New ‘bullet’ train to connect two major European cities – and Brits can join at Paris
FOR those with a fear of flying, or perhaps just want to lessen their carbon footprint, travelling by train is a perfect alternative.
There is now a brand new high-speed train that takes passengers from Paris and Berlin, making European travel even more accessible.
It was a revelation when the Eurostar from London to Paris was launched in 1994, transporting Brits to Paris in just over two hours.
Now, holidaymakers can hop on the train to the city of love and then mooch over to Berlin – all by train.
There’s a catch though, while a flight from France to Germany takes just 1 hour and 45 minutes, the bullet train will set travellers back eight hours.
The direct bullet train launched on December 16 and does just one trip every day.
According to Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner, the new railway connection, operated in collaboration with France’s SNCF “is also a good symbol of the German-French friendship.”
The launch comes as Deutsche Bahn tries to shake off its reputation for tardiness, after just 60 percent of its long-distance trains arrived on time.
The new train stops en route in Frankfurt, Karlsruhe and Strasbourg.
The westbound train is scheduled to arrive in Paris just before 8pm, while the eastbound arrives in Berlin just after 6pm.
There is also a slower direct overnight train between the two capitals which will run three times a week.
German Transport Minister Volker Wissing said: “We still have a lot of potential to get as many people as possible onto the rails inside Europe with attractive offers, including for longer journeys and live out this friendship.”
This comes after Elon Musk announced his idea for a tunnel to run between London and New York.
The proposed $20 trillion vacuum tube tunnel could whizz passengers across the pond in as little as 54 minutes.
Initial plans for the ambitious tunnel system have been around for years with Musk not being involved in the blueprints.
Clever architects and developers are said to be working on the possibility of creating a tunnel and a train which is capable of reaching speeds of up to 3,000mph.
The innovative idea is to create a vacuum within the tunnel that when paired with pressurised vehicles causes the almighty speeds.
News outlet Newsweek reports: “By creating a vacuum within the tunnel and using pressurised vehicles, trains travelling along the structure could theoretically reach speeds of more than 3,000 mph.
“Making the journey between London and New York barely an hour long.”
Despite researchers claiming to have the ability and knowledge to create such a fast-paced and simple route they are still facing major issues.
Transforming the idea into reality is expected to cost up to $20 trillion (£15.8tn).
The almighty cost is believed to be the biggest stumbling block for any ambitious entrepreneur, bold businessman or even a nation itself to fund the project.