On Thu, 5 Aug 2010 08:00:24 -0700 (PDT)
bob wrote:
I'm pretty sure the platforms at Paris and Lille are a lot lower than the
ones at St. P.

Unlike Britain, UIC platforms come in a wide variety of heights. Even
within the same station (or along the length of the same platform
face) you can get a variation in platform height. Shiny modern

Well there you go then - on crossrail use platforms of a similar height
to St P. which are compatible with UIC and UK stock.

Bear in mind, also, that the loading gauge didn't really become an
issue for passenger rolling stock until maybe the 1870s or 80s, when
things like bogie coaches and corridor coaches came onto the scene.

What about bridges and tunnels?

B2003