lindau-st margrethen-st gallen-zurich

leaving the island of Lindau. Lake Constance on the right. what a wonderful holiday. just not looking forward to train journey with 2 stops. I shudder at the thoughts of handling the 40 kg bike/bags... changing trains/platforms, with/without lift, within the 7-10min transit time...
so far almost every train carriage for bikes is different. most have space for only 3 bikes, some 6. and they require to hang the bike up, which means removing the panniers from the bike... some bike carriage are at the beginning of the train. some at the rear. some in between...

first train was easy. just push in and sit next to bike. happy. relieved.

second train I boarded at St Margrethen was a nightmare. Bike Carriage (see photo above) was a standalone, AND 3 feet above the platform. First I struggled to open the door (slide left? slide right? IT"S NOT OPENING! And train was leaving by the time I got to the train, and the bike carriage). Fortunately a guy helped me because I could not even lift my bike up to the carriage... I had to climb up. Duck under this yellow safety bar (suppose to lift it up before getting in, but there was no time). lift up the bike, and he helped me push the bike up. Danke! He even helped me close the door.

Now, how do I open the door to get out?

Last train (already in Switzerland) was a dream. push the bike in, lift it slightly. secure it, and sit comfortably for the journey. Swiss standards! :)