Another jump into the archives. In November 1999, TUC RAIL finished work on re-building the Hammerbrücke, located on the classic railway line connecting Liège and Aachen. On November 5th, stabilizing runs were organised on the second track, right before entry into service. For these runs, a certain amount of tonnage had to pass over the newly laid tracks. This can be done with loaded ballast … Continue reading New Hammerbrücke
On with the vintage. On the way back to Ghent, we found 5111 waiting with a coal train at what is today the Ghent Coal Terminal. The light is november-ish, perfect for this beautiful locomotive. Continue reading Ghent coal
Waiting for the container shuttle connecting Zeebruges and Milano, on a Wednesday morning, because the light was looking good. SUrprise surprise, this morning the train was headed by the only black series 13 locomotive. On top, the train was fully loaded. Call it a good start of the day. Continue reading Morning charge
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
I really didn’t feel looked at while taking this picture. Sun was finally standing high enough in order to not get too many shadows, and on Friday evening there’s an interesting train running at the exact right time. The passage under the tracks was refreshed a couple of years ago, and artists were asked for their assistance. I really appreciate this kind of revamping older … Continue reading What are you staring at?
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
This location was once known as the “vegetable garden spot”. Before the start of work on the third and fourth tracks, you could make nice pictures with a vegetable garden in front. Quite a few hours were spent there, with friends and alone.Today, catenary poles are placed such that the original spot doesn’t look so nice anymore. I had to look for an alternative. The … Continue reading Vegetable garden
Just an hour before curfew, we see Crossrail’s 186 496 conquering the steep slope towards Montzen. It’s hauling intermodal train 43511 from the port of Zeebrugge towards Basel. Continue reading Before curfew
Rurtalbahn’s Vectron is a nice-looking, and often seen, guest on Belgian tracks. Even on Easter it was adding mileage, with a car train towards Gent. After an on-time notification, I was able to make it to Argenteau. Freight traffic from Germany towards the Belgian ports is rerouted through the Meuse valley due to important infrastructure works between Hasselt and Aarschot. Continue reading Rerouted beauty
Railscapes 