Thread by @jonworth

Welcome to the thread for Day 2 #CrossBorderRail twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

#CrossBorderRail Train 13
IC 2021 Den Haag C - Utrecht
Ave speed: 98 km/h
Operator: @NS_online

Train type: Koploper
⚡️
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (with ramp, not step free)
📶: ❓ (in any case it’s not working)
🍽: ⛔️

Deserted Den Haag

Today’s route:
Den Haag C - Utrecht
Utrecht - Nijmegen
🚲 to Kleve
Kleve - Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf - Hamburg Altona
Hamburg Altona - Niebüll

(Had to re-plan a bit - have a non #CrossBorderRail work thing I need to do!)

Obligatory windmill pic

Ahhhhhh so good. Den Haag - Utrecht via Gouda. Typical views of Netherlands across the polders. This is a super way to start #CrossBorderRail Day 2!

6 mins change in Utrecht is… sporty. The station is impeccable but because it’s so massive it can be far to walk!

#CrossBorderRail Train 14
IC 3019 Utrecht - Nijmegen
Ave speed: 84 km/h
Operator: @NS_online

Train type: VIRM
⚡️
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (with ramp, not step free)
📶: ✅
🍽: ⛔️

As this is the final NS train on #CrossBorderRail, a few thoughts

The experience with Dutch railways is so very cohesive. All the aspects are thought through. The design, the signs, even the materials in the stations. It feels everything is looked after.

Sure it’s not perfect - I’d like it if some trains were a little faster, and some tracks are a bit bumpy. But there is a sort of predictability about it all. You’re not - like in Lier (BE) yesterday - going to be suddenly left with a hopelessly low platform.

Also the two big stations I’ve been to - Den Haag C and Utrecht - might not be super charming but they *work*. Designed for massive passenger flows.

I had a couple of minutes of delay yesterday, but other than that everything has been on time.

Also re. Interrail: you can use all trains, no reservations or supplements, and a digital Interrail pass opens the gates at stations too. So @ns_online a big 👍 from me.

The CO2 level in the NS VIRM train. The train being only about 25% full probably helps most here tbh

And here’s the border I’m approaching. Arnhem - Emmerich (north side of the Rhine) is fine. There’s even an Arnhem - Düsseldorf regional train. But Kleve is stuck on the German side with no connections either to Nijmegen or even Emmerich!

This missing link has a monument!

Danke @DaKrys für die Diskussion am Bahnhof Kleve! Jetzt geht’s weiter nach Düsseldorf

#CrossBorderRail Train 15
NWB 75029 Kleve - Düsseldorf Hbf
Ave speed: 62 km/h
Operator: Nord West Bahn

Train type: Lint
⛽️
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (step free but with a gap)
📶: ⛔️
🍽: ⛔️

This Kleve - Düsseldorf train line is mad. There’s a train every 30 mins. But it’s diesel and mostly single track. Having just chatted to some passengers: that causes problems! The trains won’t run July-November for signal upgrade works. But this needs 2 tracks and ⚡️!

Nijmegen - Kleve, the German side

Nijmegen - Kleve, the Dutch side

Hmmm. Getting through the Ruhrgebiet is looking a bit complex! Handy to know what I’ll be facing though.

#CrossBorderRail Train 16
VIA 52250 Krefeld Hbf - Duisburg Hbf
Ave speed: no idea. Hadn’t intended taking it! Will calculate later
Operator: VIAS

Train type: Stadler Flirt
⚡️
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (step free)
📶: ✅
🍽: ⛔️

So the train in my original plan today is cancelled. The one I’d planned to take instead is delayed. But an earlier one - that I couldn’t have normally reached - I now can reach because that too is delayed! DB is having one of those days…

Duisburg Hbf

Not my train today, but these @SiemensMobility built RRX trains are the best regional trains I’ve used in Germany. Very well designed inside.

#CrossBorderRail Train 17
IC 2116 Duisburg Hbf - Hamburg Hbf
Ave speed: 103 km/h
Operator: @db_bahn

Train type: Class 101 locomotive & carriages
⚡️
🚲: ✅ (lots of space!)
🦽: ✅ (with ramp, not step free)
📶: ⛔️ should be wifi but it’s broken
🍽: ✅

Oh and 30 min late…

We’ve been pottering through the north of the Ruhrgebiet. It’s v hot. The air is bad. Ok, it’ll get me faster to Niebüll but it’s not great.

So DB has managed to send this IC I am on from Gelsenkirchen to Münster (Westfalen) via Hamm (Westfalen) and not via Dortmund - racking up more delay - and they have not said a word over the loudspeakers to inform people of the further delay. Good job I have a map!

All of today’s re-planning is now in the map of the #CrossBorderRail project umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossbo…

Sorry @db_bahn but IC 2216 was worst train on #CrossBorderRail yet. Smelly, hot, 50 min late, wifi broken. Poor info about delays. Staff passed through ONCE in 4 hours. I helped an elderly lady with connections from Bremen as there was no one passing by. I’d expect a bit better

I’m reminded of @K1ngdaKa88’s tweets a few weeks ago about handling a big delay caused by damaged overhead wires near Bern. Can you come and give DB some advice, Lukas? ;-)

Grinding to a halt a few metres from Hamburg Hbf. Nice view as ever though…

First #BeerOnTrains of #CrossBorderRail. Fields beside the Marschbahn rolling past outside…

Some Schleswig Holstein wind turbines for @JanAlbrecht

A guy I know who lives near Hamburg calls the Marschbahn Hamburg-Westerland the “Am Arschbahn”. And now I think I know what he means…

But here’s some water from a bridge near Friedrichstadt

Today’s the day of tweetups en route! Super to meet you @lukascph at Husum station! Quick chat while the train waited to leave…

Leaving Husum. Nice views!

Oh this is perfect. Terrace of Hotel Landhafen in Niebüll. I’ve still got some non-#CrossBorderRail work to do, but for the moment I’m enjoying sunshine, fresh air, and birds singing in the trees.

Niebüll when it comes to trains is… a little strange.

Today’s postcards to @AdinaValean & one of the project supporters are on their way!