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I'm at work... ironically.
I was on a double-decker RE to Friedrichshafen, in September, and I didn't find it particularly comfortable (cramped, I would agree) but they're fine for shorter journeys.
Re voltage, I think new trains can be configured to operate at different ratings.
In terms of track gauge, most of Europe uses Standard which is 1435mm (4ft). Russia/former Soviet states uses 5ft (~1520mm), Ireland 1600mm and Iberia a whopping 1668mm.
Ben689908-
I was on a double-decker RE to Friedrichshafen, in September, and I didn't find it particularly comfortable (cramped, I would agree) but they're fine for shorter journeys.
Shorter journeys, yes, but they're also increasingly being used for ICs, not only for Regionalbahnen or Regionalexpresse. There's also the issue with the €9/49/whatever next ticket that many more people are now taking long trips by non-IC or ICE trains, so there are definitely more longer journeys being made on them in this way, and not just in last year's cheap holiday frenzy mode.
Re voltage, I think new trains can be configured to operate at different ratings.
Yes, the ICE between Frankfurt and Bruxelles (Midi) does that. It changes voltage somewhere around Aachen. Once recently that facility was broken and because they've taken away all the slower trains between Aachen and Bruxelles it all became quite difficult.
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most of Europe uses Standard which is 1435mm (4ft)
ahem 4ft 8 1/2 inches
Oliver Schick
el_presidente
Well, what are you waiting for? :)
I'd say compatibility with the Continent (which has its own compatibility issues to sort out, not only in terms of loading gauges but also voltage).
I know it all gets into can-of-worms territory.
I'm agnostic on double-deckers. I personally don't like the new German ones I know, mainly because I find the layout cramped and uncomfortable (although older ones were better). They're probably the only thing from East Germany that has been embraced on a large scale.