ericn32 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

The official equivalent. It's a pretty screwed up system. There is one "high-speed" route between Washington, New York, and Boston as well as other commuter routes across the country, co-sponsored by state governments. Long distance trains connect the entire system, but some big cities (Las Vegas, San Francisco) have no Amtrak service. They are served by local commuter trains owned by counties, cities, or regions that connect to Amtrak. I live 50 km south of Los Angeles and ride the train often.

FrenchySam (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

@ Superscordes: I lived in England for 6 years, I've never told anybody that English trains are better ! Moreover, I think my opinion is more objective than yours since I'm French and I used SNCF many times : you're right, people will know what to think...@ ericn32: I've never been lucky with trains (always missed my transferts, often missed my flights). SNCF is always late too, staff is heinous too, service (except the TGV) are slow too.But what's Amtrak ? The equivalent of SNCF in the USA?

ericn32 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I thought the SNCF was great (except for the strikes, named "social movements"), but it is a lot farther ahead than goddamn Amtrak.Here in the US, trains are never on time, a lot of staff is overly rude, and service is slow. Don't complain about the SNCF- because Amtrak is shit sometimes, and I love that company. Seriously though, there are too few trains here, and the ones that exist are pitiful.

superscordes (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Shame on You!!! How could you deny our service of trains... Even if they are not always on time, every thing is made up to... Every one in this compagny is working toward that and blaming such a great institution is not very responsible. I'd like you to go in england and to compare with their train systems. Nothing is sync, none can drive you troughout the stream of passenger in the stations... Blame SNCF as much a you want but people know really what to think... Come and visit us !

FrenchySam (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

When you're French, you quickly understand that auto transportation is really faster than our fu***** national rail service : always in late (as a consequence you cannot get any transfert), too expensive, heinous crew... That's a pleasure to travel with SNCF...Don't forget : that's ONLY an ad... reality is a thousand miles away !

FrenchySam (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You're totally right !!But French don't want to adknowledge it...I hope there will be some competition soon...Fed up with late trains !

wintelcore (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Ya podian Aprender los de Renfe en España....

Velaro87 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I realy like that clip. It shows how well the SNCF has done in the recent past (and however, that the SNCF has a good advertising agency.

srotagadirolf (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Uh, no we don't. We're better suited with auto transportation considering the distances we have to travel. And besides, the trains are always late in France. SNCF has no competition, so they don't give a rat's behind if they're on time or not. Socalism: Ain't it Grand?

newsmaniaingaidai (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

i really wanna take train trips around Europe...especially UK, France and Germany.