A great journey ruined by one thing... France to Switzerland with SNCF

[@DylansTravelReports]

So, basically, how this video came about is, I was sitting watching some of my older videos and got a bit nostalgic, so I thought I'd bash one together for old times sake. I purely chose this one as it's a video that I had originally started editing as a voice-over video months ago, but it didn't feel quite right, and I had planned to just not release it all together. That said, I did have great fun making this, and I may do more again in the not so distant future, especially as I now have a "proper" job alongside KZbin too, and it would take the pressure off me quite a bit, as captioned videos are significantly less time consuming than their voice-over counterparts. Again, I wouldn't do away with voice-over videos, but maybe try to strike a balance. Idk, it's all a bit speculative atm. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, and let me know what you think 😁

[@maimadha]

Your videos are the best

[@AnnabelSmyth]

I massively prefer the text-only ones! Thanks for going back to it. Glad to hear you have a "proper" job.

[@carolinegreenwell9086]

I understand your reasoning, but I very much prefer the narration

[@j3xk72r9]

You will certainly lose this subscriber!

[@paulthiel5145]

​@@j3xk72r9Bye 👋

[@DylansTravelReports]

So, basically, how this video came about is, I was sitting watching some of my older videos and got a bit nostalgic, so I thought I'd bash one together for old times sake. I purely chose this one as it's a video that I had originally started editing as a voice-over video months ago, but it didn't feel quite right, and I had planned to just not release it all together. That said, I did have great fun making this, and I may do more again in the not so distant future, especially as I now have a "proper" job alongside KZbin too, and it would take the pressure off me quite a bit, as captioned videos are significantly less time consuming than their voice-over counterparts. Again, I wouldn't do away with voice-over videos, but maybe try to strike a balance. Idk, it's all a bit speculative atm. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, and let me know what you think 😁

[@gazwj]

I do have a soft spot for the captioned vids, its like ASMR for me 😌😌😌

[@EnergiseWrestling]

No pinned comment but I hope your continuing the talkies - you are very good at what you do - i watch every week

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@zayn5987]

While I do prefer the voiceovers, I like how the sounds give you that ambient feel in captioned videos

[@vyashtuijnman6417]

As good as your voice overs are (clearly spoken, easy to follow etc), I've always preferred captioned trip reports because it captures the sounds of the experience so well it almost feels like I'm actually there. Almost like an ASMR experience. Still, I've also enjoyed your voice over vids and watch them regularly. All your videos, wether captioned or ''voice-overed,'' are exceptionally well done and informative 👍

[@lynn47001]

I used to like your earlier videos without voiceover, not saying I don’t like the new ones but I think if you do some with and some without, everyone’s happy 😊

[@nvire5202]

I'm actually going to soon be a driver for SNCF TER Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, I live in Aix-les-Bains and I applied for being a driver based in Grenoble, feels weird seeing where I live, and a route that I have taken quite a few times already on your channel, great video even though I would prefer to hear a voice instead of reading the captions, and I was sure that there would be complaints of the cleanliness of the trains, and you didn't even see the worst ones😅 the push pull units are aged and break down a lot and are dirty too so yeah... the Z24500 is the better of trains running in the region

[@SeverityOne]

Your views on the journey are a lot clearer than the views out of the window. Nice to see Lake Geneva, with that absolutely bonkers fountain - something you wouldn't expect from straight-laced and respectable Switzerland.

[@keithparker1346]

Jet d'eau. Geneva has some little interesting places to visit. I wonder if they still have the food chain Chez Ma Cousine which basically sells half a roast chicken chips and salad for a reasonable price. Oh one quirky place to visit is the Swatch museum

[@lindseyrea9237]

It is the French bit of Switzerland - they do things differently there!

[@keithparker1346]

​@@lindseyrea9237I used to live in the Leman region for about 8 years. I could rattle off a list of pros and cons but that would be boring however I think the public transport network is top notch and something many countries should try and emulate

[@ludwigtails]

Ahhh it’s just like old times when I first started watching Dylan’s travel reports. I wouldn’t mind having no voice over at all! I would like some of the future videos to be like this too!

[@johnnorris8567]

As always a good presentation. Thank you.

[@theexcaliburone5933]

I always liked the CC videos, this’ll be a treat

[@trainlagged]

First class is not declassified. It rarely is. The region AURA is one of the ones with the most first class I believe. Although as you have noticed, the seats are the exact same in 1st and 2nd (no difference whatsoever) there tends to be a significant difference in “quietness”. And yes, dirty windows… thank SNCF.

[@centralcoastbound]

Great idea Dylan, especially if you’re working a lot more these days. Make it easier on you and your family.

[@kevinellis8869]

More than happy with either style of presentation, hope the new job is going OK.

[@michaelformaini7053]

Congratulations on the new "real" job, Dylan. The interior of this train appears quite comfy and the upper deck is similar in dimensions to Sydney Train's units down here in Aus. I noted your displeasure at the state of the windows and one thing occurred to me that it may not be a lack of cleaning but that SNCF may have put sacrificial anti-graffiti coating over all windows (except the driver's of course). The worst windows I have seen on a train are those on Adelaide's Class 3000 units. They are a hybrid of hardened perspex and glass and almost impossible to view through when attacked by scratch vandals. Now let's hear your cherpy voice again!🙂🙂🙂

[@Andrewjg_89]

France to Switzerland is quite a unique train ride. With lots of breathtaking scenes to look out the window whilst travelling on the train. Plus Gare de Chambéry - Challes-Les-Eaux railway station is very big and massive.

[@JamieWhiteman-sy7jq]

Hi, how are the controlls. Do you need to show your passport/ID card in the train? Also from France to Italy?

[@John_Fugazzi]

A nice surprise since I wasn't expecting anything until Monday. I assume it's Old School Dylan's Travel Reports because it's faster just to add text; I like the voiceovers, so I hope this is just this once. No word for how bad those windows were, especially in such a scenic place.

[@Fan652w]

Very interesting video! But more importantly, if you are going to show on Monday another Swiss journey, you need to stress that almost everybody on the train will not be paying the full single fare. If resident in Switzerland they will have an all Swiss public transport season ticket called a General Abonnement, or a 50% discount ticket called a Halb Taxe Abonnement. If tourists, they will probably have a Swiss Travel Pass (same validity as the GA) or a multinational Interrail.

[@marc21091]

This was a journey on wholly on SNCF, not on SBB.Fare levels look reasonable.

[@Fan652w]

@@marc21091SNCF fares are reasonable, but you have missed my point. I was talking about Swiss fares. In a fairly recent video of a Geneva to Chur trip Dylan commented adversely on the extremely high single fare, 109 Franks first class. He rejoiced about the fact that he was on an Interrail. He totally omitted to mention the GA and the HTA. Worse still, he did not mention the Swiss Travel Pass, used by countless visitors to Switzerland. The STP is valid not just on trains, but on buses, trams and (very important to visitors to Switzerland) the boats.

[@keithparker1346]

​@@Fan652whaving lived in Switzerland between 2008 and 2016 I would say that the country is really poor at promoting the discount tickets....maybe it's changed since

[@Fan652w]

@@keithparker1346 Swiss residents certainly know about the discount fares. About 400,000 have GAs, Over three million (one-third of the population) have HTAs. As you were resident in Switzerland, you would not have been eligible for a Swiss Travel Pass. A GA currently costs 3860 Franks a year, going up to 3995 in December. Contrast a Brighton to London annual season ticket, which is now just over £5000.

[@keithparker1346]

@@Fan652w Dylan would not be a resident so would not be aware...which is the core of my point

[@thomastaylor6595]

The captions were a nice step back in time but for me I prefer the voice overs. It’s been nice over the past 2 years to see your confidence grow and your great personality coming across though the voice overs. For me (again only my opinion) I find the captioned videos harder to follow and I fear it missing out on the visual content, also hard to read on some backgrounds. Ultimately though it’s up to you what format to use and that might change week to week (imagine voice overs are more work) I prefer the voice overs though with your great personality showing though 😊

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Thank you for this interesting video. The SNCF Class Z26500 units are excellent in every way, and should be the envy of any U.K rail traveller. It appears the only thing you found wrong with the train was dirty windows, which could have been due to the carriage washing plant being out of action in order to preserve water in the very hot weather ! Yesterday I had the misfortune to travel in a GWR HST from Exeter to Cardiff, yes, one of those units so eulogised by U.K fail fans. Apart from the fact it was 40 years old, had creaking suspension, and no air conditioning, it had absolutely filthy windows, and an interior which was unbelievably dirty. How I wish any rail operator in the U.K had the equivalent of a SNCF double deck regional train !

[@AlbinoMuntjac]

I doubt it was very hot in the French alps in January...

[@anthonywarrener1881]

@@AlbinoMuntjac perhaps the carriage washing plant was frozen ?!!!

[@larshelmin]

I like the layout of these specific TER-trains. Other operators have other layouts which are not so good ( Looking at you SJ ) When the windows are clean it is also a scenic route 😀

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip. Yeah cleanliness is important, especially on exterior.

[@keithparker1346]

I would say as a traveller I'd be more concerned about the interior cleanliness

[@rezaalan3991]

@@keithparker1346 for interior, it's a must

[@brendenkennedy4304]

Absolutely stunning views for sure. Keep up the great work sir.

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Excellent video, as always. Thanks Dylan. What a shame the windows were so filthy. SNCF always used to take pride in the cleanliness of their trains. A Swiss operator would, I’m sure, have never let a dirty train loose on the rail network. I enjoy the captioned videos as well as the narrated ones. If they’re easier to do then I’d say do them that way, especially as you now have less free time. Good luck with the new job.

[@marc21091]

At first sight this service is not shown in the European Rail Timetable.The line between Chambéry and Bellegarde is marked on the map as covered by Tables 341/345, but these show no trains between Chambéry and Geneva Cornavin. The line between Valence and Chambéry is marked as Table 364, and that table does have Geneva in the title. Table 364 shows the train: Valence dep 06.44, Chambéry 08.39/08.42,Geneva arr 10.00. (2022 edition)

[@NSE465]

I miss your voiced video style however the asmr of stations and trains is satisfying weirdly. Nice video!

[@ulfw]

Dirtiness seems to be a French thing. Air France plans are notorious for the being some of the least washed in the industry too.

[@keithparker1346]

Veering on the racist/xenophobic there

[@robb2mus]

I do like your voiceovers, you have the most engaging and personable delivery. Still, this was a great throwback to earlier times, and we did get the "Dylan Wave." BTW, what is your proper job?

[@Lodai974]

4:08 The SNCF applies the competition imposed by the EU, so much praised by some...it therefore reduces costs, and in general, the employees at the bottom of the scale disappear...and they are the ones who cleaned the trains,including tags.

[@Jamesj971]

I used live in Moûtiers and take this route often to fly back to the UK. It’s such a shame about the windows as the views are spectacular along the Lac du Bourget!

[@adamliebreich-johnsen6104]

For me, I am less likely to watch the captioned videos as I often watch your videos while I'm working or otherwise occupied. That way I can perceive the scenery, etc but I don't have to read the captions.

[@CaptEoNinja83]

You have a good Narrator voice, but I personally prefer the captions. It's easier for me to read and watch the video than the other way

[@baseballfan99]

Anybody else reading the subtitles in Dylan’s accent and style 😂

[@luath5579]

I'm sure that would be a beautiful journey if it was visible through the filthy windows. I was hoping to see Aix-les-Bains, because I've just written an article about an Englishwoman who had a villa there (now the Mairie of Tresserve) with a famous garden in the 19th & 20th centuries. I prefer the captions to your commentary, because I don't have to watch your trips with my earbuds in.

[@stevehornsby7727]

I like both but i find it difficult to read the caption unless i keep rewinding. Great video as always

[@rvijayraghavan9645]

Wonderful Compilation

[@marilynsue4273]

I'll be taking the California Zephyr from SLC to WNN later this month - at night, and there is nothing to see out there anyway. (Approximately 7 hour trip)

[@Stephen_Pettitt]

TER trains are above all functional and maybe the reason for not washing them more often is to save water. Each summer the country suffers from often dangerously low water levels, so it would figure.

[@jackchapman5052]

You can find these seats also on southern and southeastern

[@SimonLiddo]

I much prefer your subtitled videos. No disrespect to you Dylan but they are somehow less distractive than a commentary. Great video as ever. Shame about the filthy windows!

[@johnawalker9261]

There is a world beyond the borders of the U.S.A. , one of those items you mentioned is still a first choice in the vast majority of it.

[@ChetNotJet]

0:25 there is no pinned comment

[@harrisonsnazel7482]

That's what I am saying

[@paulthiel5145]

​@@harrisonsnazel7482There is now

[@DylansTravelReports]

Weird as it was when I set the video up in the morning 😂 There now.

[@davidlazarus67]

1:27 What more can we want? A Gregg’s?

[@keithparker1346]

I forget the equivalent of Gregg's in Switzerland

[@DylansTravelReports]

Yes

[@Michaelgoestofrance]

I've never understood why the SNCF doesn't clean its trains more. I don't know if they've got some water/soap saving policy. I often travel to Geneva and it's embarrassing to turn up on such a grotty-looking train alongside the SBB's largely white, and usually massively cleaner, livery.

[@colinn_1984]

There’s no pinned comment! 😮

[@Monty14Railwaysandmore]

Now there is!

[@BigPaul62]

SNCF, Lavez les fenetres s'il vous plait! As you can see I studied french at school = 50 years ago!

[@bikerpaul68]

I've been through that area a few times on the motorbike and the scenery certainly is stunning, so it's a real shame that SNCF can't be bothered to clean the train windows. Oh well, c'est la vie ... 😞

[@john07973]

Made a change going back to the captions. Hope the jobs going OK

[@iandrew6347]

Great video Sir keep up the amazing work

[@keithparker1346]

I'm wondering if this video will lead to Dylan using the Lausanne metro lines and LEB. I've only just started watching so let's find out

[@Grzegorz_Grzeg]

How to travel with 2 kids in Switz without Railpass cards? I just want to see some places in 1-2 days. Of course I would be grateful for some cheap options.

[@Grzegorz_Grzeg]

@@euhouinonouinon interlaken for instance.

[@Grzegorz_Grzeg]

@@SMILYSUNFLOWER perhaps train from Vienna or Berlin.

[@RRStuff]

The train is a nice colour

[@Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi]

Muito lindo trem gostei Dylan Boa tarde ai boa viagem

[@smurfman6377]

Your videos from that region have always featured beautiful views not this time, The station was very impressive. The lower level looked inviting, not the top. Thank you

[@iankemp1131]

The thing that nearly ruined my France to Switzerland journey with SNCF on a TGV was that the advertised 5 minute guaranteed connection at Basle to a Eurocity for Milan was not maintained. We were just a couple of minutes late in and to my amazement the connection was not cross-platform. Black mark to the French for lack of recovery time at the end of the schedule (we were on time most of the way) and the Swiss for not making a tight connection easy, unusual for them. Luckily I know Basle station and had just enough time to hare over the stairs with my luggage and dive into the nearest doors as they closed. Anyone else missed it. Poor effort for what was shown as a through international connection, so don't believe European trains are always as reliable as they say!

[@mariosphere]

What bothers me about the SNCF is not their dirty windows, but their attitude: "What does it take to have a train every hour? Five or six trains a day is enough for a mainline. Let's take a shorter train for that, long trains with enough seats are overrated anyway. Ah, and really no one needs trains on evenings, let's put our last train at 18:30"

[@John-qq8he]

Liked the captioned version. Hope you do a few more!

[@JISJ1964]

For most of the film I sat worried that there would come a conductor giving you a hard time for forgetting to stamp the ticket before boarding, that it would be the problem.

[@louisthetravelspotter]

idid enjoy the video i prefer the ones with a commentry

[@kingpooke]

Can't even watch it without a voice-over. The videos significantly improved once you started and now it seams to have gone backwards

[@iandrew6347]

Hi Sir hope you are well

[@davidwebb4904]

One night in Geneva, costs the same as an entire week in Eastern Europe….

[@keithparker1346]

Probably more expensive in Geneva

[@volusian95]

Opening shot gave me Half Life, City 17 vibes

[@howarddent1222]

My wife and I had much better views of Le Lac du Bouget through the clean windows of our Paris-bound Frecciarossa.

[@kepckatherinec805]

You’re not exaggerating about the filthy windows. I’ve seldom seen worse. It’s a tragic loss of what should have been a spectacular view. Shame on the maintenance department of this railroad.

[@TheSitruc46]

It’s a real shame about the dirty windows!

[@XTREAMER5423]

Even for the reason for your captioned video with subtitles, I personally don't care how it is made (okay, I care a bit, because I like the voiceover videos), but the quality matters. And from my point of view, I don't care about the method of the video.

[@redsidebiker]

Views are not unlike using a Cross Country service in the UK!

[@SuperRinghio92]

As a French fan of your videos, I prefer captioned ones (but I like your voice too😅) And as a train traveller I also complain about dirty windows almost seen at lower decks. Anyway thanks for your great job 👏

[@mariadelmarjimenezarroyo]

Why isn't the video a voiceover one??

[@paulthiel5145]

He explained that in the pinned comment at the top. Anyway, I like this style better regardless.

[@sjc14031974]

6:52 LOL

[@aviano72]

Thanks SNCF for dirty windows 💤

[@michasreisefieber]

I still hate the text videos. I can't read and watch the film at the same time. I am constantly reading and don't see all the beauty of the things around. Then i have to rewind all the time, because the text is already gone and I was still reading. Tahts nothing form me. If there is a text only video, then please only with the text that is needed to explain the video. Then let the film and the pictures talk and don't write books under the video.

[@robyoungquist5803]

Sorry Dylan, but it’s a hard NO from me. Your presentations have helped me immensely to understand what to expect on various rail travels throughout the Continent BUT I’m not going to toggle between reading captions, pause, watch, pause and read captions, watch. It’s dizzying for me to say the least. So those that you decide to do in this style I’ll just skip over entirely. Otherwise, keep up the great work! 😉👍🏻

[@snowcub7139]

This is the most confusing video I've seen in a long time from you, Dylan. Having to read captioning just intensifies it. Whatever was the reason you felt you needed to post it, it didn't say, but I forgive you and love 99% of your other work. I hope you and Ellie are well.

[@Zuuu40]

Nooo the voice overs are better

[@kennethhume8628]

The trouble with captions for me is that I spend too much time reading them and cannot concentrate on viewing the scenery . In this instance I gave up watching very early on . I must stress that this is my personal opinion and I understand that many people prefer captions to voice over .

[@AndyC2_]

Not for me with no voiceovers

[@JoeyBatman888]

Don’t like caption videos. You spend more time reading them then actually watching the video

[@trainglen22]

You expect the French to wash a train? Lol 😂

[@Ornette14]

Too! many! exclamation! marks!

[@robertwilloughby8050]

100th like!😂❤

[@harrisonsnazel7482]

Hi Dylan, to a matter of fact i do not like your caption videos. Sorry

[@paulthiel5145]

I on the other hand very much do. Not sorry 😂

[@firstfreeone]

Sorry Dylan but I do not read videos.

[@paultidd9332]

Not a fan of caption videos - sorry! Perhaps to save time, why not narrate the videos while you’re filming it live? Or if you have to opt for captions ‘less is more’ - less text to read and bigger text that stays on the screen longer, therefore cutting the detail, so there’s still actually time to enjoy the shot.

[@Shuttletrain]

I’m still amazed that you can walk out to the platform, without being harassed by a gate Nazi or being corralled into a long line, led to the track like you were still in kindergarten.

[@astaksantyna5780]

what?

[@AnnabelSmyth]

The same freedom applies over much of Europe - in most cities you can download an app and buy your ticket on-line, just flashing your phone if anybody wants to see it! No gatelines or anything. Mind you, they *do* check your tickets quite often.

[@harryelliott4310]

Trains Station 🚉

[@barrieshepherd7694]

Anymore captions only videos and I will unsubscribe. It makes it difficult to enjoy the images having to constantly scan the captions. (And no Pinned comment explaining the reason BTW)

[@paulthiel5145]

Well, I guess that is your loss then. He's probably not to threatened by that comment and I personally like this way better.

[@paulthiel5145]

And there is a pinned comment now btw

[@barrieshepherd7694]

​@@paulthiel5145Not when I originally posted my comment. Others also noted no pinned comment at that time. Now there is an explanation I understand that this, hopefully, is a one off.

[@AnnabelSmyth]

@@barrieshepherd7694 And I hope it isn't, as my hearing loss means it's not always easy to focus on what he is saying! I do prefer the captions for this very reason - but, like most of the commenters, I hope there is a mixture in future! As someone said, doing the voiceovers means Dylan has grown in confidence over the past couple of years, and we don't get the rather "put on" voice we used to get!

[@barrieshepherd7694]

@@AnnabelSmyth When I suggested "a one" off I meant videos without commentary. I have no issue with captions being included as well - I sometimes use them ,if they are enabled by the creator in KZbin, to assist with difficult narrator accents. In truth I think captions should always be available as embedded help for hard of hearing viewers . I'm in that category as well. Strangely I never noticed any "put on" or confidence issues when Dylan started narration, but you are correct his confidence has increased and the output quality has likewise increased.

[@elliotlkirton]

First

[@UmActuallyNerd]

Kim Jong-Un Would Like To Know Your Location

[@TheosTrainsWalesOfficial]

Who even does that anymore?

[@UmActuallyNerd]

I may be first ? Nvm 💀

[@The_Robert.Fletcher]

Please don't go back to not having a commentary.

[@paulthiel5145]

Please do actually

[@bernardbouzon5499]

My region ❤❤❤