Since a few days, BLS Cargo / Crossrail is using their Vectron locomotives on the GTS trains to and from Zeebruges. Before, they were exclusively used on the Ambrogio trains to and from Muizen.In nice evening light, Vectron 475 423 slowly enters De Pinte, as to explore its new territory. More variation on the line from Ghent to the French border, as about all active … Continue reading New territory
Today, the main access to shunting yard of Antwerpen-Noord was not accessible, resulting in massive detours of freight traffic. The portion of line 50 between Gent and Schellebelle was, for one day, the busiest part of railway on the network. Only by evening the sun was breaking through the clouds, right on time for this warm winter shot of a southbound train. Continue reading Warm winter light
In May 2017, 2 friends and I made a trip to Morocco. Why Morocco? First reason were the phosphate trains between the mines around Khouribga and the Atlantic ports. Second reason were the BB72000 diesel locomotives that were running their last kilometers. We were also silently hoping to still catch some of the Astride locomotives that AKIEM rented out to ONCF for some time. Last … Continue reading First time in Morocco
This is the last photo I made of a B-Logistics train. 10 days later, the company was rebranded to Lineas. It was all about the name then: we had to wait a few more days before the first Lineas styled locomotives would exit the workshop.On a nice April evening, we see 1329 with mixed freight train 41898 on the way to Antwerp. It left Somain … Continue reading The end and a new beginning
Another shot of the same train as one week earlier, with a different consist. On April 11th 2017, almost exactly 3 years ago, an SNCF TRAXX locomotive was seen transporting coal wagons towards France. Continue reading Same but different
As shadows were getting longer, a distant noise announced the train I came here for. The rush hour train with a 21 series locomotive was nice, and a freight train would only make it better. The then regular SNCF train towards France was about right on time and marked the moment to head home after a succesfull photo-evening. Continue reading Tubes for France
What is now a classic view may be over sooner than later. The 21 series locomotives are being phased out, just like the M4 coaches. They are now primarily used on rush hour trains, just like the 22 series locomotives with their M2 coaches a couple of years ago. They may seem unintersting now, but we’ll look at the pictures with nostalgic feelings once the … Continue reading Nostalgia to come
During the commute home, I had noticed a couple of times a train pulled by an SNCF TRAXX in the early evening. With the days getting longer, a few photo opportunities presented.We see a coal train coming from the direction of Gent, towards France. The rail line is starting a big S-curve here, that will end up in Gent-Sint-Pieters station. A really long time ago, … Continue reading Coal, and some history
Still cold, but standing on the shore again. The short day is over already, but the shadows of the west side of the valley don’t reach the east side yet. Perfect for this colorful train to Luxemburg. Continue reading Green and grey leading blue
January 6th 2017 was a cold day, very cold. So cold that the slower flowing parts of the Rhine river froze over. With a thick jacket and good shoes, this created some new vantage points, like here, standing between the 2 shores. Continue reading Walking on water
Railscapes 