I can never quite tell when I'm on an ICE1 or 2, they look the same. But the ICE3 is a better ride, even if the interior may not be quite as spacy. I also drove the Thalys once, but that felt a bit rickety at high speed.

Stations are kept by the Deutsche Bahn, so any decay there is due to rationalisation. Baths are kept by the local government, their status will often be an reflection of the priorities and state of finances of the municipality, which is influenced mainly by property prices, business activity and joblessness.