Thalys

The Thalys is a Dutch-French high speed train, running from the Netherlands to Paris and back. Structurally it's similar to the French TGV (Train Grande Vitesse).

As you see, it's been -and still is- hard to get a convincing nose shape that doesn't look like roof tiles. The slopes are set apart half a stud. The front window is built from two clear slopes on their back. The side linings are not prototypical but were added to suggest the bend-line along the body.
Special attention was payed to (two types of) close coupling (see building instructions and construction notes).

Thalys at a station.

Second class car.

Markings are from a model railroad supplier; since they were available in H0 scale only, they actually are too small.

First class car with bar.