World´s Cab Rides

Welcome aboard this Intercity service linking Paris-Gare-de-Lyon to Clermont-Ferrand. Pulled with ease by a valiant BB26000, the 14 cars of this express will cover the 419km linking the City of Lights to the Puy-de-Dôme prefecture in just over 3 hours. We will successively take the following lines or sections of lines: - the section from Paris-Gare-de-Lyon to Moret-Veneux-les-Sablons of the line from Paris-Lyon to Marseille-Saint-Charles, known as the “imperial artery” - the section from Moret to Saint-Germain-des-Fossés of the line from Moret - Veneux-les-Sablons to Lyon-Perrache - the section from Saint-Germain-des-Fossés to Vichy of the line from Saint-Germain-des- Fossés to Darsac - the line from Vichy to Riom and finally, the section from Riom - Châtel-Guyon to Clermont-Ferrand of the line from Saint-Germain-des-Fossés to Nîmes-Courbessac. Opened in 1858, its history has fluctuated over the years. It was only in 1990 that the entire route was fully electrified, followed by the opening of 200 km/h sections in 2008. Please note, the trains starts in the Gare-de-Lyon, the station is however incorrectly labelled as Bercy. The stations are however practically side by side. We wish you all a pleasant trip, don’t hesitate to leave a comment!I hope you enjoyed the video.

It is in the Pyrenees that we meet for this new video, more precisely on the Bayonne - Toulouse line. For those who don't know, the Pyrenees is a mountain range in south western France, separating the Iberian peninsula from the rest of Europe. It was in 1913 that the relatively early electrification for the time of this line began, at 12 kV - 16.66 Hz due in particular to the steep gradient of the line, and the large number of pilgrim trains heading to Lourdes. It was only from 1923 that the more typically French 1.5 kV - DC appeared. Astoundingly, many of the original catenary posts and yokes are still standing and in service today. Also note the way the catenary lines are mounted in the curves - an older slanted technique which requires much more skill to accomplish. There are only a few lines left in Switzerland and France that have maintained this older design. We will cover the 321 km today aboard a Régiolis Z51500 which will easily tackle the Capverne ramp and its 33‰ (3.3%) ramps. Still partly equipped with manual block signals, you will be able to observe some of the last mechanical signals still in service in France. As you will see, many stations and branch lines connecting to our main artery are unfortunately closed today, to our great regret. The beauty of the landscapes crossed by this atypical line in France and not yet available on Rumble strongly encouraged us to make this video, we hope that you will enjoy it and that you will tell us in the comments what you thought of it. We wish you a pleasant trip through the Pyrenees!

In this video we'll be heading up to the Niesen peak on one of the world's longest scenic funiculars, climbing over 1'600 metres (5'250 ft.) alongside the world's longest staircase. The Niesen is the first of a range of mountains stretching from Spiez through to Adelboden in the Bernese Highlands. From Spiez, it almost has the appearance of a pyramid, earning it he nickname "Swiss Pyramid". The top offers a breathtaking 360 degree panorama of the surrounding alps and lakes, especially on clear days like this one. The video also includes a walk around the top, with the views it has to offer. The Niesen has been a popular spot for visitors for hundreds of years, leading to the opening of a hotel at the top in 1856. Around the same time, the feasibility of building a railway to the top was examined, however the plans were for a cog wheel railway from Wimmis (in the adjacent valley, on the otherside of the mountain). This was not perused due to it's high cost, but in all, 3 main attempts were made to realise the railway. With the new Spiez - Frutigen railway opening in 1901, the potential for a Niesen railway from the Kander valley grew more appealing. It was this variation that came to fruition, with the funicular proving to be much more cost effective to build and maintain. The line was opened in the summer of 1910.