Thread by @jonworth

twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

#CrossBorderRail Train 31
10/330 Tallinn - Valga
Ave speed: 87 km/h
Operator: Elron

Train type: Stadler DMU
⛽️
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (step free)
📶: ✅
🍽: ⛔️

Pic of the small meet-up yesterday evening in Tallinn with @AnTyxEE @krstiinarandmaa @larsvr06 and @ronpatz taking the photo

I somehow forgot it at start of the thread - today is #CrossBorderRail Day 8

Tallinn 🇪🇪 - Valga 🇪🇪
Valga 🇪🇪 - Riga 🇱🇻

The train to Valga is good. Rail in Estonia fixed what could swiftly be fixed - new trains and renovated stations. What comes next - faster lines - is harder

The stations in Estonia are all renovated to a standardised design. In Peedu (population: 52) there’s a wonderful old hut behind as well. Step free access as well. This is really well done.

Valga

And outside Valga station… the Riga-St Petersburg bus

And please note: I am NOT going to St Petersburg! From Valga I have a train onwards to Riga this afternoon.

My setup for my presentation to #OVCongres shortly 🙂

Slight problem: once in a while a freight locomotive trundles past… Shouldn’t be *too* noisy I hope. Seeing American locomotives operating in Estonia is a little strange, but if it works, why not?

And a recap why I am stuck in Valga, the 🇪🇪🇱🇻 border station…

Trains 🇪🇪➡️🇱🇻

A train from Tallinn arrives in Valga (15:26) 23 mins after the Riga train departs (15:03). So you have to arrive at 11:23 instead… Waiting time: 3 hours 40 mins

Trains 🇱🇻➡️🇪🇪

A train from Riga arrives in Valga (13:42) 45 mins after the train to Tallinn departs (12:57) - so instead passengers have to wait until 17:58… Waiting time: 3 hours 56 mins

And there is *no* operational problem here in Valga - there are 2 platforms, plenty of space for trains from both directions to stop, and no other services…

When I talk about the timetable problems of #CrossBorderRail this is what I mean!

How to do a webinar like a pro, Valga station version! (Spot where the laptop is) #OVCongres

Well this is precise

Cross border alcohol discounts FTW!

Kvas FTW

Ok. This is next.

My route back into Estonia having crossed over to Latvia to go to the post office. As you do…

I think @AdinaValean is going to get lucky though. The postcards need 5 stamps. There’ll be no room on the back to diagnose the problems of EU railways! 🙂

Abandoned line, edge of Valka

This used to be a border but now I think they’re building a cycle path. So it’s closed

Meat. Before buying your alcohol

#CrossBorderRail Train 32
871 Valga - Riga
Ave speed: 62 km/h
Operator: Pasažieru Vilciens

Train type: DR1AM
⛽️
🚲: ✅ (enough space, but v high steps)
🦽: ⛔️
📶: ❓(supposed to be but can’t get it working)
🍽: ⛔️

It’s taken me half the trip to get the stamps stuck on the postcards 🙂

Valmiera

Departing Cēsis on the DR1AM

And today’s #CrossBorderRail oddity: the start of the Sigulda 🇱🇻 bobsleigh run!

As @vorortanleiter would say: #Breitspurland

A few more pics from the day. This is Valga-Valka - as a pedestrian or driving a car you can switch from one side to the other very easily. Everything feels integrated

Valga station is quite grand, although you cannot access the waiting hall. A bridge over the lines allows excellent photographs

Riga is wonderful, but not the most bike friendly. And the traffic is fast and aggressive. And it’d be an ideal city for bikes! Bonus tram pic for @moritzkraehe here too

And finally some of the people who came along to the meet-up here in Riga. Special thanks to @briedisunrepshe (front row next to me) - he’s helped me so much over the years, and it was super to meet you in person Viesturs!

Want to find out more about #CrossBorderRail? Wednesday evening’s meet-up is in Vilnius, and there is an event Friday morning in Warszawa - details here crossborderrail.trainsforeurope.eu/events/event-s…

And here’s the video of the #CrossBorderSwing at Valga 🇪🇪 Valka 🇱🇻 - it’s quite fun! Filmed by @ronpatz. Fao @KristinaDiller #CrossBorderRail