ECR is executing a 6-month contract hauling coal from Poland to Dunkerque. I have made quite a few photos of this train, but bad luck and dito weather made that this is the first picture in nice sunny weather.Because of constructin work in Kortrijk, the train was rerouted over Bruges. I had thought the switch of train drivers would have taken place there, but alas, … Continue reading Finally
After almost 2 weeks of overcast weather and rain, I all of a sudden noticed the sun shining through the window. Finally. According to the satellite images, clouds would stay away for a few hours, meaning the opportunity was born. No freight on the way, but 2 interesting passenger trains would be worth the effort. Both connecting Schaarbeek and Oostende, both running with 80’s coaches … Continue reading 40 years, the spring of life
Day 3 in this country that we were getting to know and appreciate better every day. We spent the night in Settat, in a hotel that we will remember for a long time. We got to sleep, that’s what counts. At the beginning of the vacation we had still hope to see a French Astride locomotive. After 2 days and some calculated guessing, we realized … Continue reading Morocco day 3: from phosphate to passenger trains
Interesting as they may be, I wasn’t in Quenast only to make photos of SNCF logos. The ballast train that SNCF hauls to Quenast for a refill is quite nice to see, and not only for the traction used. So we left right on time to drive to this photo spot near Soignies. Everything was there: a nice photo location, the train, sun, we, fully … Continue reading Ballast, spot on
Tonight was a cold, very cold, Sunday evening. But it was dry, not too windy, and there was still some snow left! Trains between Bruges and Ghent were taking the scenic route again, to my great pleasure. I found myself a spot between Aarsele and Tielt to set up the gear. I expected a few freight trains, and some work trains returning home after the … Continue reading Blue hour
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
Railscapes 