Mastodawn

Having set out a couple of weeks ago to visit România I ended up spending only two nights there, and one of those was on a train. Good times, though, (if a bit of a whirlwind) with six new countries visited: Serbia, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Turkey, Moldova.

Now for quite a slog of a journey... Timișoara to the Matarranya. Ten or eleven trains, including back-to-back sleepers, plus a bus or two at the end. 🤠

I'M ON THE TRANE

First up, Timișoara to Arad. Somewhat vertiginous climb up to board. #DuttyDiesel

One of the new platforms under construction on the line between Timișoara and Arad - at Baile Calcea.

At Ortișoara the new line goes right through the existing station building.

The new line is going to be transformational. According to my reservation slip it's 57km from Timișoara to Arad. This service takes ninety minutes to cover that. The future? 160km/h. In the words of Cucumber Man (where is he now?)... WHOOOSH!

At Arad the old station building has been retrofitted with a large overbridge added.

As with a few other Romanian stations, there's a kettle outside.

There's a waiting area upstairs which is new but the seats aren't.

The departure board lists my next train (to Budapest) only as far as Lokoshaza, the first station over the border with Hungary. #CrossBorderRail

Keep on thinking of Ron Arad

I'M ON ANOTHER TRANE

Border check at Curtici, the last station România. I asked the guard why we were looking at our papers now they are in Schengen - "Random check." #CrossBorderRail

There's an hour's wait once over the border. Hangover from the days when România wasn't in Schengen? Padding to ensure the train gets its slot through to Budapest? I don't remember waiting this long a couple of years ago when travelling from Oradea to Vienna. #CrossBorderRail

Arrival in Budapest and Keleti is looking spectacular after dark.

Have also added a pic of the loco that brought us here for @moof and fellow fans, having discovered it was a Vectron.

We shall draw a veil of good taste over the fact that I somehow booked the reservation for my next train, the sleeper to Stuttgart, from Vienna rather than Budapest. 🙄

I called the excellent OBB helpline this morning on realising my error and was told to board in Budapest anyway. I am, however, in a seat rather than my bed... for now.

I'M IN BED

Got a compartment to myself (a run of three out of three now) ✔️🎉💃

Good night!

Urgh! 4.30am passport check... with knocks on the door that would wake even the dead and which you can hear all down the carriage.

Aren't we in Schengen? "Yes, but that doesn't mean the police isn't allowed to control." #CrossBorderRail #SecurityTheatre

Good morning from Germany

I'M ON ANOTHER TRANE

Even though we were late into Stuttgart it looks like I could have made the direct service to Paris, which was itself late. That would have connected with the afternoon service to Barcelona but what fun is it turning up at your friends' house at 10pm when they have to get up at 6am the following day? Am happy with my decision to head to Strasbourg in a leisurely fashion.

I started this #Interrail pass in Karlsruhe six weeks ago on my way home from #TramWM. Little did I know I'd be back here so soon, this time on the outer reaches.

First double deckah action of the day.

Last train of the first leg, as it were - a busy TWO-CARRIAGE #DuttyDiesel from Offenburg to Strasbourg. There is a gap in the plan for lunch there.

All the seats on this train feature a new (to me) phenomenon. The Oblique #Kaydo @kaydo

Martin Hoffmann Oct 28

@tops @kaydo These things are (sometimes) called “Fahrendes Fachwerkhaus” (travelling half-timbered house) for a reason.

@partim @kaydo mock Tudor!