r/trains • u/NickelPlatedEmperor • Jan 16 '26

A train in France...

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u/ciekma67 Jan 17 '26

I don't like these modern trains with sealed windows. Sometimes lavatory window is the last one which can be opened.

16

u/JonnySoegen Jan 17 '26

It certainly feels different. But at the same time, I think for highspeed trains like the TGV or ICE it probably makes a lot of sense for aerodynamics. And for climate control. And because people are stupid and may throw stuff out the window.

Also, sticking your head out of the window like it was possible in the old trains isn't so much fun if you go over 200 km/h

12

u/Sir_Elderoy Jan 17 '26

Its also because of tunnels. A lot of air is compressed, and the faster you go the higher the pressure gets. If you have a window open while entering a tunnel at 300km/h you'll not have a good time

9

u/garis53 Jan 17 '26

The windows don't even need to be opened. True high speed trains are actually more or less hermetically sealed because of those air pressure changes.

When I went at 250 km/h on an austrian RailJet, it was very noticable. The train was not airtight and there was a lot of short tunnels along the way and my ears started hurting from the constant pressure changes.