lars' transport worldAug 13, 2025
Some days, 🚅, 🚂, 🚌, ⛴️, two switch failures (🇧🇪), fully booked trains with mandatory seat reservations (🇳🇱->🇩🇪), a lack of alternatives due to construction works and compatible rolling stock (🇳🇱->🇩🇪) later, #BlankSpots continues in northern 🇩🇪 Germany.
Show threadlars' transport worldAug 13, 2025
My 238th obligatory Antwerp main station appreciation post 😍 #BlankSpots
Show threadlars' transport worldAug 13, 2025
Lars at a train station so early in the morning... That means it's going to be an eventful day. 👀 #BlankSpots
Show threadlars' transport worldAug 13, 2025
The Kiel-Flensburg line provides a curiosity. Due to the construction of a new bridge across the Schlei and the poor condition of the old one, the Schlei can only be crossed on foot. The train line isndisrupted and has two terminus station on both ends of the bridge: "Rieseby Schleibrücke Süd" and "Boren-Lindaunis Schleibrücke Nord". This may be inconvenient for locals, but is randomly interesting to me. #BlankSpots
Show threadlars' transport worldAug 13, 2025
The advantage of this route is that I can change to the IC 🇩🇪 Flensburg - 🇩🇰 Fredericia, which doesn't require a seat reservation. Otherwise I would habe ended in the often crowded EuroCity Hamburg-Copenhagen. But more importantly, it is a DSB MF/IC3 also known as 'rubber nose', which is one of the most cozy train I have ever been on! #BlankSpots
Show threadlars' transport worldAug 13, 2025
Tog er fantastiske! 😍
(Trains are fantastic!) #BlankSpots
Show threadlars' transport worldAug 16, 2025
In Fredericia, I finally spot an DSB IC4 train running in the right direction. Two minutes later, I board this regional train to Odense.
The IC4 were manufactured by Ansaldo-Breda between 2005 and 2013. However, the train is considered deficient and the delivery was late. The trains are going to be replaced by the also delayed IC5. #BlankSpots
Show threadlars' transport worldAug 16, 2025
It was completely unnecessary to hunt after an IC4, since my next train was going to be an IC4 anyway. 🥴 I am surprised, though. Is it usual for the IC Fredericia-Østerport to be an IC4? Or might the temporary timetable due to construction works be the reason? I have never seen one before on this line before and it could be replaced by an electric train. #BlankSpots
Show threadlars' transport worldAug 16, 2025
I get off the IC4 at Slagelse. Unlike the regions I have just visited (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪), I have passed through 🇩🇰 Denmark many times before. To stick to #BlankSpots, I have to try some new lines like at least. I choose the Lokaltog Slagelse-Tølløse and it's a jackpot: A Lokaltog IC2, another type of 'rubber nose train'!
Show threadlars' transport worldAug 16, 2025
The trio of rubber noses would be incomplete without the IR4, the electric version of the IC2/IC4. I take the Regionaltog from Tølløse to Copenhagen H. This train is cosy as well, but the floor is a little bit filthy and smelly. #BlankSpots
Show threadMichael Niki Knopp 🇪🇺 🐜 🏳️‍🌈Aug 16, 2025
@larstransportworld why this rubber nose? Is it functionally or just a design thing?
Show threadPepijn

@mcnknopp It's so it looks like a worm.

Oh, and to easily connect multiple ones. The window inside the rubber is actually an entire driver unit. It swivels out of the way to create a corridor: https://mastodon.online/@Pepijn/110745124929906800

@larstransportworld

Pepijn (@[email protected])

Attached: 2 images Some photos for passenger #train enthusiasts :-) The #danish IC3 and electric IR4 trains have an design where multiple units can be connected into one fully walkable tube worm. For this the entire front of a train, including driver controls, can swivel into a wall. Like many components the front is a fully modular unit. Here's a unit that was in a fire. Before and after photo. Rest of the train took a bit more work but it was also fully restored :-) Yellow structure is a transport frame.

Mastodon
Aug 16, 2025 at 9:00amWeb
Show threadMichael Niki Knopp 🇪🇺 🐜 🏳️‍🌈Aug 16, 2025
@Pepijn @larstransportworld cool, thanks!