Severnsider's January trip. 4-15 Jan 2010

[coalyardrly]

In the final stages of booking this trip. Less than a month to go..

The main objective is to run the 7 1/4" Society stand at the Karlsruhe Messe (Exhibition centre) 8-10 Jan.

Plan is:

Mon 4th - Fly to Hannover
Tues 5th - Ride the harz up the Brocken . if the web cam is working see http://webcam.netco.de/hsb/webcams/broc ... en_bhf.php last time I checked it was -19 deg. C. and 40 cm snow (Update - now 51cm. and service running normally)(Update now expecting -21 deg. C. on Tuesday. -28 deg. C. If you take into account wind chill.) At least they are predicting Sun so I Should get some nice exhaust shots.. Similar temperatures now and the service is running without disruption. No frozen points here!
Wednesday 6th - Ride the Gernrode section of the Harz see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_yJ7aZP ... re=related. So if I dont come back you know I had the same driver...
Thursday 7th - DB Hannover to Karlsruhe and set up stand
Friday - Sunday - Run the 7 1/4" Society stand ( The tracks are already part built by 1/1/10 see http://www.dampflokfreunde.com/ )
Monday - DB Hannover to Dresden with a stop at Gotha / Halle or Naumberg.
Tuesday - Narrow gauge line at Zittau
Wednesday - Narrow Gauge line near Chemnitz + trams
Thursday - Narrow gauge lines around Dresden http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h8Qu7Tde5k , daily steam with first train 0456 in the morning... and 15" hopefully http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOWsM_a5VV8
Friday, hopefully time for another trip on a Dresden steam line then back to Hannover for flight back to UK. Dresden's current weather forcast is 10 days of snow!

[coalyardrly]

Update Monday 1545

Sitting in the Flybe executive lounge, very impressive. Just checked the luggage in 39.7 kg on a 40 kg allowance...
EI-DAL (Ryanair 737) has just been pushed off and Flybe G-FBEL (Embraer 195 1620 to Belfast city) is on the stand next to the Lounge. Bit hazy so no point in taking photos!

Time for another (free) cup of tea.. 80 minutes to gate opens.

Update 1600
G-OBMP (BMI baby 737) just pushed back from terminal 1 Flybe's 1620 to Stuttgart is 10 mins late. A Flybe Dash 8 has taken off (Frankfurt?) and another landed.

Update 1615

G-JECL (Flybe Dash 8) has just arrived and will form the 1650 to Glasgow, can they can turn it round in 35 minute?. BE851, 1645 to Edinburgh is running 25 minutes late.

Update 1645

A Large Monarch has arrived at terminal 1 but can't see anumber in the dark.. Another Embraer 195 arriving (G-FBEA), the first of the fleet at gate 15, so is the Hannover, Edinburgh or the Paris flight?

Update 1655

BMI baby 737 just left terminal 1 to take off. G-JECI just fired up and pushing back. Just seen a advert for Sky's mega structures about building HS1 - the high speed line to the tunnel - might be worth watching. Now off to board gate G.

Boarded Flybe G-ECOI. It was deiced then an uneventful trip to Hannover where they have a record 12" of snow. The airport has been ploughed, as have most of the streets. The local train to Hannover main station was quite slow (It was 15 minutes late leaving and lost probably another 10 minutes on the 20 minute journey to the city centre.



The local trams are working well. I even got to try out the video option on the camera once I found the record button.



Anyway must go now as I'm on the 0652 tomorrow!

[coalyardrly]

Tuesday

First was a ride on trams 2534 and 2550 on a route 2 to the main station. Having seen a couple of ICE trains 402017 and coupled 402024 and 402032 on a Berlin service. It was time to board the 0651 to Halle comprising of tilting DMU's 612017 and 612509. This departed on time but was 10 mins late by Goslar, maiinly due to a faulty level crossing.

218452 was seen on the way



612009 etc. at Wernigerode



On arriving at Wernigerode it was a bit of a disappointment as I was expecting to see several locos outside the shed. Instead there was only one visible 997241 which was on the first service, one of the big diesels had just shunted its stock out of the carriage shed.


However a close look showed the other locos were in steam in the running shed, all 3 of them, only the charter mallet 995902 wasn't in steam.

A trip was made to Drei Annen Hohne (D.A.H.) with a photo or two on the way:

An Icy wagon at Westantor.


As we passed Westantor the Koef shunter was visible.


and one of the open coaches, not required at the moment.






997241 was photographed leaving.




railcar 16 arriving.



and one of the couplings



I even managed to stand in a snow drift to my knees!

Then to my surprise a service that the timetable says runs only at weekends arrived! this was 997236.



997232 then arrived on the Nordhausen to Wernigerode diagram.



199872 arrived with the snowblower



997234 was on the Wernigerode to Eisfeld Tamuhle diagram.
The other diagram was 997240.

997241 returned from the Brocken.



and watered.



I managed 997241 from Wernigerode to D.A.H then later from D.A.H. to the Brocken where there was about two foot of snow and where it had drifted it was higher than the handrails at the top and my 1.5 litre bottle of fruit juice started to freeze.

I got a photo of 997240 climbing with the next service.



Then another of it running round its train.



I returned to D.A.H on the following service 997240 before changing to 997234 to get back to Wernigerode.



All trains were heaving, despite having 8 coaches. The return trip even proved a problem for the guard as they had to ask people to move around the coach so they could get to the other end. My journey up had 4 people 2 big dogs and 2 sledges.

I then travelled to Halberstadt to see the new Leoliner trams, it would appear I didn't note the unit.



Here there was some disappointment as the section of track I wanted to ride wasn't in use yesterday and today but I couldn't work out why. None of the new trams were in use, only 2 older ones 167 and 168 which were running a quite intensive service on route 1. I also managed a trip into the depot as the 167 was tuned on the triangle before returning (despite having cabs at both ends) perhaps the driver didn't want to move the ticket machine to the other.. Perhaps I'll have a closer look tomorrow. But 30 minutes on a vintage tram for just over one pound can't be bad.



Single car HEX unit at Halberstadt


As I had some spare time I rode on HEX railcar VT803 back to Wernigerode to see the last train arrive brfore catching 612 662 and 612013 back to Hannover. Both the Harz and DB were running 10-15 minutes late, an excellent service considering the temperature was around -11 deg. C.

Then back to the hotel to thaw out..... not so much look for 997241 which was left outisde for steam heating duties.

Wednesday

0651 service from Hannover to Wernigerode again.



Passing 218450 on the way.




Then saw 99222 depart on first service of the day and a frosty 99 7241.



Also saw the second service loco being prepared, including thawing out some pipes with a burning stick. Then travelled by HEX railcar 802, a private operator to Quedlinburg.



Quedlingburg is another interchange station with the Harz.

Note the tank repair, I wonder why? (see above video) 996001 as seen on the above video.



We passed railcar 11 at Gernrode.




At Alexibad it was -14 Deg. C.



And we connected with a service in the hands of railcar 15.



I then returned on 996001 to Quedlinburg before catching HEX services to Wernigerode

[img]http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/BB3cpg/albums/userpics/10004/vt800_qued-halb.jpg][/img]

to ride 997232 to Drei Annen Hohne. But not before 997236 had arrived with a service from the Brocken.



997232 on shed at Wernigerode



Time for a final brew up before departure.



997232 Climbing to Drei Annen Hohne

http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/BB3cpg/a ... imbing.jpg


I returned on 99222 which had at some point in the day changed diagram. 997240 was also present, having hauled a service from the Brocken. It was then going to run round and form another service to the Brocken



At Westantor we passed railcar 18



There were also a pair of stored class 199 diesels present.



Shed doors open today!



I then went back to Halberstadt to see if the tram service had improved, however only 167 and 168 were operating again. Service seemed worse than yesterday as I only say 2 trams depart, yet there were 4 the day before.

Tram 168 outside Halberstadt station.


I returned to Wernigerode to see 997240 arrive with the final service. 997234,997236,997238 and railcars 15 and 18 were also seen.

Thursday

Snowing quite heavily in Hannover, it was a lie in today as the train was not until 0741, however it took longer to pack than expected so I was not at the main station until 0745 but the train was running 20 minutes late so I was able to catch the ICE 1 unit to Basel. The service was running 26 minutes late by Kassel and remained 26 minutes late for the rest of the journey. The train ran non stop from Kassel to Frankfurt - 90 minutes. I arrival at Karlsruhe just after 1130, 928655 was in the adjacent platform. At Karlsruhe vorplatz I caught 575 to Marktplatz. A high floor tram was not appreciate with two cases! Also seen on the way were 238 / 901/ 567/ 309 /239 /880 /306 /226 /214 /213 /235/ 247/ 873/ 320/ 588/ 303/ 911/ 242/ 260/ 316/ 248/ 244/ 317/ 571/ 826+897/ 325/ 238 and 310 . Found the hotel which is next to the DB railway line. Sorry no photos today, with two cases and backpack so no photos.

Friday
Good day at the show, Didn't get to see the tracks which are all in the next hall. Sorry no photos

Saturday
Woke up to find 6" snow but by the time we got to the halls the snowploughs were clearing th car park. Got to have a look in the railway hall, nice Tinkerbell which used to run at Betws Y Coed. Also a nice Austrian 0-8-0 tender loco, similar dimensions to Rio Grande 2-8-2's, amongst others.

Sunday

Final day, where has the time gone?

[sharpo]

What's been happening since last Saturday then?

[coalyardrly]

Sunday (Post Show)

Packed up the society stand at Karlsruhe, then off to get the tram to Marktplatz. Saw tram 233 then boarded 317. Saw the following 227 (2),213 (5) and 246. At Marktplatz boarded 252 for the short trip to the main station.
It was still not the end of the trams as it was tram trains 826 and 834 on the service to Bruschal.
A snow covered tram train 800 was seen at Bruschal



101063 was also seen. 628317 was on a servive to Gemersheim. Tram train 808 was also seen before boarding a double beck set with 1462xx to Heidelberg. At Heidelberg it is always worth a quick trip outside to see the trams plus a trip to the depot which is only 400 yards away (cross the road and go straight ahead). Saw OEG trams 4129 and 4128 before returning to the railway station to catch 425702 and 425711 to Mannheim. 425710 was seen on a service to Sinsheim (route electrified since last year). At Mannheim trams 4133, 5641 and 5625 were seen.
A tram was caught part of the way to the hotel then a walk back to the previous stop as I got off at the wrong one (Unfortunately it would have been better to walk straight to the hotel from this stop). Anyway caught another tram to Rathaus where the hotel was supposed to be about 200 yards. Problem, no signs at the tram stop. After a walk I found a sign except the arrows had fallen off. Eventually I found the hotel and would use it again, very nice but I just wish it had not taken 20+ minutes to find it on a cold evening whilst pulling 2 suitcases in the snow!


Week 2 - Saxony

Monday

First job of the day was to get from the hotel to the station,a bit of a struggle to get up but got to the station using trams 205 and 710 with a lot less hassle than finding the hotel last night.
Trams at station


At the station I found most ICE's were running late. I was planning to catch a ICE to Frankfurt main station but this was running much later than an ICE to going via Frankfurt airport, so I caught 403009 and 'Celle' ( part was going to Amsterdam!) on the 0935 service, it was running 20 minutes late. I knew the services to Dresden run to and from the airport so it would still be a cross platform transfer.

Seen on the journey were 425714, 425738 and 425257.

On arrival at the airport station the platform screens for the Dresden ICE had the second worst notice on them ' Listen for announcements' (The worst is obviously cancelled although 'this is a London Midland service' is nearly as bad!) and running 10 mins late. Still there was another ICE going to Frankfurt main station (A stuttgart to Hamburg service) so I caught 401512 on ICE770. 420761 was seen on the way. Waiting at Frankfurt main station it turned out that the Dresden ICE was short formed (8 rather than 16 coach) hence the listen for announcements, needless to say the train was full but most people managed a seat on ICE 1559 with 411022. On the way the following were seen 218813, 415505, 185556,403007,143819,423412 and 423905.

A rather iced up 185556



Fulda station had 714010 and a Cantus Stadler unit. 401582 was on a service Berlin.
Eisnach had 345970.
At Erfurt which for nearly 10 years has been undergoing a major rebuild. Now they only need to complete the new ICE line into it. I also saw a Halle tram , although we didn't go through Halle. I somehow missed Naumberg with its quaint tram system having decided it wasn't practical to get off and have a tram ride.

On the approach to Dresden, at Radebeul I was able to see my first Saxon metre gauge line and there was a train in! The tilting ICE ran very well and was only about 5 minutes late into Dresden.
One big panic - got the the hotel to see 'Hotel closed' sign outside fortunately it was directing me to a sister hotel about 200 yards away, belong to the same chain. Excellent hotel, except for charging more than I wanted for WIFI access, so I didn't use it...

Decision was to drop the bags and see the final service on the Radebeul steam line. The service was 5 coaches and the steam loco 99761 also had a illuminated christmas tree on the front. Couldn't help wonder what some photographers might make of it considering the fuss about tinsel at the SVR by a few...



99791 is a 'plinthed' loco at Radebeul.



After seeing this I decided to ride the S-bahn train (3 car double deck) to the other terminus alongside the Elbe. Unfortunately the service had dropped to hourly, as every other one termates at Bad Schandau, a few stops earlier. Guess what the return pulls out from a siding just before the next service arrives to I had a hour wait in sub zero temperatures. I was however fortunate to see an express pass through and, more conceniently a Czech 4 wheel railcar on a stopping service.

Tuesday

A fairly early start for Zittau, but a through train comprising of class 612 DMU's again.

612 unit at Zittau


The line is a bit distinctive as the depot is on one side of the station forcourt and the station is on the other, so the guard has to flag the train across the level crossings. Once again the service was in the hands of a 2-10-2 Tank 99758.

99758 brews up for departure.


Running round at Bertsdorf:


The Zittau line is very intersting as it is Y shaped. Off peak the train runs to the top left of the Y (Kurort Oybin) then back to the Bertsdorf junction, runs round then departs for the top right of the Y then back to the junction, back to the top left station then back to Zittau at the bottom. There are two services per day with about 1 hour at Zittau between the return of the first service and the departure of the second. At this point the team loco runs off the train for coal and water.
99758 arriving at Bertsdorf with a Zittau Service.


99758 brewing up for departure


99758 departing Bertsdorf.



During the break I noted that you can get services to both Poland and the Czech republic from Zittau, indeed the Czech services were originally narrow gauge and cross the 750mm tracks on a diamond crossing. The service to Poland only briefly passes across the border before returning to German, and Goerlitz.
After riding both steam services I decided to catch a train to Goerlitz, this is run by a private operator, ODEG who refused to accept my ticket so I ended up paying again but as it was lesss than £5 it wasn't worth arguing. However I've emailed Interrail for the answer. This was a modern 2 car unit which I only just caught. It was getting quite cold and indeed there was ice on the inside of the windows...
ODEG railcars at Goerlitz.


At Goerlitz I rode all the tram system.

316 at Biesnitz terminus, unusually a triangle.


I then caught a train back to Dresden comprising of class 642 units which stated the service in Poland. This service went via a different route, which happens to pass one of Bombardier's factories. At this station I suddenly realised there was a 2-10-0 steam loco alongside, with its lamps lit. For a minute I thought it was in steam but was just on static display outside the station. It looked quite good but it wasn't possible to get a photo. The unit was quite cold, there didn't seem to be any heat in the first coach so I moved to the other one, which was still quite cold. I noticed that these class 642 units are single glazed and it showed...

Wednesday

This was the day for the Fichtalberg bahn. First off was that the train times were different to that on my pre-printed times. Result I was going to be an hour later arriving than planned as I missed the connection on the way. The frun towards the steam line is very attractive,and again the unit contines its journey into the Czech republic. Changing at Cranzahl the steam loco was already on the train and it was soon clear that there was plenty of snow, indeed one loop was oly distingushed by the dug out points blades. This was the only line operating two steam locos and sets of stock. These were well filled. At the terminus I pghotographed the loco running round and then the loco disppeared.



I thought it might have gone to collect some workers at the passing loop a short distance down the line. Whilst planning a few photos for the departure I realised the loco had been put in the shed for the hour or so before the return. Having photographed the stock around, and there was plenty of it, including a 2-10-2T which appeared to be bent around the buker (see top!). I went for a wander and found a couple of extra out of service locos.



After a short walk I found the sking area. In the local area there are 22 ski lift and cable cars. Whilst I was there the weather started to deteriorate and one ski tow was closed. Although there was still a good queue for the cable car. I photographed the steam train departing although the wind was blowing the wrong way and the steam blew all over the loco , typical... I then changed to the other side of the bridge for the next working and at times the bridge was barely visible with the freezing fog, thank goodness I wasn't at the top of the cable car... Still attempts were made at the photo..






I then returned on the next and final service to Cranzahl, passing 99771 on the way.


At Cranzahl 99794 ran forwardto took coal


I took the DB railcar to its terminus of Chemnitz. This city has a large tran system, which has been regauged since reunification. I choose the longest line which rode very well. I then rode a couple of other lines. One is quite unusual as it loops round a block of shops before going in a different direction. As I was making the most of the day rover, I decided to ride another line before returning to the railway station. Here I noted a further 6, possibly 8 bay plaforms being rebuilt!
Time for some more trams!
Tram 909 outside the station


Tram 415


Tram 416 at the Stollberg terminus


At Stollberg was this snowplough.


I then returned to the city centre and travelled route 2 to Bernsdorf before returning to the station.
The return to Dresden was in a 2 car double deck set powered by a class 143. On the return I got to see another of the narrow gauge lines which was tomorrows trip..

Thursday

Another early start as I had to catch the steam service from Freital just after 0730. On arrival at the narrow gauge platform 'plinthed loco' 99 1790 can be seen


On display at Freital was this transporter wagon.


This is a pretty line with lots of tight curves and bridges.



and


it was seriously damaged in floods in 2002. Approximately half the line is still closed but may re-open later this year.

991746 running round at the current terminus.


There were lots of stock laid up I counted over 30 coaches of which 5 were in use. many of then were photographed.





Alongside the shed were 991793, just visible here. Note the ice on the shed.



Also visible was the dining car for the line.



Also time for a photo of the loco about to take out the next service.



From this line I went on the S bahn back to Dresden and on to Bad Schandau. Here I had the option of a ferry crossing or a long walk over a bridge, so I choose the ferry. Bad scandau was very prett with a lot of old buildings but I was after the park from where a tram line operates up a valley to a waterfall. The park was easy to find as there were 3 tram trailers parked there!

The service was in the hands of a 1950's 4 wheel single deck tram. ample for the 5 of us using it. At the depot there was a crew change and the driver thanked us for travelling before a crew change.



At the terminus, there were several other trailer cars and the driver got out and took photos of them in the snow, so I wasn't the only one taking photos..


The motor car is seen at the Waterfall terminus.



This tram line is featured in the Reader film, one to keep an eye open for. Once again we had a crew change at the depot to the original driver.
Then it was a brisk walk to the ferry and back to Bad Schandau Station where an former class 232 diesel loco now owned by private operator ITL passed through.



Also a czech 4-wheel railcar


It was then time for another S-bahn train.



riginally I was hoping to get to Radebeul for the 'long' journey but I realised I wasn't going to make it in time, so I decided to have an hour or so photograhing the trams outside the station.
Works tram


It then returned a few minutes later so i was able to photograph the other side.


Modern low floor unit.


All sorts of adverts from Netto


to....


ans some that don't



It is a very impressive network. I then caught a S bahn train to Radebeul.

I then had a walk round and saw their unloading ramp as an ICE passed.



and one of 4 out of service 2-10-2 tanks.



The steam loco 99-775 arrived at Radebeul with the last 'long' journey. This was a surprise as 99761 was in use on Monday.



Time for the last steam train ride of the holiday.


I then boarded the final service of the day which is a short woking to Moritzberg and had the coach to myself. I was able to get some photos of it running round



I then realised I had the whole steam train to myself for the return journey. Still all 4 Saxon steam lines in 3 days can't be bad. Definitely need to return to complete the couple of lines I was unable to completely ride...

I finished the day by riding the S bahn line to the other extreme, another line completely ridden.. Then time to pack, I'll put the telly on, what do I find but a program about steam. Quite intersting to hear the names Watt, Boulton and Stephenson being mentioned by a professor from Kologne univeristy . Some good footage but I was ammused to see a stationary engine chugging away on the presentets desk with the boiler pressure gauge reading zero, obviously a fire risk!

Friday

Time to get back to Hannover. Had the weather been better I might have been tempted to ride the Radebeul line on the 0450 service, definitely a summertime trip, but as Thurdsday night was very cold I decided to concentrate on getting back to Hannover. As the weather inproved quite quickly I decided to stop off in Leipzig to take some photos of their tram system, there is a 4 track tram stop outside the station, but by walking a short distance I found a couple of quieter spots, considering I had 2 cases and a backpack to watch whilst taking photos / video. There were a nice mix of old and newer trams.

the XXL tram, named for a reason..



and an older low floor tram



and another, this time in the new fleet livery.



After not seeing a leoliner in Halberstadt there were many running in leipzig.



Finally the older high floor Tatras



I then caught a service from Leipzig to Hannover. My first elecric loco hauled express service of the trip!

At Leipzig I was able to photograph this private operator's class 650 railcar leaving.



Just outside the main station was this roundhouse with a number of class 360's around it.



Alongside was this out of service ( number painted out) electric loco but the panto was still up!



On the way we passed a HEX unit outside Halle.



As I was doing very well on the timekeeping I decided to stop off for a hour at Braunschweig.

On the approach to the main station were rows of withdrawn electric locos.



The class 101 riden from Leipzig to Braunschweig



I've taken photos here before but as I had plenty of luggage I walked a short distance away from the station and right next to me was a class 01 pacific. One of the Germany express locos, I've stopped off here at least twice and not seen it before....



Then time for tram photos:
Class 07 tram.


Class 81 tram


it was back to the platform to find the Hannover service was running 10-15 minutes late. The driving trailer was defective and had been removed so the loco had to run round in Magdeburg.
I then had a hour around Hannover station but couldn't find anywhere quiet to take photos!


I managed a few tram and bus photos outside but it was too cold to spend too long outside.

Not the 8233 I'm used to seeing.



Older high floor tram.



I then caught a local train to the airport and ended up being over 3 hours early for the flight, but it was warm there!

On the way this private operator's class 185 electric loco was seen.

[sharpo]

Just been looking at the photos you just uploaded, some "real" snow in some of those photos, not like we get here.

[coalyardrly]

Trying to complete the article with numbers and the remaining photos - new rule can't go on another trip until the previous one is completed on Sharpos out and about section( It's my new year resolution!)

[sharpo]

Trying to complete the article with numbers and the remaining photos - new rule can't go on another trip until the previous one is completed on Sharpos out and about section( It's my new year resolution!)

Hah, I've given up on resolutions, can never stick to them! It's not just me that can never complete projects then?

[coalyardrly]

Fertig (Finished)