Oldies goldies

During breakfast at the hotel in Passau, I checked the weather forecast to decide which way to travel next. The Pyhrnbahn looked good, and if I wanted to catch some vitamine D the day after, I’d have to end up on the Semmering line. So the plan was made, and I headed south. First stop: Schön, located between the stations of Micheldorf in Oberösterreich and Klaus an der Pyhrnbahn Bahnhof.
There was quite a lot of train traffic, most of it northbound. But I also saw some southbound trains, among which this train led by 2 Taurus locomotives. Was I glad to see a couple of these, instead of the never ending stream of Vectrons these days.

Mountainscape

Yes, more Taurus! This time hauling a full train of Bernegger containers from Spital am Pyhrn to I suspect Linz.

Eurocity on Rudolf Railway

Following the sun led me from Pyhrntal railway to the Rudolf Railway between Selzthal and St. Michael. I don’t think I’ve ever made photos here, so that was an interesting stop. Besides a freight train, I also got this EuroCity train connecting Graz and Saarbrücken.
It was challenging to set up the pole here, on a 45° slope. Testing the limits, it turned out just fine.

The magnificent trees

During my end-of-year trip chasing fall foliage, I ended up in Semmering. The sun was gone by now, but the colors were still more than pretty. From the Bahnwanderweg I took my time to enjoy the nature and wait for a train at this magnificent vista.
CD Cargo 383 011 and an unknown Loko Trans sister haul an empty train of Eaos cars to Breclav.

Parallelfahrt to Semmering

Sun was totally gone by now, but I didn’t care. Semmering railway with all its curves is moody on its own, add to that the beautifully colored foliage: it’s probably even better without sunshine.
I had reserved a hotel in Semmering so no hurry as I was finding my way through the forests. I ventually ended up on top of the entrance of the Weberkogeltunnel. This train came as a surprise: I had just shot an uphill scrap train, while all of a sudden another uphill train came around the corner, slowly passing the first one. A video of the moment is right here.
Unfortunately, also the Semmering railway has fallen for the Vectronization of Europe’s rail.

Weberkogeltunnel

Another Railjet towards Villach was approaching. I set up at the exit of the Weberkogeltunnel and triggered the camera at the moment the Taurus was looking right at the camera.

Blue Railjet into the night

It was getting really dark now, but I was still enjoying the photography. The last train I got to see was this downhill Railjet towards Prague, right before entering the Weberkogeltunnel.rks south of Schwandorf.