Dominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Morning.
04:30. The alarm clock rings and the DB app greets me with a friendly push: «Trip not possible».
Ha! Challenge accepted!
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Today I'm playing the DB game in difficulty «very hard», as I have a tight connection in Hamburg.
What happened? The ICE to Zürich yesterday evening was short terminated at Basel Bad and is not running from Zürich today. SBB runs a replacement train to Basel SBB, but according to the app, neither the tram (cancelled) nor the train connection over to Basel Bad is working. DB consequently recommends going on a bus trip in the UK instead, if you click "alternative travel option".
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
I'm sitting in a warm Apm 61, I have tea and the train crew lady says that my ICE will be awaiting the connection at Basel Bad, no matter what the app says. All good, so far...
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Arrival at Basel SBB. The train manager wishes all passengers travelling onwards to Germany «good luck». 😂
The tram is still cancelled, so I take ICE 202 over to Basel Bad.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
And indeed, my #IrrfahrtenUndChaosExpress ICE 78 is waiting at Basel Bad. Unfortunately, the little chaos didn't get us a better rolling stock, it's still a ICE 4. 😑
However, it apparently took DB totally by surprise. The train is not prepared and the screens display the wrong destination and the wrong reservations. The driver needs to prepare the train first, before we finally depart with +20.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Still +20, but it's also still breakfast time. 😋 Super friendly service. 😊
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
In the meantime, we've passed Hannover and making our way northwards. Despite a signal failure at Kassel and a detour via the classic line between Kassel and Göttingen (good for my line statistics), we managed to keep our delay of 20 mins. If it stays like this, it's all fine.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic Stucki
#OperationOslo is, by the way, at least half a work trip. I'll be attending an international railway meeting in Oslo on Wednesday and Thursday. As I refuse to fly, I had to find a way which allows me to participate in some online meetings on Monday and Tuesday and to be in Oslo on time on Wednesday. Hence, it won't be a crazy route as usual, but I'll still do a bunch of lines I haven't been on so far.
Dec 10, 2023 at 12:52pmWeb
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Northern weather and northern trains at Uelzen. We're being held in a siding outside the station. Flixtrain overtakes us for the second time already, just behind a fast ICE. This adds another 10 minutes to our delay.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Which got me thinking. If the government really scraps the new high speed line project Hannover—Hamburg, the stations on the existing line need to be upgraded. In our case, we've been held outside the station for overtaking even though we had a scheduled stop. The reason for this is that there are only three platforms, one of which is blocked by the Metronom. With two fast platform tracks per direction, trains could be overtaken while they stop, which would improve capacity.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Crossing river Elbe and shortly after arriving at a very wet and grey Hamburg Hbf with a delay of 33 minutes. Could be worse for crossing Germany.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Mandatory picture of McDonald's Hbf while getting a little snack.
Our empty train from Basel is still here, blocking valuable platform capacity, when I'm back at platform level about 10 minutes later.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Nostalgic rolling stock on the RE to Kiel, which is arriving 25 minutes late but departs on time. I expected something modern, but I'm not even mad. 😁
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Bloody dismal weather. 😬
How good to sit in a warm train with a big cup of tea.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Brrr...
Plus: Level crossing failure, another +15 minutes. Also, we're losing 1-2 minutes with every stop. Maybe bad adhesion due to the drizzle?
Anyway, it's getting tight towards the end...
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
16:45 and it's pitch black. The only good thing with this is: Tomorrow is the earliest sunset. Afterwards it's getting better again, at least in the evenings.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
16:54, arrival at Kiel Hbf. +20 delay on this train, +57 on the whole trip. Shouldn't have been much more, ferry boarding is until 17:15. So no time at all to explore this interesting looking station with a nordic touch when it comes to shops.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
It's a 10 minute walk along the waterfront to the Stena Line terminal. My vessel for tonight, the Stena Germanica, comes into view long before the modern terminal building. Check-in on the first floor did not take more than a minute. Afterwards it's quite a walk on the long gangway onto the ship. Very quick and convenient rail-ship connection. That's how it should be.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
The ship seems to be rather quiet tonight. I'm booked in a bunk bed outside cabin, the flex ticket was EUR 186 – which is way cheaper than comparable accommodation on the Zürich–Hamburg or Hamburg–Stockholm sleeper.
More exploration later, first I'll lay down for a few minutes. 😴
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
Stena Germanica is a bit older than the other Stena ferries I have been on this year. And it has kind of a strange layout, probably due to its extension. Nevertheless it's a decent standard ferry with restaurants, bars, and an alcohol and perfume shop.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
It's indeed a quiet evening. I'm too late for the Christmas buffet at one of the restaurants, but I managed to grab some classic ferry food in the Bistro. I'm however passing on the beer, as there probably will be enough of it in the coming days. Back to my cabin for a hopefully quiet night. See you tomorrow!
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 11, 2023
Morning from the Stena Germanica. I slept like a baby in the comfortable bed as we sailed through thick fog. Very eerie mood when we passed the Storebæltsbroen. Only the bottom of the pillars were clearly visible, the deck was hidden in the fog. Sorry for the lousy pictures.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 11, 2023
A real bed, a big shower with good water pressure and a breakfast buffet: Take this, night trains!
However I miss the Coffee bar, which exists on other Stena ferries.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 11, 2023
Spot on time at 09:15 we arrive in Göteborg. Unlike on other ferries, you're allowed to stay in the cabin until arrival. And, also unlike on other ferries, the gangway for foot passengers opens only minutes after arrival. A short gangway leads to the terminal building.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 11, 2023
The customs dog shortly sniffs my bag, then I'm allowed to enter Sweden. 🇸🇪
A long footbridge leads over the port access roads to a backroad, from where it's only a short walk to the tram stop Chapmans Torg. All in all, it's not even 5 minutes from the ship to the tram stop.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 11, 2023
The tram lines 3 and 9 (every ten minutes each) take you to Göteborg main station in 15-20 mins. A ticket is SEK 35 and can be paid contactless in the tram.
I'm not riding all the way to Centralstationen, as I'm staying here for tonight. Instead, I'm off to the nearest Espresso House for the first Kanelbulle and some work.
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 11, 2023
After a day of remote work, it was more than time for a bit of railways - Göteborgs spårvägar, to be exact. And no visit to Göteborg is complete without riding the retro M31 trams. 😊
#OperationOslo
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 11, 2023
Zürich 🤝 Göteborg
- Blue and white trams
- Retro trams with low floor extension
- Consequent use of line colours
- Weird tram interior colour
#OperationOslo
Show threadorangerkaterDec 11, 2023
@dominicstucki I do love trains, but ships even more so! So yes, I envy you for your trip!
Show threadMartin HoffmannDec 10, 2023
@dominicstucki The second picture could have been taken on the Stena Brittanica. Are they doing Heineken or Carlsberg on this one?
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
@partim
I can't remember, I think Carlsberg, but I'll have a look tomorrow. But there is also Staropramen and a range of bottles, among them Brooklyn IPA which would've been my choice.
Show threadMartin HoffmannDec 10, 2023
@dominicstucki This route somehow was never on my radar, even though it is pretty perfect for going to both Stockholm and Oslo. Might even work for a double ferry trip to Finland.
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
@partim
Yes, indeed! And it's reachable within a day from Zürich – unlike the Oslo route which leaves already in the afternoon and the Denmark ferries which are too far away from Switzerland. And perfectly accessible from the train station.
Show threadMartin HoffmannDec 10, 2023
@dominicstucki Same for Amsterdam. Access-wise it definitely beats DFDS in Copenhagen. I guess the situation is more difficult in Gothenburg. But no spoilers, we’ll find out tomorrow ;)
Show threadSchleifleistenbruchDec 10, 2023
@dominicstucki is this a Bakerloo scarf?
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
@Schleifleistenbruch
It is! Absolute favourite accessory. Thinking of buying an Elizabeth line one, too. 😉
Show threadTor LillqvistDec 10, 2023
@dominicstucki @Schleifleistenbruch I have that one, too! (Sadly, only one person recognised it during my Interrail tour last spring, or at least just one person nodded in recognition and mentioned it… In Cambridge.) And a similar coat, too.
Show threadFCDec 10, 2023
@dominicstucki thanx for the ride. It has been fun following. I need to try to take the train to Malaga from Stockholm
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
@fatalisticcritic
Do it! And take your time to take a slow train or a detour every now and then. 🙂
Show threadJonathanDec 10, 2023
@dominicstucki What a cool thread! Safe travels 😊
Show threadslateroniDec 10, 2023
@dominicstucki you should feel lucky that they sent this one. It runs as backup for the Twindexx wrecks since 2017 and seems currently to be the only reliable unit DB Regio can provide.
Show threadDominic StuckiDec 10, 2023
@slateroni
Oh, are they still not working? I saw quite a few on the way to Kiel.
Show threadslateroniDec 10, 2023
@dominicstucki well, they roll, but door failures are common. So they send them out even with one or two closed cars - out of four.
Show threadMartin HoffmannDec 10, 2023
@dominicstucki You could also build fast approaches towards the platforms on the western side. Although they used to be pretty rudimentary. Not sure that has changed, probably not.