On april 3rd 2016, commercial operation started on the second phase of LGV-Est. High speed trains from Paris to Strasbourg could from then on run at high speed until Vendenheim, where the LGV connects to the classic network. SNCF and SNCB now expect people travelling to Strasbourg to to use Thalys and TGV trains, with a transfer in Paris. For that purpose the classic international … Continue reading Last time in style to Switzerland
I’m always conscious of local culture when we’re out on a trip. A special interest in local beer culture makes a trip all the more interesting. In the background of this photo, you can see the buildings of the Brasserie Meteor. This independant brewery is home to Meteor (pils and lager) and Wendelinus (blonde and roussa), and also creates occasional brewings. We saw many trains, … Continue reading Brasserie Meteor
It was getting dark faster than I had expected. The sun sets early, behind the hills surrounding the Arzviller canal. Moving to a hill-free location was an option, but I would risk missing the very goal of this trip. I decided to try a different view on the canal for the Eurocity to Basel. And so I found myself a spot above the entrance of … Continue reading On top of the entrance
In Arzviller you get to see something unusal. The railway line and the canal run right next to each other, and dive under the mountain together, each in their own separate tunnel. I found it a good spot to wait for the first Eurocity to Brussels of that day. Watching the boats go by, and hoping that one would pass at the right time… no … Continue reading Along the canal in Arzviller
A weekend in France is perfect to relax. That’s my excuse to go, at least :). The weekend of October 24th I headed to the region north of Strasbourg, to make some photos of the Eurocity trains that were running their last kilometers. I first stopped in Wilwisheim, also home to an awesome bakery, to eat breakfast and wait for what was going to come. … Continue reading Breakfast time
Still last summer… one of very few sybic engines carrying the En Voyage livery hauls Eurocity n° 97 from Brussels to Basel. The train left Luxembourg a few minutes after the TGV service to Paris… which would now be the fastest train if you would want to travel to Switzerland from Luxembourg. Continue reading En voyage
The train is coming and you don’t find a spot – what do you do? I chose to give it a try and make something of it. Like it or not? I’m not totally convinced, but still glad that I got the Eurocity train to Basel. Continue reading Panic shot
After almost 29 years, the Belgian EuroCity trains will ride a last time on April 4th 2016. On May 31st 1987, the EuroCity network was established as a successor for the TEE network. The EC-trains also contained 2nd class coaches – compared to their first class only predecessors. In order to be labeled EuroCity, the trains need to respond to a certain number of quality … Continue reading Very soon: end of the EuroCity trains
Railscapes 