Oh I had really missed saying this...
But it's once again time for a little rail holiday! 🛤️🚞🧳😎
Starting the voyage with a train southbound... going indeed southbound...
But it's once again time for a little rail holiday! 🛤️🚞🧳😎
Starting the voyage with a train southbound... going indeed southbound...
And here we are, arrived at Charleroi-Sud.
Unfortunately, no more trains for the moment. Modal shift needed.
🚍 🔜 🛫
Unfortunately, no more trains for the moment. Modal shift needed.
🚍 🔜 🛫
Ceci n'est pas un métro
Let's fly away... ✈️
First and only plane of this trip. The rest of the trip will be a rather fun and diverse mix of trains, as I make my way back to Brussels!
First and only plane of this trip. The rest of the trip will be a rather fun and diverse mix of trains, as I make my way back to Brussels!
Benvenuti in Sicilia! 🇮🇹
And after reading that, I guess that some of you, may already imagine what to expect tomorrow...
And after reading that, I guess that some of you, may already imagine what to expect tomorrow...
The Aeroporto Internazionale Falcone e Borsellino di Palermo-Punta Raisi joins Aéroport international d'Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte in the list of airports with epic views from the tarmac!
Arrived at Palermo airport and boarding the Trenitalia Regionale train to Palermo Centrale.
And so begins a perhaps short, but definitely epic rail trip, as I make my way from the western tip of Sicily back to Brussels, the scenic way!
🛤️🇮🇹🌊⛴️🌊🇮🇹🚞🇨🇭🇩🇪
And so begins a perhaps short, but definitely epic rail trip, as I make my way from the western tip of Sicily back to Brussels, the scenic way!
🛤️🇮🇹🌊⛴️🌊🇮🇹🚞🇨🇭🇩🇪
As I arrived at Palermo Centrale look what I found in platform 6
🚃🛌🏻🌜 InterCityNotte Palermo-Rome waiting for departure. Three couchette cars and one sleeping car (with Excelsior compartments!).
And oddly enough for Palermo, this "night train" does actually depart at night 😄
🚃🛌🏻🌜 InterCityNotte Palermo-Rome waiting for departure. Three couchette cars and one sleeping car (with Excelsior compartments!).
And oddly enough for Palermo, this "night train" does actually depart at night 😄
🎥🚃 « Il treno InterCity Notte 1-9-5-8 di Trenitalia per Roma Termini delle ore 20:55 è in partenza dal binario 6 »
A quick night stroll around town, and time for dinner.
Delicious food & drink, as one expects in Sicily.
And off to bed, since I want to explore a bit the city early tomorrow, before the rather early departure of my night train.
Buonanotte!
Delicious food & drink, as one expects in Sicily.
And off to bed, since I want to explore a bit the city early tomorrow, before the rather early departure of my night train.
Buonanotte!
Yesterday was such a day! 😄
The thread continues...
The thread continues...
Early morning walk through Palermo.
As beautiful and chaotic as I expected it to be.
As beautiful and chaotic as I expected it to be.
Cathedral and Norman palace.
A very surprising mix of architectural styles.
A very surprising mix of architectural styles.
Sicilian scenes I
Sicilian scenes II
Barocco 🤌
Quattro Canti
Sicilian mid-morning breakfast. Cannolo siciliano. I cannot stress how delicious this was.
🇮🇹🚞 😏
I guess the transport company of Palermo was kinda lazy when choosing the livery of their trams... 😂
The majestic Palermo Centrale station, with a beautiful vintage charm, acts as a prelude to amazing train journeys.
And it's finally time for one of the highlights of this Palermo 🇮🇹 to Brussels 🇧🇪 train trip.
🚃🛌🏻🌜 InterCity Notte 1964 Palermo - Milan
25 hours to cross the whole of Italy, South to North!
And I must say, it's not so common to board into a night train at ☀️ 12.35pm 😃
🚃🛌🏻🌜 InterCity Notte 1964 Palermo - Milan
25 hours to cross the whole of Italy, South to North!
And I must say, it's not so common to board into a night train at ☀️ 12.35pm 😃
Traveling on "Deluxe class", which is basically sleeping car for everyone else in Europe.
And look at that ⚓ on the technical details of the carriages 🤩
And look at that ⚓ on the technical details of the carriages 🤩
Home for the next 25 hours. In theory the normal travel time of this trip is under 24h, but I guess that there must be some construction going on that will delay us.
Not bad at all!
The only negative aspect: AirCon. Not as good as it should be (or even simply off sometimes 😕)
Not bad at all!
The only negative aspect: AirCon. Not as good as it should be (or even simply off sometimes 😕)
Little souvenir selfie before the departure of this amazing train journey!
Just some minutes after leaving Palermo and we're already by the seaside!
Plan? Just chill and get bored of these views 🤩🛤️🌊
Plan? Just chill and get bored of these views 🤩🛤️🌊
Some pics of inside the train.
Last pic is a "Comfort" (couchette) compartment. The Palermo branch of this ICN (we will merge in Messina with the Siracusa branch) has 4 couchette cars and 1 sleeping car. No seating cars on this train.
Last pic is a "Comfort" (couchette) compartment. The Palermo branch of this ICN (we will merge in Messina with the Siracusa branch) has 4 couchette cars and 1 sleeping car. No seating cars on this train.
Of course, with classic loco-hauled trains, one may just walk to the end of the train and...
🎥🛤️🌊
🎥🛤️🌊
The Palermo to Messina railway line 😍
This is too beautiful 🤩
🛤️⛱️🌊
🛤️⛱️🌊
Barcelona Sants, Barcelona França, Barcelona Sagrera... and err I guess Barcellona FS ?
Arrived at Messina Centrale, where the trip is about to become really interesting...
The Siracusa branch of the train arrives spot on time and joins her sister at Messina Centrale.
And now the shunting begins, LOTS of coupling and uncoupling, back and forward...
And now the shunting begins, LOTS of coupling and uncoupling, back and forward...
So as I mentioned, this is a direct train from Palermo to Milan... and obviously Sicily is and island with not bridge or tunnel to the continent...
So Trenitalia keeps doing what used to be quite a normal thing in Europe...
So Trenitalia keeps doing what used to be quite a normal thing in Europe...
A TRAIN FERRY ! 🚃🛤️⛴️🌊
The train ferry between Messina and Villa San Giovanni is the only remaining train ferry in all of Europe.
The train is split into different sections and shunted inside a special ferry with rail tracks. As simple as that!
The train ferry between Messina and Villa San Giovanni is the only remaining train ferry in all of Europe.
The train is split into different sections and shunted inside a special ferry with rail tracks. As simple as that!
Some more pictures of the procedure and of the carriages on the ferry.
Each section is firmly chained to the ferry itself to avoid any movements.
On the night trains you're allowed to stay inside or to go up to the deck, which you definitely should do for some epics views!
Each section is firmly chained to the ferry itself to avoid any movements.
On the night trains you're allowed to stay inside or to go up to the deck, which you definitely should do for some epics views!
Trains on boats 🇮🇹
🚃⛴️
🚃⛴️
And we're out for the short 25 minute ferry ride between Sicily and the mainland.
On a clear day, the views are just stunning!
On a clear day, the views are just stunning!
Saying Ciao! to Sicilia and Salve! to the mainland with a delicious arancino from the ferry cafeteria.
Do use this cafeteria to grab some warm snacks, since the night train unfortunately has no @_DiningCar
Do use this cafeteria to grab some warm snacks, since the night train unfortunately has no @_DiningCar
In a way, this is still #PicsFromTrains, right? 😄
And the shunting train from the mainland comes in to proceed with the manoeuvres!
And we're out!
The manouvre, back and forward, has to be repeated three times, in order to reattach all the segments of the train together again.
Note the huge manual switch to change the tracks!
And of course we're in Italy, a loud "FUORI!" is the only warning before we move!
The manouvre, back and forward, has to be repeated three times, in order to reattach all the segments of the train together again.
Note the huge manual switch to change the tracks!
And of course we're in Italy, a loud "FUORI!" is the only warning before we move!
The thread continues... although it's kinda difficult to tweet and do sightseeing (and pics for future tweets 😅) at the same time.
Even after all the shunting on both sides and the ferry ride, we enter Villa San Giovanni spot on time. Amazing.
30 minutes is more than enough to get our own two locos coupled at the front for the long trip North.
30 minutes is more than enough to get our own two locos coupled at the front for the long trip North.
📣 Ready to depart!
The views from the train in the mainland are as wonderful as they were in Sicily, since the line follows closely the coastline.
A sunset seen live from my compartment, yes please!
A sunset seen live from my compartment, yes please!
I guess that these are the continental version of the #SlamDoor #SlamDoors on British 🇬🇧 trains 😄
Even if a bit more automatic, still so charmful... and tricky to open for the first time!
Even if a bit more automatic, still so charmful... and tricky to open for the first time!
At 20:30 the guard comes by and offers to put the seats into bed mode.
Night mode ON
Night mode ON
As I mentioned, unfortunately no @_DiningCar on the train, so you should bring some stuff for dinner. I had some bread with ham & cheese.
And as Mr @seatsixtyone says, do bring a little bottle of wine 🍷. It makes it all more civilized (even when drinking from a plastic glass😅)
And as Mr @seatsixtyone says, do bring a little bottle of wine 🍷. It makes it all more civilized (even when drinking from a plastic glass😅)
After sleeping, I wake up to see that the sea is still there, right in front of us
The only "inconvenience" for sleeping of this nighttrain was its high speed. Unlike other night trains which are not "in a hurry", this one has such long route that speeds around 140kmh are common
The only "inconvenience" for sleeping of this nighttrain was its high speed. Unlike other night trains which are not "in a hurry", this one has such long route that speeds around 140kmh are common
🌅 Morning crossing the tunnels of Cinque Terre
This is definitely a place I'm coming back to!
This is definitely a place I'm coming back to!
Breakfast is served! It's OK, the food could be a bit better considering that this is the equivalent of 1st class (I mean, giving a proper pastry would already make a difference). At least coffee is freshly made.
7 days 🥐 is nowhere to be seen 😂😂 @hvondelen @CapotrenoEd
7 days 🥐 is nowhere to be seen 😂😂 @hvondelen @CapotrenoEd
After some hours of crawling up from Genoa to the Po Valley and across it, we finally arrive at Milano Centrale!
And after 25 hours of travel, a ferry crossing, some relatively decent sleep and an unlimited supply of coastline views... here we are at Milano Centrale with just an insignificant 2 minute delay. Not bad at all!
It was my first time at Milano Cle and wow what a station!
It was my first time at Milano Cle and wow what a station!
I had heard a lot about how impressive Milano Centrale is, and they were not overstating it.
This station rightfully enters into the select club of European Rail Cathedrals, along with Budapest Keleti, Antwerpen Centraal or London St Pancras.
This station rightfully enters into the select club of European Rail Cathedrals, along with Budapest Keleti, Antwerpen Centraal or London St Pancras.
Oh I guess that some of my 🇧🇪🇳🇱 followers will recognise the train on the right 😂😂😂
#RetroMetro vibes in Milano.
Quick metro hop and I'm on my way to the centre for a bit of sightseeing 📸
Quick metro hop and I'm on my way to the centre for a bit of sightseeing 📸
Now, that's what I call a metro exit with a view!
Views around the world-famous Piazza del Duomo, Milan 🇮🇹
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, as classy as you may have imagined it.
After a week of busy days at work, it's time to get back to this thread and finish the Twitter report of my Palermo 🇮🇹 to Brussels 🇧🇪 train trip across the Alps 🇨🇭 and through the Rhine 🇩🇪
📸 Some shots of central Milan
Similar to Lisbon, although perhaps less well known as those in Lisbon, the old trams of Milan are a tourist attraction on themselves.
The Class 1500 trams, aka "Ventotto", from 1928 are Europe's oldest trams that still operate in regular service. And there's still +100 of them!
The Class 1500 trams, aka "Ventotto", from 1928 are Europe's oldest trams that still operate in regular service. And there's still +100 of them!
[Little #Belgitude 🇧🇪 pause here]
The Ventottos were exported across Europe. Brussels bought one, which eventually was the basis for the 5000 series of the Brussels tramways, that entered service in the 30s. Note the double bogie, quite modern for the time!
cc @musee_du_tram
The Ventottos were exported across Europe. Brussels bought one, which eventually was the basis for the 5000 series of the Brussels tramways, that entered service in the 30s. Note the double bogie, quite modern for the time!
cc @musee_du_tram
📸🚋 A couple of ventotto trams from 1928, serving on Milan tram line 1, as they cross under the Porta Nuova arches.
#TramsOfEurope #Trams #Tramway
#TramsOfEurope #Trams #Tramway
Retro trams on regular service. It's just too beautiful.
🚋 🇮🇹
🚋 🇮🇹
One last quick video of the Ventottos 🤩
Of course this wouldn't be Milano without a bit of (very) modern architecture.
Some pics of the Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) towers and the skyscrapers near Milano Porta Garibaldi railway station.
Some pics of the Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) towers and the skyscrapers near Milano Porta Garibaldi railway station.
After reading @ChittiMarco's threads I obviously had to, at least, try once the "Passante ferroviaria di Milano", the tunnel which makes the core of the "S-Bahn/Suburban" rail network of Milan. But with double decker trains!
Some pics of the Rete Filoviaria di Milano, the city's trolleybuses 🚎
More pics of the Milano trams. Including some old-school series from the 70s (I think 😅) that still continue in service.
I found quite funny their thin backs, with that narrow window.
I found quite funny their thin backs, with that narrow window.
Camera del Lavoro, Justice Palace (not from Poelaert, so no scaffolding) and Torre Velasca (this one actually yes, covered in scaffolding 😔)
Milano 🚋⛪
Colonne di San Lorenzo, some old Roman columns, next to which someone thought in the early 20th century, that it'd be cool to build a tram line 😄
At least you can take some cool pics.
At least you can take some cool pics.
Medieval and not-so-medieval Porta Ticinese.
And trams, obviously.
And trams, obviously.
Ending the day having dinner on a backstreet local pizzeria recommended by a friend, near the Navigli, the canals of Milan.
🆕 day on the Palermo 🇮🇹 to Brussels 🇧🇪 train trip. Today's destination? The Alps, quite literally. And will go above them, not through them 😎
What a way to start the trip, with a regional train departing from the spectacular Milano Centrale
Unfortunately no #FensterAuf for me
What a way to start the trip, with a regional train departing from the spectacular Milano Centrale
Unfortunately no #FensterAuf for me
Absolutely 🤩 stunning views as our Trenord regional train borders Lake Como. Hardly there's a more scenic way to approach the mighty Alps.
I think that after 30 minutes with these views out of the train window, the only thing that I was missing was James Bond on a speedboat, chasing a supervillain across Lake Como 😄
Arrival at Tirano FS 🇮🇹 station
And across the square we find the Tirano RhB 🇮🇹🇨🇭 station 🤩
The start of the Bernina line of the @rhaetischebahn #FerroviaRetica. About to start a trip across & above the Alps through a railway line, recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site 🚞
And across the square we find the Tirano RhB 🇮🇹🇨🇭 station 🤩
The start of the Bernina line of the @rhaetischebahn #FerroviaRetica. About to start a trip across & above the Alps through a railway line, recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site 🚞
But before boarding the train... there's a place in Tirano that one must check.
In some stretches of the southern end of the Bernina line, the railway shares the road with the general traffic... as we can see here in the pics of Piazza della Basilica in Tirano.
In some stretches of the southern end of the Bernina line, the railway shares the road with the general traffic... as we can see here in the pics of Piazza della Basilica in Tirano.
🛤️🚞 A beautiful @rhaetischebahn Allegra EMU, pulling some old-school coaches, right across the middle of the square as it starts its way up the valley, towards the Bernina Pass and Sankt Moritz. #RhaetischeBahn #FerroviaRetica #ViaferRetica 🇮🇹🇨🇭
📸🚞 And here we see the southbound #BerninaExpress make its final approach towards Tirano RhB station. Once again Allegra EMU, but this time behind her we see the impressive panoramic coaches 🤩
#RhaetischeBahn #FerroviaRetica #ViaferRetica 🇮🇹🚞🇨🇭
#RhaetischeBahn #FerroviaRetica #ViaferRetica 🇮🇹🚞🇨🇭
📸🚞 Northbound #BerninaExpress as it leaves Tirano right through the middle of the town square.
This time it's a couple of retro @rhaetischebahn ABe 4/4 III locos from the late 80s pulling the train.
This time it's a couple of retro @rhaetischebahn ABe 4/4 III locos from the late 80s pulling the train.
The joy of #FensterAuf 🌬️ on a beautiful summer day ☀️ at the Bernina Line of the @rhaetischebahn, thanks to the old-school Einheitswagen coaches with open windows.
Right next to the square we find this reminder of the UNESCO world heritage status of the Bernina Railway.
The RhB climbs from 429m at Tirano, up to 2253m at Ospizio Bernina, the summit of the line. This is highest railway pass in all of Europe! and without using a rack railway!
The RhB climbs from 429m at Tirano, up to 2253m at Ospizio Bernina, the summit of the line. This is highest railway pass in all of Europe! and without using a rack railway!
Very, very, swiss 🇨🇭 railway signs 😄
(and yes, this is obviously still Italy, but this is Swiss signaling used at the RhB network)
(and yes, this is obviously still Italy, but this is Swiss signaling used at the RhB network)
📣 Time to depart on PE 952 Tirano 🇮🇹 - Chur 🇨🇭 (direct). But still time for a quick souvenir selfie 😀
Panoramawagen at the back and Allegra EMU at the front pulling the train.
And the Alps in front of us.
Panoramawagen at the back and Allegra EMU at the front pulling the train.
And the Alps in front of us.
Some views of the inside of the train. First three pics are of the Allegra EMU (standard fare), 2nd and 1st class, both with #FensterAuf, and 1st class with amazing views of the driver's cab.
Last pic is the panoramic coach. You need to pay a supplement and windows don't open 😒
Last pic is the panoramic coach. You need to pay a supplement and windows don't open 😒
Time for two technical notes:
1️⃣ For my not-so-nerdy followers, maybe you haven't noted, but this little red train runs on narrow gauge tracks. The distance between tracks is 1000mm instead of the standard 1435mm.
The narrower track makes designing a mountain route much easier.
1️⃣ For my not-so-nerdy followers, maybe you haven't noted, but this little red train runs on narrow gauge tracks. The distance between tracks is 1000mm instead of the standard 1435mm.
The narrower track makes designing a mountain route much easier.
2️⃣ Regarding ticketing. Once again I must thank @seatsixtyone. It was through his website that I discovered that the Rhaetische Bahn may be booked through Deutsche Bahn's website, getting some super cheap international tickets. [Follows ⬇️]
In my case I booked a ticket from Poschiavo 🇨🇭 - still south of the Alps - all the way up to Brussels 🇧🇪 ‼️ (including a 12h stopover at Basel to have a proper sleep) for… 67,50 €
And that includes ALL trains
I have no idea how this makes any sense… but it's completely real!
And that includes ALL trains
I have no idea how this makes any sense… but it's completely real!
For the record, RhB's fare for a Tirano - Chur trip bought on spot is around 60 €. With the DB Super Sparpreis EU ticket, for 7,50 € more I'm going all the way up to Belgium and traveling for another full day! Crazy 😄
Also funny that they still call it Sparpreis EU in 🇨🇭 😂
Also funny that they still call it Sparpreis EU in 🇨🇭 😂
Also thanks @eliasvandeun for his extra tip: DB can sell you cheap tickets from BE, DE… to Tirano, but they're only sent-by-post paper ticket
However, if you book to Poschiavo, the system works for print-at-home e-ticket. And then you simply buy the Tir-Pos ticket on spot (9€)
However, if you book to Poschiavo, the system works for print-at-home e-ticket. And then you simply buy the Tir-Pos ticket on spot (9€)
And since it's quite late... I will try to continue tomorrow the thread with pics of the epic #BerninaBahn
Buonanotte! Gute Nacht! Buna not!
Buonanotte! Gute Nacht! Buna not!
And here I am back at the thread 😃
After all that suspense... It's time for departure of @rhaetischebahn PE 952 across the Alps to Chur! 🚞🇨🇭
Street running through Tirano.
This time the view from the train 😄
This time the view from the train 😄
🇨🇭 Benvenuti in Svizzera!
🇨🇭 Willkommen in der Schweiz!
🇨🇭 Bainvegni en Svizra!
Swiss border and customs office at Campocologno station, just 3 kms away from the start of the line in Tirano 🇮🇹
Our express train just slowly passes through, without any stops or checks.
🇨🇭 Willkommen in der Schweiz!
🇨🇭 Bainvegni en Svizra!
Swiss border and customs office at Campocologno station, just 3 kms away from the start of the line in Tirano 🇮🇹
Our express train just slowly passes through, without any stops or checks.
Slowly but surely, we begin to climb through the lower part of the Val Poschiavo valley.
And just some minutes after the departure, we arrive at the first highlight of the Bernina railway:
Brusio spiral viaduct
A wonder of alpine railway engineering, that allowed to keep the gradient of the railway under 7% and therefore, avoid the need for a rack system.
Brusio spiral viaduct
A wonder of alpine railway engineering, that allowed to keep the gradient of the railway under 7% and therefore, avoid the need for a rack system.
🚞🇨🇭📽️ Brusio spiral viaduct, seen from the #FensterAuf of a @rhaetischebahn Allegra unit.
The relative speed that is kept, considering the curve and gradient, is just stunning.
Up up up!
The relative speed that is kept, considering the curve and gradient, is just stunning.
Up up up!
As with every single line railway, but specially in the Bernina with its high service frequency, there are lots of stations with 2 tracks for trains to meet and cross each other, as seen here at Brusio station
Swiss timetabling & punctuality make these waits rarely over 1/2 mins
Swiss timetabling & punctuality make these waits rarely over 1/2 mins
🚉 Miralago
Some absolutely stunning views of the Lago di Poschiavo from Miralago station.
And some more pics as the little red train borders the alpine lake and continues its ascent.
We're already at 962m. That's +533m climbed in less than 30 minutes !
Some absolutely stunning views of the Lago di Poschiavo from Miralago station.
And some more pics as the little red train borders the alpine lake and continues its ascent.
We're already at 962m. That's +533m climbed in less than 30 minutes !
Lago di Poschiavo seen from the Bernina Express 🤩
Early arrival into Poschiavo, meant enough time to get out and take some pics of retro and even-more-retro locos.
Then I even had time to have a chat with the driver (I was the only passenger in that coach 😅), who very kindly let me take a pic of the cab. Merci vilmal! 🙂
Then I even had time to have a chat with the driver (I was the only passenger in that coach 😅), who very kindly let me take a pic of the cab. Merci vilmal! 🙂
After leaving Poschiavo, we seriously start climbing at an incredible speed.
The Bernina railway is the only alpine railway that literally reaches the top of the pass, instead of tunneling through the mountain. So there are lots of curves and zigzags, in order to keep ascending.
The Bernina railway is the only alpine railway that literally reaches the top of the pass, instead of tunneling through the mountain. So there are lots of curves and zigzags, in order to keep ascending.
🚉 Cavaglia
Around one hour after departure and we're already at an altitude of 1,692 m at Cavaglia station. But wait… since this is not even the station with the most scenic background…
Around one hour after departure and we're already at an altitude of 1,692 m at Cavaglia station. But wait… since this is not even the station with the most scenic background…
[Little linguistic sidenote here]
I mentioned a chat with the driver at Poschiavo. I still don't know how that even worked out
My very, very rusty standard German 🇩🇪 combined with his thick Schwizerdütsch 🇨🇭 from the mountains… and we even managed to understand each other 😄
I mentioned a chat with the driver at Poschiavo. I still don't know how that even worked out
My very, very rusty standard German 🇩🇪 combined with his thick Schwizerdütsch 🇨🇭 from the mountains… and we even managed to understand each other 😄
🤩🚞🏞️🏔️
Some final views of Val Poschiavo, as we continue climbing up the Bernina Pass.
Some final views of Val Poschiavo, as we continue climbing up the Bernina Pass.
Yeah, this is #ViewsFromTrains
¿How many railway station in Europe get direct views over a glacier?
🚉 Alp Grüm 🇨🇭 is part of that select club of stations.
At an elevation of 2,091m , the station gets direct views of the Palü Glacier across the valley. This much beauty cannot be condensed into 240 characters
🚉 Alp Grüm 🇨🇭 is part of that select club of stations.
At an elevation of 2,091m , the station gets direct views of the Palü Glacier across the valley. This much beauty cannot be condensed into 240 characters
🏔️ And after lots of curves and impressive gradients we reach the summit!
2,253 meters above sea level, the highest railway crossing in Europe.
We know run around Lago Bianco, the last waters that we will see that flow South to the Adriatic.
2,253 meters above sea level, the highest railway crossing in Europe.
We know run around Lago Bianco, the last waters that we will see that flow South to the Adriatic.
Lago Bianco and the surrounding mountain peaks, still with a nice amount of snow in June.
You could feel how high we were as soon as I opened the window 🥶
You could feel how high we were as soon as I opened the window 🥶
🚉 Ospizio Bernina - the highest point of the Bernina Railway
It's still mind-blowing to think that this station, right in the middle of the Alps, 2,253 meters above sea level, gets an hourly service in each direction, daily. Summer and winter
Congratulations @rhaetischebahn 👏
It's still mind-blowing to think that this station, right in the middle of the Alps, 2,253 meters above sea level, gets an hourly service in each direction, daily. Summer and winter
Congratulations @rhaetischebahn 👏
And after passing Lago Bianco, we begin the descent through Val Bernina towards the Engadin.
Waters here flow towards the Inn, and eventually towards the Danube, so may I say, Willkommen in Mitteleuropa!
Waters here flow towards the Inn, and eventually towards the Danube, so may I say, Willkommen in Mitteleuropa!
To be continued... 🚞🇨🇭
The trip continues down Val Bernina with endless views of stunning mountains all around.
The line is single track, but the timetabling is perfect. We don't wait more than 1 or 2 minutes for the crossing train to arrive. 👌🏼⏱️🇨🇭
We continue down towards Pontresina.
At Surovas we see one of the most cute Swiss railways stations.
At Surovas we see one of the most cute Swiss railways stations.
Almost all trains on the Bernina line continue from Pontresina to St Moritz. However, since we're in a PE Express to Chur, we branch off directly towards Samedan.
We also get some views of Samedan airport, the highest in Europe at 1,707 meters above sea level!
We also get some views of Samedan airport, the highest in Europe at 1,707 meters above sea level!
We're not any more in the Bernina line (which ends in St Moritz), but rather on the Albula line, which will leads us all the way down to Chur. This line is also UNESCO listed.
🚇🚦 Here we wait for a clear track, as another train is crossing the 5,865 meter long Albula tunnel.
🚇🚦 Here we wait for a clear track, as another train is crossing the 5,865 meter long Albula tunnel.
The section between Preda and Bergün is a masterpiece of railway engineering. The railway climbs/descends 417 m on a distance of 6,5 km as the crow flies.
Lots of spiral tunnels and viaducts allow for the railway to climb such an impressive height! (see first pic)
Lots of spiral tunnels and viaducts allow for the railway to climb such an impressive height! (see first pic)
Tunnels and viaducts. Again and again and again 😄
After already being some hours surrounded by the most pure alpine scenery, I think that at some point I will end up seeing Heidi and Peter running down some fields 😄
If you look closely, you will see that some stations in the Albula line have signs written in Romansh.
We cross through some of the valleys where Romansh is still spoken. It is one of the 4 official languages of 🇨🇭, even if unfortunately, there are only around 40k speakers left.
We cross through some of the valleys where Romansh is still spoken. It is one of the 4 official languages of 🇨🇭, even if unfortunately, there are only around 40k speakers left.
And shortly after departure from Filisur station, we cross one of the most impressive sights of the line:
🎥 LANDWASSER VIADUCT
A curved viaduct where the train exits from a tunnel in the middle of a cliff right into the viaduct. And surrounded by the Alps. Magnificent.
🎥 LANDWASSER VIADUCT
A curved viaduct where the train exits from a tunnel in the middle of a cliff right into the viaduct. And surrounded by the Alps. Magnificent.
📸 Some more pics of the Landwasser viaduct.
It's just difficult to assimilate all this epicness from a moving train. But it's just impressive.
It's just difficult to assimilate all this epicness from a moving train. But it's just impressive.
You don't really notice it from the train... but the Solis viaduct is the tallest in all the @rhaetischebahn network.
It stands 86 meters above the Albula river gorge.
And crossing the Solis viaduct, ends the (most) scenic part of the Tirano - Chur route.
It stands 86 meters above the Albula river gorge.
And crossing the Solis viaduct, ends the (most) scenic part of the Tirano - Chur route.
In Thusis we reach the Rhine valley, and shortly after we reach Chur - end of the line.
🚞 In 4 hours we climb from 429 m in 🇮🇹, up to 2,253 m in Ospizio Bernina, and now down to 584 m in Chur 🇨🇭 while crossing dozens of viaducts, bridges and tunnels.
Amazing @rhaetischebahn 🤩
🚞 In 4 hours we climb from 429 m in 🇮🇹, up to 2,253 m in Ospizio Bernina, and now down to 584 m in Chur 🇨🇭 while crossing dozens of viaducts, bridges and tunnels.
Amazing @rhaetischebahn 🤩
Little walk around Chur station as I wait for my next train.
Note that those tracks are not of a tram, but rather the starting point of the Arosabahn of RhB (obviously I'll be back😄)
Also, some cool maps of the trilingual Canton Graubünden/Grischun/Grigioni (Grisons) and of 🇨🇭
Note that those tracks are not of a tram, but rather the starting point of the Arosabahn of RhB (obviously I'll be back😄)
Also, some cool maps of the trilingual Canton Graubünden/Grischun/Grigioni (Grisons) and of 🇨🇭
Some last pics of the Rhätische Bahn / Ferrovia Retica / Viafer Retica in Chur.
Note that the narrow gauge (RhB) and standard gauge (SBB) services use the same station. Just separate platforms. Efficient!
Note that the narrow gauge (RhB) and standard gauge (SBB) services use the same station. Just separate platforms. Efficient!
Auf Wiedersehen @rhaetischebahn 👋🏼👋🏼
It's 2021 and we still use these little papers to mark reserved seats 😄
And what's worse, there's a poor railwayman/woman who has to manually put and remove all of them daily 😅
And what's worse, there's a poor railwayman/woman who has to manually put and remove all of them daily 😅
Rolling down to Zürich 👌🏼
🇨🇭🛤️🗺️📕
🇨🇭🛤️🗺️📕
Lakes and railways.
Pure Switzerland 🇨🇭
Pure Switzerland 🇨🇭
Arrival at Zürich HB
There's a scheduled stop of 12 minutes. More than enough time for the driver to change 🔀 cabs, since Zürich HB is (for most tracks) a terminus station.
There's a scheduled stop of 12 minutes. More than enough time for the driver to change 🔀 cabs, since Zürich HB is (for most tracks) a terminus station.
🌇 Sunset at Zürich HB
Some pics of the inside of a 2nd class car of the IC2000 trainset.
These are pulled/pushed by the Re460 loco.
Combined, this train is probably one of the icons of the SBB-CFF-FFS Schweizerische Bundesbahnen - Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses - Ferrovie federali svizzere 🚞🇨🇭
These are pulled/pushed by the Re460 loco.
Combined, this train is probably one of the icons of the SBB-CFF-FFS Schweizerische Bundesbahnen - Chemins de fer fédéraux suisses - Ferrovie federali svizzere 🚞🇨🇭
Arrival into Basel SBB station and it was time to meet in person a fellow train travel geek 🤓🚞 from twitter. An excellent excuse to share some rail stories while having dinner.
See you again some time soon @AufGleis13!
See you again some time soon @AufGleis13!
https://twitter.com/AufGleis13/status/1403836404325625863?s=19
After sleeping at a German hotel (not only cheaper, but also to make my travel through Switzerland an allowed durchreise/transit - in case I'd ever get checked... which I wasn't), breakfast with views over the Rhine and France.
A very @BastonBorders kind of place.
A very @BastonBorders kind of place.
A tram stop, literally, at the border? Why not...
Weil am Rhein, Germany / Basel, Switzerland
The magic of Schengen 🇪🇺🇨🇭
Weil am Rhein, Germany / Basel, Switzerland
The magic of Schengen 🇪🇺🇨🇭
Express sightseeing of Basel from the rear window of the tram, on my way to the train station.
Trams, bikes and pedestrians seem to meet rather well at Centralbahnplatz Basel.
This is basically the kind of urbanism that we need more of.
This is basically the kind of urbanism that we need more of.
And this? Nothing strange I guess... Just Swiss people queueing to vote on a referendum. Normal stuff. 🇨🇭🗳️
Basel SBB, a rather elegant station to begin the last leg of my Palermo 🇮🇹 to Brussels 🇧🇪 rail 🛤️ trip!
And on to a "proper" train...
And on to a "proper" train...
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is a proper train. A proper European train.
SBB EC8 Zürich HB - Hamburg-Altona
3 first class cars (including a panoramic car), one @_DiningCar and 8 second class cars. Elegant and incredibly comfortable.
European railways at their best 👌🏼🇪🇺🚞
SBB EC8 Zürich HB - Hamburg-Altona
3 first class cars (including a panoramic car), one @_DiningCar and 8 second class cars. Elegant and incredibly comfortable.
European railways at their best 👌🏼🇪🇺🚞
Up north and across the Rhine on EC 8 Zürich - Hamburg.
I will ride it from Basel to Köln.
I cannot stress how good these trains are. Comfortable, spacious, plugs, all seats matching the windows... 👌🏼
I will ride it from Basel to Köln.
I cannot stress how good these trains are. Comfortable, spacious, plugs, all seats matching the windows... 👌🏼
The upper Rhine valley is rather uneventful...
Ceci n'est pas un Straßenbahn
The town of Bingen marks the start of the scenic Middle Rhine.
Suddenly a train trip through landlocked Europe acquires a rather maritime touch.
Suddenly a train trip through landlocked Europe acquires a rather maritime touch.
Trains 🚞
Boats ⛴️
Castles 🏰
The beauty of the Rhine Left bank Railway, through Western Germany 🇩🇪
Boats ⛴️
Castles 🏰
The beauty of the Rhine Left bank Railway, through Western Germany 🇩🇪
🏞️🛤️ 🤩🤩
Linke Rheinstrecke from the last car of EC 8
Linke Rheinstrecke from the last car of EC 8
True, the high speed line up the hills will get you to Köln quicker... but you'll be missing all this beautiful scenery down from the Rhine valley.
📸🏞️🛤️ Last shots of the Linke Rheinstrecke.
And obviously it is worth mentioning that EC 8 carries a panoramic car accesible to any 1st class passenger (@seatsixtyone's site will explain you how to book it). Highly recommended, even if this time I went for 2nd class.
And obviously it is worth mentioning that EC 8 carries a panoramic car accesible to any 1st class passenger (@seatsixtyone's site will explain you how to book it). Highly recommended, even if this time I went for 2nd class.
Auf Wiedersehen EC8 👋🏼👋🏼
This can only mean one thing...
Changing 🔀 trains!
Changing 🔀 trains!
Railway hieroglyphics at Köln Hbf
An ICE direct from Köln to Brussels would be the easy choice... but this trip was not about the "quick" or "easy" routes 😄
Arrived at Aachen Hbf after a quick and comfortable RegionalExpress ride.
Aaachen Hbf is quite an international station. It gets local & high speed trains to 🇧🇪, 🇳🇱 and even 🇫🇷.
Diversity of destinations fits the diversity of names: Aachen, Aken, Aix-la-Chapelle, Aquisgrán...
Aaachen Hbf is quite an international station. It gets local & high speed trains to 🇧🇪, 🇳🇱 and even 🇫🇷.
Diversity of destinations fits the diversity of names: Aachen, Aken, Aix-la-Chapelle, Aquisgrán...
As I wait for my connecting train, I get to see two of the three international relations express trains that link 🇧🇪 and 🇩🇪 through Aachen.
The ICE and Thalys look good, but wait to see my international express train across the border... ⬇️
The ICE and Thalys look good, but wait to see my international express train across the border... ⬇️
And here it is! The euregioAIXpress in all its glory
And by all its glory, I obviously mean the +50 years of service of this old-school AM Classique of the Belgian Railways, built in the late 60s
Somehow this is still the only local train & only rolling stock between 🇧🇪 and 🇩🇪
And by all its glory, I obviously mean the +50 years of service of this old-school AM Classique of the Belgian Railways, built in the late 60s
Somehow this is still the only local train & only rolling stock between 🇧🇪 and 🇩🇪
Bienvenue en Belgique! 🇧🇪
Actually, entering Belgium on these 54 year old trains is proper #Belgitude.
And with direct views of the DB [ends] - SNCB [starts] signs on the trackside 😄 and even little #FensterAuf !
We'll miss them so much once they're gone soon... 😪
Actually, entering Belgium on these 54 year old trains is proper #Belgitude.
And with direct views of the DB [ends] - SNCB [starts] signs on the trackside 😄 and even little #FensterAuf !
We'll miss them so much once they're gone soon... 😪
And unless your final destination is Spa, since this is a local train, you must change at Welkenraedt
Here the long 12 carriage express train from Eupen joins the mainline, towards Liège, Brussels and Oostende
At least, a good timetabled connection makes the wait just 5 minutes
Here the long 12 carriage express train from Eupen joins the mainline, towards Liège, Brussels and Oostende
At least, a good timetabled connection makes the wait just 5 minutes
And here it is! My LAST train of the trip!
IC 542 to Oostende.
A quirky mix of carriages, but those at the end are I11 cars. Also quite a comfortable train to enjoy the beautiful ride through the classic line to Liège via Verviers. And then 200km/h to Brussels! Arrival in 1h34
IC 542 to Oostende.
A quirky mix of carriages, but those at the end are I11 cars. Also quite a comfortable train to enjoy the beautiful ride through the classic line to Liège via Verviers. And then 200km/h to Brussels! Arrival in 1h34
After 4 days of intense train traveling, one island, a ferry ride, a night train, lots of cool trams, the most epic railway line in Europe, a classic EuroCity…
🇮🇹🇨🇭🇩🇪🇧🇪 arrived in Brussels! Thanks for following my trip report 😀
🚞 Now get on a train and explore our continent!
🇮🇹🇨🇭🇩🇪🇧🇪 arrived in Brussels! Thanks for following my trip report 😀
🚞 Now get on a train and explore our continent!
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