Dominic StuckiOnly 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
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
The electric rubber noses (god, we rail people have a really strange vocabulary!) class ER apparently get a new red livery. Could this mean they're staying a bit longer than the diesel ones?
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
I first planned to stay in Denmark a day longer, but due to work-related circumstances, I scrapped this plan, Midtjyske Jernbaner has to wait. Instead, I'm boarding another IC3 towards Germany.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
More IC3 cosiness and then a short cross plattform connection to the RE 7 in Flensburg. Including a short chat with @niklas_net travelling in the opposite direction - thanks for saying hello! 🙂
Germany, third country for today. 🇧🇻 🇩🇰 🇩🇪
#OperationOslo
Germany, third country for today. 🇧🇻 🇩🇰 🇩🇪
#OperationOslo
Rendsburg, terminus for today. The RE continues to Hamburg without me. I've only seen Rendsburg from above so far, it's about time to see it from ground level. 😉
Good Night!
#OperationOslo
Good Night!
#OperationOslo
Good Morning from beautifully quiet Rendsburg. I slept like a stone and ate way too much from the excellent breakfast buffet, which I'll regret soon. Off for the last leg of #OperationOslo.
Not only the railway line, also the city has a very interesting layout here. I'll have to look this up later. All in all, Rendsburg is a lovely place for the overnight stop to Scandinavia. Way cheaper and quieter than Hamburg or København and more Hotels than Flensburg. I need to come back with more time to explore the old town and the Schwebefähre.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Schiffsbegrüssungsanlage*.
Peak Germany. 🇩🇪 😅
#OperationOslo
* Translates to something like "ship welcoming installation"
The lovely but a bit neglected Rendsburg station. But it seems that some kind of renewal is carried out.
Oh, and yes, that's a train up in the air there.
#OperationOslo
Oh, and yes, that's a train up in the air there.
#OperationOslo
Well, that was rather obvious, wasn't it?
Now I'm regretting having no stomach capacity left for a second breakfast. Well, I can at least get something to drink.
#OperationOslo
Now I'm regretting having no stomach capacity left for a second breakfast. Well, I can at least get something to drink.
#OperationOslo
The third rail is a very clear sign that we're approaching Hamburg. After the usual stops on the Verbindungsbahn just before the main station, we collect the mandatory delay to enter Hamburg Hbf. This could be such a beautiful station, but it's operated in a really "ugly" way.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
From the balcony on the northern part of the train shed, you have a fantastic view over the tracks. Four platform tracks for the Berlin line, four platform tracks for the Hannover line and two platform tracks for the southbound S-Bahn share the limited space in the train shed. But are the two through tracks without platform really necessary or could this space be used to widen the narrow existing platforms?
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
My ICE to Zürich is – surprise – delayed. Officially due to a problem with the rolling stock, but probably also because an ICE in the opposite direction stopped on our track roughly around our planned departure time.
Finally, it arrived with about +15.
#OperationOslo
Finally, it arrived with about +15.
#OperationOslo
Ok, we left with +18 minutes. The daily DB delay lottery is on again. 🔥
Officially, the ride to Zürich takes 8hrs32 with a planned arrival at 20:00. What do you think: What will be my delay on arrival at Zürich?
#OperationOslo
Officially, the ride to Zürich takes 8hrs32 with a planned arrival at 20:00. What do you think: What will be my delay on arrival at Zürich?
#OperationOslo
Bang on time at 20:00
<= 30 Minutes delayed
<= 60 Minutes delayed
> 60 Minutes delayed
Poll ended at .
@mikey179 @kupfers
Ok, due to popular demand. 😉⤵️
📊 What are the main reasons for the delay, if there will be any:
#OperationOslo
Riedbahn
Terminating short at Basel Bad
Other usual operational DB problems
SBB messing up and blaming DB
Poll ended at .
Frankfurt Hbf, 16:07, sunset. In Oslo, it would be dark for at least half an hour already now. Taking the opportunity to get a bit of fresh air during the impressively short 6 minute turnaround. Departure 16:13, 13 minutes delayed. Riedbahn next.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Yes, that's my ICE77 at Basel SBB and it's not terminating here! Departure towards Zürich on time at 19:06! 🤯
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Zürich HB, 20:00 and 5 seconds, +2°C, 1400km south of Oslo. Arrival bang on time.
#OperationOslo
#OperationOslo
Exactly 50 hours and 21 minutes after leaving Oslo on the RE11 on Thursday evening and nearly 7 days since I left Zürich. #OperationOslo terminates here. The trip was, unlike DB's forecast said, indeed possible!
Frank Kleine@dominicstucki [x] Train prematurely ends in Basel Bad Bf
Indra Kupferschmid 💙💛@dominicstucki Where is the option Ausfall ab Badischer Bahnhof?
Lukas 🎢 🇳🇴@dominicstucki Ausfall ab Basel SBB? 👀🙃
Den 21:43 IR37 kann ich aber empfehlen! Habe gehört da sei ganz tolles Zugpersonal drauf 😁
Den 21:43 IR37 kann ich aber empfehlen! Habe gehört da sei ganz tolles Zugpersonal drauf 😁
@K1ngdaKa88
Siehe Zusatzfrage. 😁
Oh, bringt das tolle Zugpersonal denn auch tolles Rollmaterial mit? 😉
magst ja 👀 @K1ngdaKa88
Oh, das wäre ja eine gute Nachricht. Mal schauen, was die Verspätung macht - aktuell wird sie kleiner! 🙂
Oh, das wäre ja eine gute Nachricht. Mal schauen, was die Verspätung macht - aktuell wird sie kleiner! 🙂
@dominicstucki und ab 20:28 Uhr wäre ich bereits in Basel und man könnte dann ja z.B. noch was trinken gehen. :)
Martin Hoffmann@dominicstucki I recon the biggest issue here is the at-grade separation of the lines towards Berliner Tor and Harburg. They could have fixed that years ago when they closed the old central goods station: Close the main line tracks towards Berliner Tor and only use the ones towards Harburg as up/down pairs. Then build a massive grade-separated junction at Ericus to separate the lines to Harburg, Bergedorf, and Wandsbek.
@partim
That's an interesting idea, indeed! So you could operate the station in "Richtungsbetrieb" (no idea what's the english word for it).
Also, as I wrote in another post, turnaround tracks outside the station could help to free up platform capacity. You'd probably need to design the timetable starting with the Verbindungsbahn. Closing Dammtor could also help. 😁
That's an interesting idea, indeed! So you could operate the station in "Richtungsbetrieb" (no idea what's the english word for it).
Also, as I wrote in another post, turnaround tracks outside the station could help to free up platform capacity. You'd probably need to design the timetable starting with the Verbindungsbahn. Closing Dammtor could also help. 😁
@dominicstucki Ideally you’d have no terminating trains, but that’s probably too much for Verbindungsbahn (even if you tie together lines heading north and south). Stealing the park between Binnen- and Außenalster for a bunch of turning tracks is probably not an option.
Norra kommissionen@dominicstucki Viel wichtiger: im richtigen Speisewagen! 👍
@nordkommission
Da hatte ich leider keine Wahl, das Bahnreisegesetz ist da ja sehr klar: Wenn ein ČD-Speisewagen im Zug ist, muss er besucht werden.
Da hatte ich leider keine Wahl, das Bahnreisegesetz ist da ja sehr klar: Wenn ein ČD-Speisewagen im Zug ist, muss er besucht werden.
petes_bread_eqn_xls
Tor Lillqvist@dominicstucki Lovely to see a ČD loco so far in the north. (Wonder if they could eventually be approved for Denmark even?)
asraelvudogel@dominicstucki
And don't miss the foottunnel under the canal as an alternative way to the Schwebefähre.
And don't miss the foottunnel under the canal as an alternative way to the Schwebefähre.
@dominicstucki The history of the railway in this area is rather complex. What is now the main line was split here and the current station was the terminus for the line coming up from Neumünster. The line from the north was a branch of a railway going from Flensburg direct to Husum and Tönning built by an English company. It had its own station north of the Eider river.
The current routing was only created after Prussia took over in 1866, resulting in lots of changes around Schleswig.
Barend Köbben@dominicstucki I hope you got the chance to look at the suspension ferry ...?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendsburg_High_Bridge
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendsburg_High_Bridge
@barendkobben
Not today, sadly. It was dark yesterday and I have to get back to Switzerland today. Need to come back for a longer stay.
Not today, sadly. It was dark yesterday and I have to get back to Switzerland today. Need to come back for a longer stay.
Niklas@dominicstucki Was a pleasure! 😊
@dominicstucki I hear you have to go to Thyborøn real soon if you want to use an Y-tog still.
@partim
That's what I heard, too (I don't know a precise date, though), that's why it was part of the original plan...
That's what I heard, too (I don't know a precise date, though), that's why it was part of the original plan...
@dominicstucki Went there years ago and can also very much recommend the town as a destination. The Danish west coast is really rather nice.
@partim
Noted. Well, I did some 25% shopping recently, so maybe that's something for early 2024. 😁
Noted. Well, I did some 25% shopping recently, so maybe that's something for early 2024. 😁
Schleifleistenbruch@dominicstucki isn't it just one or two units in red livery? They also feel quite worn, I don't think they will survive long after the new Alstom units have arrived.
@Schleifleistenbruch
I have no idea. Either I'm lucky because I always see red ones when I'm in Denmark or there is more than one. 😉
Also, as far as I know, DSB ordered 100 IC5, right? If I calculated correctly, this can replace the existing fleet, but not expand the seating capacity (ok, maybe IC4 probably don't have tight diagrams).
New:
IC5: 100 x 300 seats: 30'000 seats
Existing:
IC3: 96 x 136: 13'056 seats
IR4: 44 x 207: 9'108 seats
IC4: 47 x 208: 9'776 seats
Total existing: 31'940
@dominicstucki 
also bought the double-decker-cars from alex, that's also a plus of approx. 1000 seats.
also bought the double-decker-cars from alex, that's also a plus of approx. 1000 seats.
Jon Worth@dominicstucki some diesel ones are red too. And the diesel ones will stay until at least 2027 as the Alstom EMU order is delayed…
@jon
Ah, okay, thanks. Then, my assumption is probably wrong. 🙂
Ah, okay, thanks. Then, my assumption is probably wrong. 🙂
@dominicstucki DSB: always capable of putting lipstick on a pig. Sadly! (I know the Gumminase IC3 is legendary but they’ve served too long now)
@jon
IC3 yes, but the IR4 are only 25-30 years old and - obviously - electric. With a refurbishment, they'd probably do another 15 years, unless there's a structural problem. But the issue is: As far as I know, they don't have low floor doors for level boarding. 😥
IC3 yes, but the IR4 are only 25-30 years old and - obviously - electric. With a refurbishment, they'd probably do another 15 years, unless there's a structural problem. But the issue is: As far as I know, they don't have low floor doors for level boarding. 😥
@dominicstucki Yes that might be the end of them - the lack of level boarding. But could Serbia or Romania buy them? 25kV, 180km/h…
@jon
Hm, does the Danish loading gauge correspond with the Romanian or Serbian one? On the other hand, Astra is running the IC2, so it seems to work at least in Romania...
Hm, does the Danish loading gauge correspond with the Romanian or Serbian one? On the other hand, Astra is running the IC2, so it seems to work at least in Romania...
LionelB'We wish you a good journey and a good day'.
DSB positively bursting with excitement and imagination...
'Welcome to the station' quite useful though. When you just arrived at a station.
Oh my. Looks like a nuclear bunker.
@dominicstucki Are you travelling to Hamburg via Flensburg today? ^^
@niklas_net
Only as far as Rendsburg today.
Only as far as Rendsburg today.