The local line from Zalhostice, along the Elbe, to Ceska Lipa is…, well, rural. It is a nice contrast to the relatively busy valley, and I wanted to make some photos on these small lines. I was hoping to get some locomotive hauled trains, but got this modernised Regionova vehicle in front of the lens. Ah well, it fits nicely between the bushes this way. Continue reading Rural Regionova
After a refreshing night in Usti Nad Labem, in a hotel probably dating from the communist era, I checked out the immediate surroundings of the city’s main station. I didn’t have to wait a long time to see a cargo train cross the river. It is hauled by a Skoda 57E2 locomotive, dating from 1971, in the color scheme of Czech Railways’ cargo division. Vetruse … Continue reading Coal over the water
The Elbe also has a Czech name: Labem. On this photo, the train is running along the Labem river. Yes, I have finally arrived in the Czech republic. South of Decin, there are railway lines on both sides of the river. I had no idea where to see the trains, but I guessed cargo traffic woud run on the right bank of the river when … Continue reading Labem’s right bank
One recommendation when visiting the Elbe valley: try to avoid using a car. Roads that aren’t accessible and few parking spots give the car driver a hard time. And spots like this one are easily missed. It has been on my wishlist for a while, and I knew approximately where I needed to be… but had some difficulty locating it exactly. WIth a bicycle I … Continue reading Wish I had a bicycle
The longer days of the year make after-work photography sessions worthwhile. Typically I visit only one location then, for some oldschool sitting and waiting what comes by. I spent a successfull evening in Beveren on the branch line that comes from the port (left river bank), right before it connects to the main line to Gent. Of the three trains I saw here, I like … Continue reading A blasting summer evening
On the way back from a team-building weekend with the colleagues, I made a stop at Carlsbourg. A venture into the woods ended up in a photo location of which I’m not going to show a photo because it really wasn’t all that good. The view in the opposite direction on the other hand was more “foresty”; I ended up quite liking this one. Continue reading Sometimes the alternative is better than the intended
I honestly don’t remember why I went to spend some time waiting at Pepingen. It may have been for a rush hour train that I ended up not seeing… anyway, I ended up with some nice pictures of other passenger trains. Continue reading There doesn’t always have to be a reason
Here’s another one continuing the “trains and castles” photo series. Pictured are the ruins of the 12th century Burg Ehrenfels, while a DB Cargo train is seen passing underneath. The Archbishop of Mainz had this castle built, as a defense, but is also served as a customs post together with the Mouse Tower that was built in the Rhine river and is still in good … Continue reading Burg Ehrenfels
A completely new view, for a long time on my wishlist, and this day I finally got there. Clouds and sun were playing games, but I was able to make some nice sunny shots with the town of Sankt-Goarshausen in the background. This spot can easily be reached on foot. Just beware when parking the car during tourist season: the parkings at the Loreley site … Continue reading Katz und Maus
This is a place I keep returning to, because it’s just so much fun. To get there you have to climb up a hill, find a way between walls and bushes, and concentrate to get your gear up in one piece. A mini-adventure so to say, and I prefer it this way. It’s one reason why I love this hobby so much. The hill offers … Continue reading Mini-adventure
Railscapes 