Chasing passengers

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 They are being gradually withdrawn though, … Continue reading Chasing passengers

Morocco day 3: from phosphate to passenger trains

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

Intercity detours – part 2

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

Intercity detours – part 1

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

Last time in style to Switzerland

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