Roland SivonenJul 26, 2024

Alright, time to start a thread!

I'll be taking you with me as I have a go at a #BalticSpeedrun to Helsinki. This will involve 11 trains including one night train, one overnight stop and a ferry.

Train 1/11:

ICE 770
(Stuttgart Hbf)
14:01 Braunschweig Hbf 🇩🇪
15:42 Berlin Ostbahnhof 🇩🇪

🚂: ICE 4 XXL

Show threadRoland SivonenJul 26, 2024
15 minutes late arrival at Berlin Ostbahnhof due to traffic, with a rather nerve-wracking home stretch on the Stadtbahn, but I made my connection 😅
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 26, 2024

#BalticSpeedrun

Train 2/11:

S 3
16:07 Ostbahnhof
16:41 Erkner

🚂: Br 480 (these are still around???)

Show threadRoland SivonenJul 26, 2024

#BalticSpeedrun

Train 3/11:

RE 1
16:47 Erkner
17:31 Frankfurt (Oder)

🚂: ODEG Desiro HC

Show threadRoland SivonenJul 26, 2024

#BalticSpeedrun

Train 4/11:

EC 55 "Odra"
17:49 Frankfurt (Oder) 🇩🇪
20:58 Wrocław Główny 🇵🇱
(Kraków Główny)

🚂: PKP EU44 + PKP UIC-Z carriages

Show threadRoland Sivonen
Waiting for the replacement bus from Berlin, 30 minute delay expected...
Jul 26, 2024 at 4:11pmWeb
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 26, 2024
And we finally got moving 42 minutes late. Now some #trainwindowviews at the 🇩🇪🇵🇱 border
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 26, 2024
Mandatory WARS #diningcar visit. Kudos to the staff who have to prepare fresh meals and serve them even when travelling over jointed track at what looked like 140 km/h!
@diningcar
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 26, 2024

#BalticSpeedrun

Train 5/11:

TLK 61190 "Karkonosze"
(Szklarska Poręba Gorna)
23:33 Wrocław Główny 🇵🇱
05:51 Warszawa Wschodnia 🇵🇱

🚂: PKP EP07 + WLAB⁹bmnouz 308A sleeper + various PKP seated carriages (mostly UIC-Y)

Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024
Sleeper carriage amenity check:
Towels: ✅ (one provided to every passenger)
🍶: ❌
🥐: ✅ (small pack of log cake)
☕: ✅ (tea and coffee)
🚿: ❓ (there is one, but the booth is taped shut with door inoperable stickers)
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024
And unfortunately, it's an on-time arrival at Warszawa Wschodnia at 05:51am 😴
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024

#BalticSpeedrun

Train 6/11:

IC 31001 "Hańcza"
(Kraków Główny)
08:00 Warszawa Wschodnia 🇵🇱 (CET)
14:35 Mockava 🇱🇹 (EET)

🚂: PKP EP09 + UIC-Y carriages

Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024
Change to diesel in Białystok with this SU160 taking over. Białystok station is completely unrecognisable compared to 5 years ago 😵‍💫
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024
In today's @diningcar visit, the unavoidable classic. Single-use cutlery and plates instead of china this time, but you can't get pierogi wrong
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024
And now through the Suwałki Gap. Rather picturesque hilly landscapes indeed.
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024

#BalticSpeedrun

Train 7/11:

LTG Link 24
15:10 Mockava 🇱🇹
16:28 Kaunas 🇱🇹
(Vilnius)

🚂: LG Class 730ML

Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024
Kaunas, we're about ⅔ of the way.
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024

#BalticSpeedrun

Train 8/11:

LTG Link 44
17:00 Kaunas 🇱🇹
19:04 Šiauliai 🇱🇹

🚂: LG Class 620M

Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024
This railcar is giving RegioShuttle RS1 vibes, it's even got stop request buttons...
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024
A flat wagon train loaded with German military vehicles can be seen standing outside Palemonas shunting yard
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024
On-time arrival in Šiauliai. Shortly thereafter, the express from Vilnius to Klaipėda arrives.
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 27, 2024
In Šiauliai too, OHLE masts are starting to appear as the electrification of the main line to Klaipėda makes progress. Now off to my accommodation, the trip continues tomorrow.
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 28, 2024

#BalticSpeedrun

Train 9/11:

LTG Link 889
(Vilnius)
08:53 Šiauliai 🇱🇹
10:43 Rīga-Pasažieru 🇱🇻

🚂: LTG Link Class 730ML-002 (the Baltics broad-gauge train from the Connecting Europe Express)

Show threadRoland SivonenJul 28, 2024
As we cross the 🇱🇹🇱🇻 border, we go from 80 km/h jointed track to 120 km/h welded track
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 28, 2024
On-time arrival in Riga. The new footbridge for the Rail Baltica station is taking shape behind the remaining platforms of the old station.
Show threadRoland SivonenJul 28, 2024

#BalticSpeedrun

Train 10/11:

Vivi 874
11:00 Rīga-Pasažieru 🇱🇻
13:59 Valga 🇪🇪

🚂: LDz class DR1AC