In some parts of Europe, you can buy cheaper train tickets on regional trains or if you avoid the fancy international trains. Even local train networks might go farther than you would expect so that they cover a bunch of cities packed together in the same region, although of course they're designed for commuters so offer fewer amenities and more stops.

Don't have high expectations for FC lounges in European railroad stations. IME they're similar in some ways to the worst airline lounges (think one smallish room) with very limited F&B (perhaps a minor continental breakfast or coffee/tea/water with cookies, no alcohol). YMMV.