Today I did something that I haven’t done in a long time: take a day off to make photos of passenger trains. Passenger. Trains. Really. The intercity trains between Schaarbeek and Kortrijk are still hauled by vintage 21 and 27 series locomotives. These machines are about my age and as such I’ve known them all my active railfanning life. They are being gradually withdrawn though, … Continue reading Chasing passengers
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
This is my second photo of a CFL 3000 locomotive (the first one was number 3007 in Pétange 6 months earlier). It is also the last photo I ever made of this locomotive, as it burnt down 3 months after this photos was made and would never be reconstructed. The photo is all but unique, as it was taken during a TSP trip on line … Continue reading First and last
Exactly 3 weeks after the previous full-day trip, I made a day trip by bicycle (Oldschool day out). And again, the Eupen – Oostende Intercity trains were detoured. This time because of construction works between Gent and Brugge. Throughout the day, I got to make several photos of these loco-hauled trains, consisiting more and more of brand-new M7 double-decker coaches. Continue reading Intercity detours – part 2
It would have been a very good reason – but the beautiful scenery was not the reason why SNCB detoured their Oostende – Eupen intercity trains through Voeren. End of October and beginning of November 2020, the direct railway line between Liège and Welkenraedt was closed for works. An opportunity for the passengers to discover some different than usual scenery. For rail enthousiasts, it was … Continue reading Intercity detours – part 1
A bit more than 10 minutes after the previous shot, the valley was bathing in the first sunrays of a pleasant spring morning. The peace was shortly interrupted by a Transregio Desiro on it’s way to Mainz, racing with a few cars to get to Boppard first. I would continue chilling out on the little wall for a little longer, enjoying spring. Continue reading Little race
Way too early I got out of bed to see the sun rise over the hills surrounding the valley in Boppard am Rhein. Even though I had to take a few naps on the way here I made it way on time. I’m often too optimistic when it comes to sunrises, resulting in me being actually way on time. See where a healthy dose of … Continue reading Where a healthy dose of optimism can get you
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
An afternoon shooting trains along the Rhine river with my good friend Eurorailer started in Boppard. We mainly saw intercity trains, no freight. The sun was there fortunately, bathing the winefields in a warm glow and preparing the grapes for wineyear 2016. Continue reading Where the wine is growing
It was a beautiful spring evening that I wanted to enjoy until the end, before the 2 hour drive back home. So I watched the sun set, the occasional passing train covering it. A quiet, enjoyable moment to finish an intensive day full of discoveries. Continue reading Solar eclipse
Railscapes 