I do seem to remember there being sockets.
There are definitely in the 700 series, not on the 200 series, however. Had 705 on the way down to Nice, but had 219 on the way back. My phone is absolutely horrendous for battery; I think it spends more time on charge than it does off these days!
theageofthetra said:
If possible and its not too busy do try and sit on the lower level at some point you really get a fantastic impression of the speed.
I have sat downstairs before and I can't stand it. You can't walk through to the other carriages; there is only one way in and one way out and at Paris people who are not travelling but are saying goodbye to relatives go on board to their loved one's seats and it gets very crowded as they're just stood in the aisles. Not only that but the luggage area is FAR too small and cases are being arranged everywhere! It really isn't ideal having one entrance in and out (a bit like Coach A on an FGW HST).
Also, because it is a bi-level train, the lower deck is hideously low to the ground and when we are at platforms all you see is people's feet! But the worst is when you are travelling. Especially on the stretch between Paris and Aix-en-Provence, the train is going so fast that all you can see when you want to look out of the window at the view is the ballast of the line and it makes you very dizzy. That's just me though!
theageofthetra said:
There is an increasing problem with luggage being interfered with or stolen at some of the stations on this route. I prefer to book a seat where I can see my luggage or get a seat at the far end up against the bulkhead and keep the case with me.
That is very true. I just put my case in the luggage rack upstairs. My case isn't too heavy and we always get on at the starting point of the train and alight at the terminus so there is no problem trying to get it off in a hurry!
Double deck TGVs have the following number series:
201 - 289, which work both the SE and Atlantique routes.
601 - 619, which are all allocated SE.
701 - 752, which are all allocated SE but I have seen one at Montparnasse...
801 - 825, currently being delivered, will turn up anywhere.
4701 - 4730, intended to work Paris - Zurich, Paris - Munich and Frankfurt - Marseille.
So there is quite a range the stock could be drawn from, especially on the SE route...
Wow, I didn't know there were such a wide range of double deckers! I thought there was only the 200, 600 and 700 series.
From what I read, 601-619 are distinctive in having old-style "Réseau" power cars.
Yes, that is correct.
jopsuk said:
What are the numbers of the modified Ouigo sets?
The Ouigo sets are in the high 700s. I have seen unit 762 in Montpellier-Saint-Roch.
They are very colourful. Here's a picture of
761 in Lyon-Jean Macé.
