lars' transport worldWith a delay of 67 minutes, we are arriving at Stockholm C. As we haven't planned anything on this day, we don't mind. There was an extra stop at Kathrineholm for passengers catching a train to Karlstad and Oslo. I try to get a delay compensation. However, I cannot use the online form, as I don't have a Swedish personnummer (international customer on an international night train... what a surprise, #SJ đ€Ą). #WrigglingIntoWinter
Stockholm's Central station with Christmas decoration đ€© #WrigglingIntoWinter
VĂ€lkommen till Stockholm, where bananas grow on olive trees! #WrigglingIntoWinter
Not even 10 minutes after our train arrived in Stockholm, I found myself buying a plant-based saffransbulle. đ #WrigglingIntoWinter
#Stockholm is wonderful at Christmas time đ All the warm lights and... Well, this toot is getting too touristy. This is a transportation themed account, right?! Look at this metro train on Söderstrombron, isn't it beautiful!? #WrigglingIntoWinter
Even #Stockholm 's buses and trams are in the festive mood! #WrigglingIntoWinter
Since my first visit to #Stockholm in 2013, I remember that #Slussen has been under major construction work. Today, they even have a floating bus waiting area! #WrigglingIntoWinter
Finally, I can take my first ride on a "new" 6th generation #Tunnelbana train. #WrigglingIntoWinter
Ropsten was not an incidental destination. It is the starting point of the #Lidingöbanan. It survived Dagen H (the day when Sweden switched from driving on the left side of the road to the right), but was endangered later in the 1980s. However, it was saved thanks to an initiative. Since 2009, this lightraily transport system has been classified as tram rather than a railway. It offers a great view of the harbor area from the shore. #WrigglingIntoWinter
#Lidingöbanan 's operator has changed many times. Today, Stockholms SpÄrvÀgar operates line 21 with three- and four-section CAF Urbos AXL trams. The three-section trams are used for Nockebybanan, TvÀrbanan and SpÄrvÀg City as well. So, the vehicles are rather unspectacular. #WrigglingIntoWinter
#Stockholm was very nice, but I didn't see any snow. Let's go further north! The ferries to Finland don't run on Christmas, the night trains are almost fully booked. However, #SJ 's #NattÄg 96 to LuleÄ still had some free sleeping compartments a couple of days ago. 1st class is 25% cheaper than 2nd class for this train, so it's an easy choice for us. #WrigglingIntoWinter
#SJ 's #NattÄg feels like a love-hate relationship. What I do like: I love the idea of travelling this far north on these long old-fashioned trains. The wooden elements in the compartment create a cosy atmosphere.
You can lock your compartment from the outside, which is great for a visit to the bistro. And you can assemble your beds by yourself. #WrigglingIntoWinter
You can lock your compartment from the outside, which is great for a visit to the bistro. And you can assemble your beds by yourself. #WrigglingIntoWinter
What I don't like: The trains have become a little grimy in my opinion. Our coach is very noisy and it is difficult to sleep. There are some crumbs in our beds. Even breakfast is included in first class. You don't get it in the bistro if you're on the LuleÄ section, but in a restaurant at the terminus. This is perfect for passengers going to LuleÄ, but not for those getting off at Boden. #WrigglingIntoWinter
Enough complaining for today: 5:44am is early to my taste, but we finally made it into winter! đ„ł We leave the train to LuleĂ„ at Boden C. For some reason, people travelling further to Kiruna and Narvik have to change to a new train. A great opportunity to take a picture of it, as it arrives from LuleĂ„ without any passengers. #WrigglingIntoWinter
#Boden C is an important junction in northern Sweden. Track 3 even has platforms on both sides. The importance of the station is well represented in the underpass. However, I counted only 26 passenger trains today instead of 30 in 1989 đ I don't know how many freight trains there are... #WrigglingIntoWinter
En frÄga till svenskarna: Varför heter stationen Boden C Àven Central? Det Àr ju den enda stationen i Boden. #WrigglingIntoWinter
#NorrtÄg takes us from Boden C to Haparanda. This regional service runs three times a day and is operated by Regina trains. It is as quiet as every time I have travelled on this line. They even have a bistro on board! If you ever feel the urge for instant macaroni and cheese in Kalix VÀstra, NorrtÄg is well prepared. #WrigglingIntoWinter
Our rail trip ends at đžđȘ Haparanda. #CrossBorderRail to đ«đź Tornio is planned, but somehow delayed. (I cannot find the article right now.) Well, at least, the Finnish screens are ready to show the first departure. #WrigglingIntoWinter
The #Haparanda border station feels like a museum: an abandoned hall and a café, lots of toilets, a spooky TV room... To my surprise, we are not the only travellers waiting to continue their journey. #WrigglingIntoWinter
The border towns of đžđȘ Haparanda and đ«đź Tornio have a local bus service called Ringlinjen. Its lines start at Haparanda railway station. It does not run on public holidays, so there's no need to study the timetable. #WrigglingIntoWinter
We enjoy our walk from the station Haparanda to the Finnish border. It is cold, quiet and slippery. đ #WrigglingIntoWinter
Haparanda, sunrise, 9:51 am. đ This is what I've been looking for. âïž #WrigglingIntoWinter
The đžđȘ Haparanda - đ«đź Tornio bus station is located a 100 metres from the EU's northernmost internal border. Attention, it is also located on the time zone border. It is rather quiet here on Boxing Day. Some people discuss whether it is possible to buy a bus ticket without a mobile phone, switching between Swedish and Finnish. There are buses to Kiruna, LuleĂ„, UmeĂ„, Kemi, Rovaniemi and Oulu. #WrigglingIntoWinter
At the moment, there are only night trains running from Tornio-ItÀinen. So.Tornio does have train connections to other cities in Finland, but towards south only in the late evening and they are fully booked. After a three-hour break, continuing our journey by bus is the best option. #WrigglingIntoWinter
The bus ride from Tornio is uneventful. We bought our ticket online from Matkahuolto. There is no QR code on the ticket, just our names. The driver ticks off our names on his mobile phone. I have never seen such a "system" before.
More and more people get on, especially in Tornio centre and in Kemi. We get off at Oulu bus station, next to the railway station. #WrigglingIntoWinter
More and more people get on, especially in Tornio centre and in Kemi. We get off at Oulu bus station, next to the railway station. #WrigglingIntoWinter
Finally, it is time for my first trip with the Finnish railway #VR. We leave Oulu on an Intercity train and take a three-day break somewhere in the countryside. #WrigglingIntoWinter
Welcome to the resumption of #WrigglingIntoWinter. We have spent a few days in UtajÀrvi (near Oulu). I don't know how typical this Finnish station in the countryside is. It partly fulfilled my idyllic expectations: Three tracks, a narrow platform with a level crossing, a small, open waiting room, one unreadable notice as the only piece of information.
Linguistic excursion: I'm glad I avoided both the living and the living room in our apartment. #WrigglingIntoWinter #LostInTranslation #Finnish #finland
Some days later, we get on the Intercity train in UtajĂ€rvi again. It is - apart from the short ride Oulu-UtajĂ€rvi - my first "real" experience with the đ«đź #VR. #WrigglingIntoWinter
The #VR Intercity journey UtajÀrvi-Helsinki starts with a delay of 25 minutes. It is reduced and compensated three hours later. The train gets fuller up until Kouvola. I am glad having bought a first class #Interrail and having access to Ekstra class, as the Eko class is almost fully booked and we tried to avoid buying rather expensive seat reservations by calling #VR 's hotline. I like the interior of Ekstra with the wooden design elements. #WrigglingIntoWinter
I'm getting a đ± plant-based pie with salad from #VR 's @diningcar. It is possible to order food to your seat using the VR app. However, you cannot use this service while travelling with #Interrail as it is linked to your booking. #WrigglingIntoWinter
Wonderful scenery is rolling past, as snow has covered also southern regions of #Finland. đ #WrigglingIntoWinter
Arriving at #Helsinki /Helsingfors (picture taken on the next day) #WrigglingIntoWinter
Doing some #VR exploratory trips around Helsinki. #WrigglingIntoWinter
Something is confusing me: Why is there a symbol with cancelled tickets? If I didn't know any better, I'd interpret it as a ticket ban (like the other symbols: no alcohol allowed, etc.). Wouldn't it be better to represent the obligation to buy a ticket in advance as, for example, two tickets with an exclamation mark? Also: Why is it dynamic on some trains and takes up valuable space on the displays? Do they still sell tickets on board? Maybe one of you can explain. #WrigglingIntoWinter #Helsinki
Two days later it is time to leave #Helsinki and đ«đź #Finland. We take an Intercity to Turku harbour. There are only a few trains a day, but they are well coordinated with the ferries. Unfortunately #Turku will have to wait until my next visit to Finland.
(I wonder why not all trains at this station can be displayed.) #WrigglingIntoWinter
(I wonder why not all trains at this station can be displayed.) #WrigglingIntoWinter
The ⎠Viking Line ferry to Stockholm leaves Turku already 50 minutes after arrival! However, boarding is only possible 10 minutes before departure. Passengers squeeze into the waiting area behind check-in (not pictured). #WrigglingIntoWinter
As a landlocked Swiss with an (irrational) aversion to boats and ferries, I am shocked by the number of people and the amount of entertainment available on board of what I thought was just a functional ferry for a nine hour long night crossing. The shop has more tills than my medium-sized supermarket at home.
I have to admit that, judging by the number of passengers, I seem to be one of the very few who prefer to enter Finland via Haparanda by đđ. đ #WrigglingIntoWinter
I have to admit that, judging by the number of passengers, I seem to be one of the very few who prefer to enter Finland via Haparanda by đđ. đ #WrigglingIntoWinter
From Stockholm C to Malmö C, #SJ 's SnabbtĂ„g as usual. This time with a delay of 55-65 minutes because the train set had to be exchanged. Meanwhile, snow has turned Southern Sweden into a âïž winter wonderland. #WrigglingIntoWinter
Enjoying my pre-ordered đ± plant-based three-course meal from #SJ 's @diningcar as the #Swedish winter wonderland rolls past. #WrigglingIntoWinter
#ĂresundstĂ„g does perfectly what it is supposed to do: Take us across the Ăresund. #WrigglingIntoWinter
The journey from Copenhagen to Hamburg is chaotic. Due to a technical failure, our #Eurocity 295 is about 25 minutes late and two out of seven carriages are closed. For a short time, the train was even displayed as cancelled. At least #DSB and/or #DB have organised a replacement bus from Kolding to Hamburg for passengers without seats. I haven't been on this bus, but it should arrive in Hamburg at the same time as the train (i.e. 10 minutes delayed). #WrigglingIntoWinter
Reviving Scandinavia's winter wonderlandat Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg to shorten the waiting time (unfortunately, these Northern Lights are the only ones seen on this trip, but for that purpose we should have gone further north) #WrigglingIntoWinter
This information in the DB Navigator app makes me fear another uncomfortable #Nighjet journey. Fortunately I was wrong. The two double-deck carriages are replaced by three single-deck carriages. Most of the compartments are marked with numbers on pieces of paper. The Newrest host open closed compartments for those who don't have one yet. 10 mins after boarding, it seems that everyone has their own compartment. I'm happy to be in a more spacious single-decker compartment. #WrigglingIntoWinter
In the morning, I am woken up by someone shouting "Oh mÀi Gott, Às isch Baasel!" repeatedly ("Oh my God, it's Basel!" in Basel dialect). I feel like joining in the excitement of being home soon. Anyway, calling at Basel means it is time for our #Nightjet breakfast. #WrigglingIntoWinter
Our #Nightjet reaches its final destination ZĂŒrich Main Station just on time. I am happy that this time, my Nighjet experience was even better than expected. #WrigglingIntoWinter has come to an end.
#WrigglingIntoWinter was the most spontaneous trip I have ever made across such a long distance. Even though we had to deal with fully booked trains and accommodation, I am very happy that our idea worked out even at the turn of the year: We were able to visit many places I already knew and liked, as well as three places in đ«đź #Finland. I didn't think it was possible. I don't know when I'll have the chance, but I definitely want to come back. Thank you very much for the interaction! đ
kaspertron@larstransportworld @diningcar
It's crazy how much single use plastic goes into an SJ meal. And they make you eat it out of the same plastic box it was microwaved in.
@kaspertron @diningcar Really?!
Well, the pre-ordered meals (dagens rÀtt) are just salads, so they are not microwaved. But still, there is much plastic waste.
Well, the pre-ordered meals (dagens rÀtt) are just salads, so they are not microwaved. But still, there is much plastic waste.
Le Chep@larstransportworld no tax-free booze shopping by train ?..
Sebastian Wilken@larstransportworld Viele gehen nicht mal in Stockholm von Bord, sondern fahren direkt zurĂŒck. Die 24-Stunden-Kreuzfahrt ist hier eine beliebte FreizeitbeschĂ€ftigung. Es dauert etwas, bis man diese Welt verstanden hat đ
@sebwilken Sind die anderen FĂ€hren nach Schweden (Viking Line ab Helsinki und Silja Line) ebenso auf Unterhaltung ausgelegt?
Norra kommissionen@larstransportworld @sebwilken Silja noch viel mehr, die haben eine richtige Shopping mall an Bord đ
@larstransportworld Die FĂ€hren bĂŒndeln verschiedene VerkehrsbedĂŒrfnisse. Warentransport (schau dir mal an, was in Stockholm an LKWs von Bord geht), normale A-nach-B-Reisen (viele mit Auto) und eben auch Kurzkreuzfahrten.
Wegen Warentransport fahren die Turku-FÀhre *immer*, auch durchgehend wÀhrend der Pandemie. Ob da nun noch ein paar Kreuzfahrer mehr oder weniger drauf sind, fÀllt (ökölogisch) nicht groà ins Gewicht.
Und ja, HkiâStockholm ist noch mehr auf Unterhaltung ausgelegt.
@larstransportworld Ich hab zu den FĂ€hren und ihrer â auch kulturellen â Bedeutung mal einen Thread gemacht.
@sebwilken Danke fĂŒr deine ErlĂ€uterungen. Meine impulsive Frage war wertender formuliert als sie gemeint war. Ich bin zwiegespalten: Einserseits fahre ich auch zu meiner persönlichen Belustigung nach Finnland. Andererseits fĂŒhrt die Unterhaltung zu Mehrbedarf an FlĂ€che an Bord, es waren zwei Decks nur durch Unterhaltung und Verpflegung belegt. Die Artikel waren tlw. als "nachhaltig" gekennzeichnet, was ich angesichts der Anzahl Querungen, die die Produkte hinter sich haben, als zynisch empfinde.
@larstransportworld Das stimmt wohl, aber es ist immer noch besser, das auf einem Schiff zu bĂŒndeln, als eine reine AutofĂ€hre zu haben und dann noch einen âVergnĂŒgungsdampferâ hinterherfahren zu lassen. (Und den Bedarf an VergnĂŒgensfahrten gibt es ja nun mal, ob man das jetzt gut oder schlecht findet.)
@sebwilken Da stimme ich natĂŒrlich zu. Ich war wohl nicht darauf vorbereitet, auf diese andere Welt zu treffen. đ Ich war doch auch auf anderen FĂ€hren, wo der Fokus viel stĂ€rker auf dem Trabsport lag.
Und ich hatte dieses leise GefĂŒhl, dass ich etwas unterstĂŒtze, was bei mir persönlich - als "Binnenstaatler" ohne Kenntnis vor allem der Finnischen Kultur - mindestens auf den ersten Blick groĂe Fragezeichen auslöst. Danke fĂŒr deinen Thread dazu. đ
Und ich hatte dieses leise GefĂŒhl, dass ich etwas unterstĂŒtze, was bei mir persönlich - als "Binnenstaatler" ohne Kenntnis vor allem der Finnischen Kultur - mindestens auf den ersten Blick groĂe Fragezeichen auslöst. Danke fĂŒr deinen Thread dazu. đ
pluhmen@larstransportworld Ja, ich bin Anfang Dezember von Stockholm nach Helsinki gefahren. Den ersten Finnen traf ich in der Sauna, dann hat man sich um das Mikro beim Karaoke gedrÀngt und die Live-Band weiter oben war ziemlich gut...
Now @ zug.network!@larstransportworld It'd be interesting to see what you think of the more spartan Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry. Similar duration, less to do on board.