Lufthansa to put some passengers on trains

What if a prominent airline advertised, ''Next time take the train''? That's not exactly what Lufthansa, West Germany's national airline, may say in its next year's ads. But the idea is factual. Beginning in April, 100 passenger trains on twice-daily runs will link Frankfurt International Airport with airports serving Cologne, Bonn, and Dusseldorf.

This will be Lufthansa's new experiment to cut operating costs and relieve congestion on the half-hour-long flights now shuttling passengers to and from international connections at Frankfurt. The four-coach trains will trim 50 minutes off the normal surface run, and passengers will not need to change trains for the airport upon arrival in Frankfurt.

According to Lufthansa officials, the train effort will provide better food and boarding service for travelers using the Frankfurt airport.