The biggest obstacle that you must overcome when traveling by train is getting the baggage on the train. The design of train cars puts the floor level a good distance above the platform level. The photo on the right shows typical train car steps. The first step is 12"-16" above the platform. From that step there are three more steps (each 9" above the previous) to the platform train floor level. (This means that the floor level is 39"-43" above the platform level, and 27" away from its edge.) This picture shows you a worst case scenerio as more and more of the cars have a lower floor level profile and fewer stairs.

We now look at three additional examples of Regional trains. The first two show that there is one less step between the platform and the train car floor. In addition, the doorway is considerably wider. The third is the newest style Regional train (photo taken in Civitavecchia.) This car has one step less than the two other cars shown. In addition, the first step is 3"-6" closer to the platform level.

The next sequence of photos is included to illustrate a couple of very important points. The photos were taken as people boarded the Leonardo Express at the FCO airport station. The time lapse between the three photos is 23 seconds.

In the first photo we see a gentleman with a large, older style suitcase. In the second photo we see him attempting to lift the bag on board. A newer style suitcase that would allow him to turn it vertically and lift by the handle on the end would have made things much easier. Note the appearance of the other gentleman with a somewhat smaller bag. In the third photo our first gentleman is still wrestling with his bag while the other gentleman is long gone. Smaller bags make it quicker and easier to board a train.

Multiple people traveling together with multiple bags requires a teamwork plan. One person, carrying a heavy bag, boards the train and places the bag in the corridor. The other person hands (tosses) the remaining bags up and boards the train. (Do not be surprised if other passengers offer to help as they cannot get on until you do. Accept graciously and be certain to thank them.) Line the bags in single file along the corridor so that others may get by.

While one person stands watch over the bags, the other scouts out your seating location. Move your bags to your seating location. Storage can be problematic – choices include overhead, behind your seat (or others), on the floor at your feet, in your lap or an empty seat, or at the end of the train car. If you must choose the later, secure all bags to the train with a locking (combination type) cable or strap; and be certain that somebody is near these bags at each intermediate stop that the train may make. Whatever you do, you want your luggage in plain sight at all times (be obvious that you are watching it.)

Traveling on Italian trains is easy and inexpensive. Traveling on trains with baggage is not difficult if you plan ahead for it. During our Oct '08 trip we took twenty-one different trains (Regional, Intercity Plus, and Eurostar); six of those we with baggage (4-Regional, 1-Intercity Plus, and 1-Eurostar.)

Take a very close look at your luggage. If it doesn't have good, sturdy wheels - replace it. If you cannot lift it by a handle on top when it is standing on end - replace it. If the bag is larger than 24" (lengthwise), consider another bag; anything larger will probably be too big to roll down the isle in a 2nd class train car. This last trip we carried 1-19", 2-21" and 1-24" plus two backpacks (down about 15% in volume from the previous trip.)

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