Trans Europe Express was born of a desire to make travel truly pleasant, a brainchild of Frans Den Hollander, he succeeded in eliminating visa-checking delays at borders.

Sleek, high-speed aircraft may be the hallmark of 20th century transportation.

But in Western Europe these days, planes are getting increasing competition from the oldfashioned, earthbound railroad train. Across the Continent, a spreading network known as the Trans Europe Express is holding its own in the jet age — and teaching…