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scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Ever thought of taking the Choo-choo from Dammam to Hofuf or Riyadh ?

Telephone 827 4000 and get the lowdown from a charming (prerecorded) female voice - in English !

Watch this space for a report of the Caledonian and His Travels to Riyadh !

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Never done it but I believe it's a very pleasant trip and that it is generally an excellent service. Very reasonably-priced too, from what I hear. Please do keep us posted, Scot.

I can imagine sitting there with the desert gliding by, listening to Kraftwerk's Trans Europe Express.

Rendezvous on the Champs Elysees,
Leave Paris in the morning
On TEE

In Vienna we sit,
In a late night cafe,
Straight connection on TEE

From station to station
Back to Dusseldorf City,
Meet Iggy Pop and David Bowie,
Trans Europe Express.

We could have a Trans Arabia Express:

Rendezvous on Thahlia Street,
Leave Riyadh in the morning
On TAE

In Hofuf we sit
In a late night cafe
Delayed connection,
On TAE

From station to station
Back to the Eastern Province,
Meet Cat Stevens and Michael Jackson,
Trans Arabia Express.

Actually, I see that Cat has made a bit of a comeback. Voice not quite what it used to be, but a wonderful songwriter in his time. Always admired Cat!

Is Whacko still in Bahro? Anyone seen him at the bar in Digger's? Twisted Evil

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Hey Scot,

How was the choo-choo trip on the TAE?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It was good
I recommend it. Get a VIP ticket. None of this First Class nonsense !

There is a webiste with all you need to know.

Evan2009 · Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Posts: 41

Does anyone have an update on the train? I've heard that the VIP class has TVs which I should think can be pretty annoying.

Johnz · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 13

I've taken the train 3 or 4 times over the last 2 years. It's fine... cheap comfortable, but very slow c.f car/ plane. It is probably advisable to reserve a seat, particularly during school hols. Though take care, tickets must be paid for and collected within 24 hrs of the reservation. The ticket office doesn't accept credit cards... cash only.
There are tv monitors in the VIP class, playing nature programmes/ cartoons on silent, so they are fairly unobtrusive. Take a book/ ipod/ laptop to keep yourself occupied. The only real negative was my first time to travel and the a/c was absolutely icy... fortunately I had warm clothing. VIP seating is mixed, whereas the 1st class wagon has 'singles' seating facing away from the 'families' seating. VIP class has powerpoints for laptops.

Hope that's of use....

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I enjoyed my journey and if I have to go to Riyadh again (GOD FORFEND ) I will take the train.