News: A slow train to Russia

From tomorrow, one change of train could take you from London Waterloo to Moscow. This is when Continental Europe's new rail timetables come into effect, and the existing train from Cologne to the Russian capital will be extended to and from Brussels. The train - named the Jan Kiepura - should offer a direct connection from Eurostar trains. "This takes us back to the situation a few years ago, before the Brussels connection was dropped," says Brendan Fox, editor of the Thomas Cook European Timetable (£10.50).

From tomorrow, one change of train could take you from London Waterloo to Moscow. This is when Continental Europe's new rail timetables come into effect, and the existing train from Cologne to the Russian capital will be extended to and from Brussels. The train - named the Jan Kiepura - should offer a direct connection from Eurostar trains. "This takes us back to the situation a few years ago, before the Brussels connection was dropped," says Brendan Fox, editor of the Thomas Cook European Timetable (£10.50).

The timetable reveals that you could leave London Waterloo at 12.39pm, and with a half-hour connection in Brussels reach Warsaw by around 9am the following morning; at breakfast time the day after you should be in the Russian capital.

The other big rail development in Europe is at Cologne-Bonn airport. This airport has become the no-frills hub for the Rhineland; the latest service to be launched is on easyJet (0871 750 0100; www.easyJet.com) from Nottingham. At last, the airport is connected to the German rail network. A new station and line will offer fast and frequent transfers to Cologne itself on the city's S-Bahn, replacing the present bus service. There will also be fast services to Dusseldorf, Koblenz and even Berlin.