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 They are being gradually withdrawn though, … Continue reading Chasing passengers
After almost 2 weeks of overcast weather and rain, I all of a sudden noticed the sun shining through the window. Finally. According to the satellite images, clouds would stay away for a few hours, meaning the opportunity was born. No freight on the way, but 2 interesting passenger trains would be worth the effort. Both connecting Schaarbeek and Oostende, both running with 80’s coaches … Continue reading 40 years, the spring of life
Today, the main access to shunting yard of Antwerpen-Noord was not accessible, resulting in massive detours of freight traffic. The portion of line 50 between Gent and Schellebelle was, for one day, the busiest part of railway on the network. Only by evening the sun was breaking through the clouds, right on time for this warm winter shot of a southbound train. Continue reading Warm winter light
One memory of a warm day in the Tergnier region. Vegetation was freshly removed and we were lucky to be there at this moment, with an unobstructed view on tracks and fields. Continue reading Looking out over the fields
We ended the day along the water in Visé. First a couple of trains, then a beer on the waterfront with friends. Continue reading Life is good
After the short visit to the Liège – Luxemburg line, we headed towards line 24 for some freight trains from Germany. On Sundays, after 3pm, a whole bunch of trains that had been waiting in Germany head into Belgium. Continue reading The start of a busy week
And yes, I was lucky in Güterglück. Of the multiple freight trains that I saw, I’ll show 2. Very surprising to me to see so many freight trains on a Sunday. I wonder if this is normal in the east of Germany. Continue reading A busy Sunday
The festivities weren’t over yet. A short walk led a bit closer to the tracks, with still another view on the magnificent background. Can’t get enough of it. Continue reading Closer, but still scenic
The cement train was a deception, but there was still time to make up for it with a nice photo of a passenger train. My local guides lead the way, and in no time we could set up our gear in a field in Turcianske Teplice, in time for a train coming from Banska Bystrica. The line from Banska Bystrica looks impressive, judging by the … Continue reading Passenger in the woods
Next up was a cargo train to and from Horna Stubna. We chose the town of Turcek to make the photo’s. The first train was so and so: flat cars, hidden behind a bush… it was more like a bonus though, because the train from Horna Stubna was right on: nicely in the curve, beautiful background, and a nice train consist. Continue reading Local freights
Railscapes 