So the train that pulled into the Tübingen station as I was standing on Platform 2B at 12:58pm on Friday was a rather long train, with at least 5 cars and probably more.

This surprised me. I was headed to Balingen, a town south of Tübingen, and the trains I’d taken in the past to get there only had one or two cars at most. However, the 1:00pm train that headed toward Balingen was one of the faster trains that went there, so I reasoned that perhaps it was generally a fancier – and therefore bigger- train.

Anyway, where I was standing – near the 2B sign on the platform, happened to be just where one of the doors into a train car was located. There were a couple of cars to my left, and the rest of the train stretched to my right. The door in front of me opened, people got off, and then 30 seconds after the train pulled in, I hopped onto the car in front of me.

I turned right into the corridor in the car, and started to walk down the aisle. I was surprised that it was 1st class car – I really hadn’t though they had 1st class options to Balingen. But, whatever. I continued walking until I passed into the next car, which seemed to be also 1st class. I was half-way through when I glanced out the window, and through the glass I noticed that I was now abreast with the 2A sign on the platform.

Hang on. I think – wait, wasn’t there supposed to be a train to Horb at 1:04pm on the 2A platform? Why would they pull the 1:00pm train to Balingen onto the same platform? Wouldn’t that be cutting it a little close? Unless….

In one of those lightbulb moments one has occasionally, and in less time than it takes to describe, I suddenly piece all the clues together and realize that the train that just pulled in is about to split into two trains here in Tübingen. One part will leave first – from platform 2B – and proceed due south to Balingen, while the other part will leave from the 2A part of the platform a few minutes later and go southwest to Horb. And it’s the fancy part of the train — that I’m currently standing it — that’s likely going to Horb, while the two small cars that wound up to my left past the 2B part of the platform when the train pulled in are the only part that’s going to Balingen.

I quickly confirm this in German with a passenger seated in the car I’m standing in: “Where is this train going?” “Horb, of course” (said in a slightly condescending tone, or so I imagine).

Aack.

Quickly, I dash down to the door and dart off the train in order to high-tail it back down the platform to the Balingen part of the train. I zip by the Horb engineer who is now looking at the area between the front of his train and the end of last car of the other train, probably to ensure that the two trains have been properly separated. I press the “open doors” button on the first Balingen train car I come to … which is actually the last car in that train. Nothing happens, and I realize it’s already 1:00pm – I’m too late!

However, I have to assume that a kind conductor on the train has seen me standing alone next to shuttered compartment, since suddenly the doors fly open. I hop onto the train, the doors slam shut, and we’re off to Balingen.

My unexpected detour to Horb can wait until another day. 😉

******
P.S. I later asked my friend who lives in Balingen how one was supposed to know that only the first two cars on that incoming train at 12:58 go to Balingen, since I didn’t see any signs or hear any announcements to that effect. She said as far as she knows, it’s something you just have to know – there is no information that’s offered to passengers who don’t always travel that train.

She herself only figured it out once the hard way … after she wound up in Horb.