Last week, I took a train from Belgrade to Budapest. In times past, this would be a fairly simple affair with a direct and comfortable intercity train. Right now, however, it’s a very different story.

The direct train is replaced by a bus while the line between Belgrade and the Hungarian border near Subotica are upgraded for 200kmh trains. It is possible, but not necessarily advisable, to take trains the entire distance. I shall explain why…

I’ve sat the assessments to become a trainee driver. You only get two chances to pass, ever.

They were among the toughest tests I’ve ever done. I studied and practiced for weeks, but still didn’t hit the pass mark on one of them.

Thread incoming…

https://twitter.com/champs707007/status/1706245634154471813

The first thing you need to know is that there’s an academic aspect to the role. You’ll spend months in a classroom before you getting first proper go driving. They’ll have you drive one at 5mph in a depot and spend time shadowing, or maybe practice procedures in a simulator.