15.
2:30 departure from castle hill would be pushing it, but you should still make it for 3:10 at the bottom of the childrens. and 4:20 back at varosmajor.
if you were late by the time you got to varos major on the way out, you could get off and get the 3:00 or 3:20 cog up and get the 4:00 departure down on the children's, which would leave you at huvosvolgy at 4:40 (would have to dump the line 1 cameo, or do some if you can still get out of the market early, but we'll have shopping bags then)

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Looks like the Musee d'Orsay will have to go. How about this as a stand in

http://www.placesinfrance.com/train_bleu_restaurant_paris.html

Our timings are probably wrong for the (v pricey) restaurant but they do have an all day bar.

Or this one in a converted Railway baggage hall

http://www.placesinfrance.com/apollo_restaurant_in_paris.html

I ate there a few years ago and it was v good. A few stops along the Metro from Montparnasse.

 

[Donbacsi]

Cabal: For a brief respite from the the Scarlet Pimpernel itinerary, I suggest the following.
Rent a copy of "Kontroll", a Hungarian dark comedy(is there any other kind?) It takes place entirely inside and is about the lives within the Hungarian Metro.

 

[Mark_Lester]

Looks like the Musee d'Orsay will have to go. How about this as a stand in

http://www.placesinfrance.com/train_bleu_restaurant_paris.html

Our timings are probably wrong for the (v pricey) restaurant but they do have an all day bar.

Or this one in a converted Railway baggage hall

http://www.placesinfrance.com/apollo_restaurant_in_paris.html

I ate there a few years ago and it was v good. A few stops along the Metro from Montparnasse.

our timings exclude a sit down anywhere, there arent many places that will let +10 sit down after 3pm or before 7. certainly nothing fancy I'd have thought.

just seen where d'orsay is, shame that
we've got bag drop to work out, so we may be best going straight to nord to sort that out for about 2:30ish. I guess we need to be back there before 7:30 for an 8:15 train. so that's a good bagless 4 1/2 hours to kill.

 

[Donbacsi]

Can't some of these stops have an advanced reservation at desired locales? A private room, or even an otherwise empty main room if there are assurances or advanced gratuities to retain the staff for the desired time. If all the workers know cash will be splashed, I should think they would stick around for the event. Except, perhaps, the Frogs.
What I suggest is that there be a pre-arranged fixed menu...everyone will dash in and the plates or buffet will be ready. It should be pretty easy for a limited staff to prepare something like this. If everyone agrees (not likely) to eat the same thing, it should be a walk in the park.

 

[Mark_Lester]

Can't some of these stops have an advanced reservation at desired locales? A private room, or even an otherwise empty main room if there are assurances or advanced gratuities to retain the staff for the desired time. If all the workers know cash will be splashed, I should think they would stick around for the event. Except, perhaps, the Frogs.

The chances of that happening specially on our behalf in Paris are remote in the extreme, but I'm sure we'll find a plate of the day somewhere.
I guess we could spend the entire time queuing to go up the tower. I went up it as a kid, it was the first level that most impressed me.

I guess this is an obvious
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montmartre_funicular

there is also the highrise line 6 that goes close to th tower, we could do that on the way to nord to drop the bags, change at charles de gaull etoile onto line 2.
or may be just go straight to nord on line 4, then do this entire circle line of line 2 and line 6, most of the overground is south of the river. get off at the tower, get back on, finish up at montmarte and this little rack, eat, station.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

there is also the highrise line 6 that goes close to th tower, we could do that on the way to nord to drop the bags, change at charles de gaull etoile onto line 2.
or may be just go straight to nord on line 4, then do this entire circle line of line 2 and line 6, most of the overground is south of the river. get off at the tower, get back on, finish up at montmarte and this little rack, eat, station.

The 2 & 6 circuit is pretty good. There is some above ground north of the river. You see quite a bit of the city and we could drop off for a rail themed aperitif at one of those spots mentioned above. If we get day passes we can hop on & off as suits and get the Eiffel Tower piccy. Not sure how much extra mileage we would get out of a full circuit but we have time to work it out.

Line 6 = 13.6 km

Line 2 = 12.7 km but we need to knock a bit off for the stub at the western end that is outside the circle.

 

[Mark_Lester]

The 2 & 6 circuit is pretty good. There is some above ground north of the river. You see quite a bit of the city and we could drop off for a rail themed aperitif at one of those spots mentioned above. If we get day passes we can hop on & off as suits and get the Eiffel Tower piccy. Not sure how much extra mileage we would get out of a full circuit but we have time to work it out.

Line 6 = 13.6 km

Line 2 = 12.7 km but we need to knock a bit off for the stub at the western end that is outside the circle.

so straight to nord,
dump bags
360 clockwise on circle including tower stop off
end up montmartre funicular at i estimate 4pm

need somewhere to eat & drink in that neck of the woods. actually Montmartre sounds outstanding imho.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
we should do this, it's yards form the roller coaster.
http://www.torredecollserola.com/
there's a lift on the outside of it, see short account half way down here "torre de collserole"
http://www.igougo.com/journal-j16403-Barcelona-Offseason_Barcelona.html#1179592

 

[Glenmutchkin]

so straight to nord,
dump bags
360 clockwise on circle including tower stop off
end up montmartre funicular at i estimate 4pm

need somewhere to eat & drink in that neck of the woods. actually Montmartre sounds outstanding imho.

How about we build in a noggin at the Train Bleu's bar. It's not too far from where we have to change from the 2 to the 6.

we should do this, it's yards form the roller coaster.
http://www.torredecollserola.com/

It's not open every day so we would need to see how it fits when we set the dates. Also shut daily between 14.00 and 15.15. Couldn't spot a price mentioned on the website. Not sure where it fits in a railway tour.

 

[Mark_Lester]

How about we build in a noggin at the Train Bleu's bar. It's not too far from where we have to change from the 2 to the 6.



It's not open every day so we would need to see how it fits when we set the dates. Also shut daily between 14.00 and 15.15. Couldn't spot a price mentioned on the website. Not sure where it fits in a railway tour.

well it's directly between the two stations, see map. zoom out a little
http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=41.41755&lon=2.11414&zoom=17&layers=M
we should be off that roller coaster well before 12.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
OK I'm totally sold on this
http://www.le-train-bleu.com/uk
even forking out for a set menu.
but it's going to be shut unless the bar stays open all afternoon, I guess we could just make it for a short sharp calvados before 3pm.
http://www.guide2paris.com/restaurants/21/Le-Train-Bleu

 

[Glenmutchkin]

According to the second article you posted about the tower it is Eu 8 each. The map link you sent won't open. Not sure if it is the link or my ancient laptop. is it a map of Barcelona or Paris?


Train Bleu

http://www.placesinfrance.com/train_...ant_paris.html

Our timings are probably wrong for the (v pricey) restaurant but they do have an all day bar.

We would do metro from Montparnasse to Gare du Nord. Check bags. Line 2 to Nation Line 1 two stops to Gare de Lyon. Swift one. Back to Nation. Line 2 to Tour Eiffel (can't remember the stop name) , photo , line 6 to Etoile, line 2 back to Nord.

 

[Mark_Lester]

According to the second article you posted about the tower it is Eu 8 each. The map link you sent won't open. Not sure if it is the link or my ancient laptop. is it a map of Barcelona or Paris?


Train Bleu


We would do metro from Montparnasse to Gare du Nord. Check bags. Line 2 to Nation Line 1 two stops to Gare de Lyon. Swift one. Back to Nation. Line 2 to Tour Eiffel (can't remember the stop name) , photo , line 6 to Etoile, line 2 back to Nord.

montparnasse
garre du nord
bags
nation line 2
garde du lyon, line 1, or mainline ?
bercy, oh wow, look at llyon and bercy stations, it's like victoria and exchange, sort of.
so then to the tower, blk hakeim on line 6, i would guess the best way to approach the tower is clockwise.
line 6 charles de gaul
line 2 anvers
walk funicular
funicular
walk down via some kind of eatery
nord

 

[Glenmutchkin]

The train Bleu does offer function catering for parties, groups etc but this might put pressure on the budget. Type bar into the search on their website, then read down the page that it delivers.
Disappointingly their bar is called the Big Ben - not very French, not very railway. Perhaps we could arrange a view of the restaurant with cocktails and canapes or something.
This would be getting close to the end, particularly if not everybody is headed back to London so some sort of closing/awards ceremony might be in order.

 

[Mark_Lester]

a round of canapes and cocktails sounds great, but there's certainly a budget issue, we could spend an arbitrary amount of money in there.
lets see where we end up on the budget. £2,000 seems doable, that's £1,000 ticket and then £70 spends a day, and we are picnicking and 5 euros on a metro pass most days. I think everyone will be going all the way, but will disperse immediately at london, so yes paris, and the train back, are the finale toast.
i did see the £11,000 (sharing!) for next years paris to istanbul orient express. i know they are nice carriages but jeez, this would presumably cost about 40 to £50,000.

 

[Donbacsi]

Will the final toast be Black Tie or White Tie?

 

[Glenmutchkin]

we should be off that roller coaster well before 12.

Oh no we won't. Doesn't start running until noon. Also Eu 25.20 each (discounts for students and over 60s)

Tibidabo funicular is Eu 4.10 return. Needs adding to list of Metro costs.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/barcelona/A1325.html

I'd rather put that towards cocktails and canapes but will maintain group solidarity.

Will the final toast be Black Tie or White Tie?

If we are in France it will probably be Pain Grille. (There must be an e acute somewhere on here.)



Seriously, this question needs to be referred to our Protocol Guru.

 

[Mark_Lester]

Oh no we won't. Doesn't start running until noon. Also Eu 25.20 each (discounts for students and over 60s)

Tibidabo funicular is Eu 4.10 return. Needs adding to list of Metro costs.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/barcelona/A1325.html

I'd rather put that towards cocktails and canapes but will maintain group solidarity.



If we are in France it will probably be Pain Grille. (There must be an e acute somewhere on here.)



Seriously, this question needs to be referred to our Protocol Guru.

my understanding is that the roller coaster isnt in the park itself.
it says 2 of the 3 signature rides arent.

aggh, they've turned wiki off.

humf, may be it is in the park, this guy did it six times
http://www.rollercoasterphilosophy.com/tag/muntanya-russa/
I'm yielding a little, though the lift to the top of the tower for 5 bucks might suffice.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Roller Coaster Philosphy!!!!!!

God there are some weird people about.