Dominic StuckiMorning 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
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
However I miss the Coffee bar, which exists on other Stena ferries.
#OperationOslo
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
#OperationOslo
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
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
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
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
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
#OperationOslo
Zürich 🤝 Göteborg
- Blue and white trams
- Retro trams with low floor extension
- Consequent use of line colours
- Weird tram interior colour
#OperationOslo
- Blue and white trams
- Retro trams with low floor extension
- Consequent use of line colours
- Weird tram interior colour
#OperationOslo
On the other hand, this is sadly still light years away in Zürich: Göteborg is replacing the ticket machines in the tram by simple card readers where you can buy a ticket by just tapping your contactless payment card.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Besides the M31, you'll encounter the unloved AnsaldoBreda M32 and the new Bombardier/Vossloh-Kiepe Flexity M33 on the network, both articulated low floor trams. I couldn't recognize any pattern in rolling stock usage, every tram type seems to be used on every line?!
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
The oldest M29 high floor tramcars also still seem to be in service. But I only saw two of them and sadly didn't manage to get a ride on one of them.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
I also didn't miss a stroll through Göteborg's city center at night.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
And with this Christmas mood photo of an M33 I say Good Night from Göteborg.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
After some more work this morning, it was finally time to hit the rails again. But before, there's something I discovered on Openrailwaymap which I wanted to see.
Oh, and today was the day I finally realised that the M31 trams have an asymmetric front design! 🤯
#OperationOslo
Oh, and today was the day I finally realised that the M31 trams have an asymmetric front design! 🤯
#OperationOslo
Uh-oh, what's that?! Another M29 consist with a wonderful rollsign! But no time for a ride today. Instead, I'm gonna take the 3 to Brunnsparken.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Brunnsparken is the main tram hub in the centre, most lines pass here. While I wait for my tram, there's another chance to take pictures of most of Göteborg's tram types in commercial service.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
My line 9 service to Angered is worked by a Flexity M33. The travel time indications on the passenger information screen already shows that this isn't your standard tram line.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
The map shows that the line is completely separated from other traffic all the way out to Angered and has only three intermediate stops, one of which is in a longer tunnel. On the first few kilometres, the line runs parallel to the railway main line. After the flat junctions at Gamlestaden, there is even a short section of gauntlet track across an old bridge.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
While Göteborg's trams are already more like a Stadtbahn (urban light rail) in the city centre, outside here it looks even like a proper railway line. There are normal tracks and signals, the line speed is 60 km/h and it runs across forests and grassland.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Nästa: Svamptingsplatsen
...
oh, no, wait, Hjällbo. But the principle is the same as at home in Zürich: As the station in the following tunnel has an island platform and the trams only have doors on one side, the tracks have to switch sides.
#OperationOslo
...
oh, no, wait, Hjällbo. But the principle is the same as at home in Zürich: As the station in the following tunnel has an island platform and the trams only have doors on one side, the tracks have to switch sides.
#OperationOslo
The line ends in a huge turning loop at Angered Centrum. This is a proper transport hub with a huge bus terminal in the middle of the loop, one track with two platforms for each of the three tram lines, a ticket office and the mandatory Pressbyrån.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Only a tram tunnel is a good tunnel. 😁
Short stop at Sotrås on the way back to get some pictures of trams leaving the tunnel. The railway-like infrastructure with the old, short trams definitely looks weird.
#OperationOslo
Short stop at Sotrås on the way back to get some pictures of trams leaving the tunnel. The railway-like infrastructure with the old, short trams definitely looks weird.
#OperationOslo
And, you guessed it, I also had to have a look at this underground stop. 🤓
With the low hanging ceiling above the platform and the bare rock it doesn't look too welcoming. It could do with a bit of a refreshment – VBZ would surely give some advice on it.
#OperationOslo
With the low hanging ceiling above the platform and the bare rock it doesn't look too welcoming. It could do with a bit of a refreshment – VBZ would surely give some advice on it.
#OperationOslo
There was sadly no time to take the escalator to the surface, I had to return to the railway station. Quick photo of an M31 arriving at the underground station and then back to the city centre.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Another M29 greeted me in front of the railway station. But, as I already said, sadly no time left for a ride.
I love the coloured rollsigns, they remind me of Zürich's Mirage and T2000 trams. And a rollsign with good typography is so much more beautiful and readable than a modern LED screen.
#OperationOslo
I love the coloured rollsigns, they remind me of Zürich's Mirage and T2000 trams. And a rollsign with good typography is so much more beautiful and readable than a modern LED screen.
#OperationOslo
The beautiful Göteborg Centralstation is always a treat, but it's even better with Christmas decorations.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
A wide range of Swedish trains are waiting at the platforms, but I have to look for a dark green Vy Stadler "Flirt", which I finally find at platform 4. Another Flirt, a red MTRX one, is just arriving.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
My first time in a long distance Vy-Flirt. The seats are good, but otherwise, the interior looks a bit spartan for a 3.5 hrs trip. No platform doors, no carpet, some compartments without a table, standard white plastic ceiling. Far away from the comfort of a Bm 73.
But there is a lot of luggage space and a coffee machine! 😊☕️
Are the Bergen Flirts the same or is there a series with InterCity standard interior?
#OperationOslo
But there is a lot of luggage space and a coffee machine! 😊☕️
Are the Bergen Flirts the same or is there a series with InterCity standard interior?
#OperationOslo
Leaving Göteborg. On time, even if the Entur App apparently wasn't totally sure when this train would leave. 😁 But the timetable on this line has improved a lot since I was here last time. There's now a train every two hours.
Shortly north of the city, the snow begins. It's kinda scary for a Swiss going 200 km/h in a Flirt.
#OperationOslo
Shortly north of the city, the snow begins. It's kinda scary for a Swiss going 200 km/h in a Flirt.
#OperationOslo
The front of the train is quiet, there's only one other passenger in my carriage. North of Öxnered, the landscape becomes totally white.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Kanelbulle and a hot coffee from the vending machine in the warm, quiet train while we ride through snowy forests, across windswept fields and along frozen lakes in the strange winter afternoon twilight. ❄️☃️ Perfect! 😊
Greetings to my colleagues probably queueing at an airport now. 😁
#OperationOslo
Greetings to my colleagues probably queueing at an airport now. 😁
#OperationOslo
It's nearly dark when the train manager announces that we've arrived in Norway at about 15:45. 🇳🇴
From Halden, first station on the Norwegian side, the train becomes a semi-fast commuter service. It gets full quickly and there is standing room only for the last few stops into Oslo. It's probably this combination with a domestic service which allows them to run it 2-hourly, but it's not too comfortable for long distance travellers.
#OperationOslo
From Halden, first station on the Norwegian side, the train becomes a semi-fast commuter service. It gets full quickly and there is standing room only for the last few stops into Oslo. It's probably this combination with a domestic service which allows them to run it 2-hourly, but it's not too comfortable for long distance travellers.
#OperationOslo
Oslo Sentralstasjon, 17:43, -2°, 1400km north of Zürich. Arrival bang on time.
The first part of #OperationOslo ends here – take this, Deutsche Bahn. «Trip is not possible», haha! Apart from the mess at the beginning, this was a very quiet and comfortable trip. Thaks for reading, sharing and commenting. And I'm looking forward to you joining me again on the same channel later this week for the way back. 😊👋
The real #MountainMetro is not in Zürich 🇨🇭 but in Oslo 🇳🇴. Of course, I absolutely had to ride it.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Good evening from Oslo S! It was an exciting two days in Oslo. But it's now sadly already time to resume #OperationOslo, which becomes more like Operation Zürich as I now have to head back to the south.
Oslo S is in many ways a fascinating station. But it's neither particularly beautiful, nor very interesting rolling stock wise. Most of the trains are worked by the smart looking Vy Flirts.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
The brand new big departure board in the main hall has not only a very clear layout, it also features an additional «next train to» indicator for the most important destinations. A very good example of a departure board!
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Today it's only a «short» two hours hop with a Vy Flirt (RE version) to Larvik in the South of Oslo.
It was another Vy RE Flirt as a 10-car double unit working the hourly RE11 to Skien. And that capacity was necessary, apparently rail in the Oslo region is widely used.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Larvik station, 19:30. The trains cross here, clockface timetable approved! ✅
With that, my rail experience in Norway sadly already ends for this time.
#OperationOslo
With that, my rail experience in Norway sadly already ends for this time.
#OperationOslo
Larvik, a lovely little town, a regional centre with a few shops and restaurants, looks marvellous, all lit in Christmas lights.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Morning from sleepy Larvik station. It's 06:30, time for the ferry! ⛴️
The terminal is 2.5 km away and there is no public transport. I was reliably informed that this is gonna change, but we need a bit of patience. There is a taxi waiting at the station, but I'm opting for a little early morning walk.
#OperationOslo
The terminal is 2.5 km away and there is no public transport. I was reliably informed that this is gonna change, but we need a bit of patience. There is a taxi waiting at the station, but I'm opting for a little early morning walk.
#OperationOslo
The walk leads along the main road, under the railway bridge, through a quiet residential street and along the footpath next to the port access road.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
The Color Line terminal comes into view. The walk from the main station took exactly 35 minutes, according to Google it's 2.5 km.
Color Line tells you that you need to check in until 1 hour prior to departure, but sources told me that 45 minutes is more than enough. 😉
#OperationOslo
Color Line tells you that you need to check in until 1 hour prior to departure, but sources told me that 45 minutes is more than enough. 😉
#OperationOslo
It's a standard modern terminal. I get my boarding pass in no time at the counter and can then proceed through the glass doors to the waiting area. After about 5 minutes, at 07:20, boarding starts.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Boarding the Super Speed ferry, together with about 50 other foot passengers. Departure is planned for 08:00.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Departure from Larvik, 15 minutes early at 7:45. The Super Speed 2 offers a luggage storage room (very handy for foot passengers as me), a restaurant, a café and seating areas, for some of which you'll have to pay separately which was definitely not necessary today. There was more than enough space in the café. The sky turned from black to grey outside, as we crossed the sea.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Arrival at Hirtshals at 11:45. Wow, this faint yellow sphere in the sky, I haven't seen it for a long time! ☀️
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Smooth disembarking at about 11:50. From the about 50 foot passengers having boarded with me, only three left the boat by foot. No customs dogs, no passport controls, that's how I like Europe.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
A long, slightly worn down foot bridge leads to the station and the town of Hirtshals. I'm the only one to go this way. No wonder, the train has left only minutes after the ship's arrival, the next one is in one hour.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
The foot bridge ends at a small path leading towards the station.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
I thought I could spend the hour in the waiting room of the station and - with a bit of luck - even get a coffee from a vending machine. Well, that was way too optimistic. Welcome to Denmark 🇩🇰 with its rather ascetic railway infrastructure. Hirtshals is a good example: No roof, no vending machine, no waiting room. The former station building is rented out to a company. At least there is a small supermarket nearby, without a coffee machine although...
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Luckily, you can nearly always count on inefficient railway operations. As I guessed, the train from Hjørring arrived already at 12:10 for the 12:50 departure. So at least I can wait in the warm train. Despite the sign at the station entrance promising a LINT, it's a Desiro in the blue livery of Nordjyske Jernbaner.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Sum up: Larvik–Hirtshals isn't the best ferry for rail travellers. On the 🇧🇻 Norwegian side, the future bus connection will improve things greatly. On the 🇩🇰 Danish side, the terminal is perfectly located. But the uncoordinated timetable on the railway side and the non-existing station infrastructure make it rather unattractive. If the trains would run half-hourly (as they do in most other hours, but not around noon when the ferry arrives), the experience would be much better!
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
The train brings me to Hjørring and would continue to Aalborg. I'll get off there to get something to eat and some more fresh air.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
The ferry already left again when we depart Hirtshals. Through the rural Danish landscape, it's a 30 minute hop to Hjørring. We stop quite often and the train gets surprisingly full. Another argument for half hourly services.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Hjørring station later in the afternoon. A Lint from Hirtshals, a Desiro from Aalborg and another Desiro from Skagen meet for Nordjyske Jernbaner's takt node. The line is apparently operated on ETCS L2 without signals, even though it's only a small branch line!
A lot of people queue in front of the doors of my train to Aalborg. This will get crowded... 😬
#OperationOslo
A lot of people queue in front of the doors of my train to Aalborg. This will get crowded... 😬
#OperationOslo
Aalborg station. Finally a civilised station with a roof and a shop! The model railway is a plus. 🙂
The train was crowded indeed, even though it was in the middle of the afternoon. NJ should think of running double units and split them in Hjørring to Hirtshals and Skagen.
Anyway, my next train is a DSB ICL service and it's worked by everybody's favourite here, the insanely comfortable IC3 or class MF. 🥰
#OperationOslo
The train was crowded indeed, even though it was in the middle of the afternoon. NJ should think of running double units and split them in Hjørring to Hirtshals and Skagen.
Anyway, my next train is a DSB ICL service and it's worked by everybody's favourite here, the insanely comfortable IC3 or class MF. 🥰
#OperationOslo
Thanks to my staff travel tickets, this is my first ride in first class on a DSB IC3. The seats are very similar in standard class, so there's normally no need to buy a first class ticket here. But there's complimentary snacks and self-service tea/coffee in first. Only the Kanelsnegle you have to bring yourself. 😉
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Arrival at Fredericia, the city which was built in the wrong location railway-wise. 😉
The train couples to another unit here while I alight. Luckily, I'm not using the local service to Odense, which would be one of these horrible Ansaldo units.
#OperationOslo
The train couples to another unit here while I alight. Luckily, I'm not using the local service to Odense, which would be one of these horrible Ansaldo units.
#OperationOslo
Wrzlbrnft@dominicstucki DSB First isn't as crowded as 2nd class usually is. Reason enough for a 1st class ticket. 😅
Darwin Woodka
Benjamin Hickethier@dominicstucki This is my standard route arriving in Hirtshals with the night ferry from Stavanger, then southward to Hamburg, Berlin or further on.
Thanks for sharing, and yes, there is huge potential for improvement! It’s great that this way of traveling gets attention, let’s hope someone in charge notices the demand #NJ #DSB
Knud JahnkeHow did the others get off? Or did they do a round-trip cruise?
@knud
Don't know. Either on a Bus or they indeed did a little cruise. Most (all?) seemed to be part of an organised tour.
Don't know. Either on a Bus or they indeed did a little cruise. Most (all?) seemed to be part of an organised tour.
Ah, tour makes sense.
Jonas Boström@dominicstucki Not crossing at stations isn't really an option on a single track line…
But in and around Oslo, Norway actually have good train service.
@Jonas_Bostrom
Yes, I also prefer crossings where there are two tracks. 😉
I wanted to point out that hourly trains crossing at XX:30 means that it is a clockface timetable with the standard symmetry minute 00 - which is good. 🙂