Siemens electrics have in the meanwhile taken over the traction of the Eurocity trains between Germany and the Czech republic – in september 2016 they were still all hauled by Skoda’s. These trains were part of the reason to go to the Czech Republic, apart from the fun of travelling to places I haven’t been to before. Continue reading Skoda rules
Today, Metrans is operating 30 Bombardier Traxx MS2e engines. This year, another 10 identical locomotives will be added to their fleet. On september 19th I could make my first photo of one of these engines – the line along the Elbe sees a lof of Metrans trains, no particular accomplishment there. Continue reading Metrans Traxx
On day 2 of the trip I followed the railway Line from Dresden to Usti Nad Labem, that follows the Elbe river. I’ll stay polite and not describe the weather… let’s see it as an opportunity to be able to shoot in 2 directions. I found a good shelter at the station of Obervogelgesang, only coming out to make a photo. I’ve alwyas been a … Continue reading No birds singing
The journey to Dresden went flawlessly. After checking into my hotel I took a train to Dresden Hbf, where I expected a couple of EuroNight trains. These trains change locos in Dresden, so it was a good opportunity to check out the Czech Skoda electrics, that would soon be replaced by modern Siemens Vectron locomotives. Continue reading Dresden, EuroNight Hbf
In the second half of september 2016 I had a week off work that I used for a trip to some – for me – unknown territory: the Czech and Slovak republics. Day 1 of the trip was the day to cover most of the distance: destination Dresden. I would use the following days to follow the Elbe river to Usti Nad Labem, and then … Continue reading Pilgrimage to eastern Europe
A little time spent along the tracks at De Pinte resulted in this photo of a grain train hauled by a BB36000 locomotive. I didn’t know this would be my last photo of this kind of engine in Belgium, but until now they haven’t reappeared on Belgian tracks. Who knows what the future will bring… I definitely appreciated seeing these cousins of the SNCB/CFL 13/3000 … Continue reading An unexpected goodbye
A typical railway scene consisting of lots of different time elements: a 70’s TGV PSE trainset, in a very recent livery, all under the monumental 1864 station hall. The TGV trainset is one of the oldest ones still running around – but for how long will it last? On the way back from Nice, while waiting for the final leg of the trip to Lille … Continue reading Many generations
The night train has just that little bit more than a regular train. It adds that extra touch of travel to the trip, while you take the time to relax and enjoy the ride. It made us creative: posing, and trying different angles. Continue reading The night train experience
At the end of our vitamin-D cure at the French riviera, we took the train back home: night train from Nice to Paris, a TGV from Paris to Lille and a car ride for the final leg home. Right before departure out of Nice, I took these photos of our train ready to drive off into the setting sun. The night was not as refreshing … Continue reading Snorring to Paris
The principality of Monaco has its own railway station. It is hidden well beneath the glamourous outside world, but of course features a healthy dose of bling-bling. Monaco even owns a few trains, easliy distinguished from their SNCF-sisters by their red livery. We used public transport to visit Monaco – not a fancy car. This gave me a good opportunity though to shoot a few … Continue reading Bling-bling
Railscapes 