#railways

How miserable the DB ICE train ride is depends on:

• are people quiet in the quiet zone
• is somebody sitting next to me (correlated, the more packed the quiet coach, the more talkers)

How miserable a regional train ride is depends on:

• do I have to stand (or sit on the floor)

#train #railways #travel

🇫🇷 Début mai 2006, j’effectuais une visite au musée des chemins de fer néerlandais à Utrecht, quelques impression de la visite il y a 20 ans.

1. Les autorails DE-I ou “Blauwe Engelen” (Anges bleus) était surnommé ainsi à cause de leur livrée. Ils circulaient sur des lignes secondaires et même en trafic transfrontalier entre Maastricht et Liège dans les années 1970.
2. Locomotive de la série 1000, les premières machines des NS aux côté des célèbres automotrices “Hondekop” (tête de chien) et une “Sprinter” de première génération.
3. Instant de rêve devant cette voiture de la Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits de l’Orient-Express.
4. Une machine de la série 1100 dans son état d’origine, ces machines sont de fabrication française (Alsthom comme l’entreprise s’appelait alors) semblable aux BB 8100 de la SNCF. A côté, on peut apercevoir un bout d’un autorail diesel Mat’34.

🇬🇧 Early May 2006, I visited the National Dutch Railway Museum in Utrecht. A few impressions of that visit 20 years ago.

1. The DE-I railcars nicknamed “Blauwe Engelen” (Blue Angel) because of their livery. They operated mainly on branch lines but also in International traffic between Maastricht and Liège in the 1970’s.
2. A Class 1000 Electric locomotive, the first of the NS next to one of the most known EMU in Netherlands : the “Hondekop” (Dog’s head) and a “Sprinter” of the first generation.
3. Dreaming for a moment with this carriage of the CIWL (International Company of Sleeping-Cars) Orient-Express.
4. A locomotive class 1100 in original state and livery. They were built by Alsthom (like the company then was named) and are looking identical as some SNCF locomotives too. (SNCF class BB 8100). Next to it, we can see a piece of a DMU class Mat’34.

#thicktrunktuesday #railways #railwayPhotography #Eisenbahn #Eisenbahnbilder #Spoorwegen #CheminDeFer #Trains

🇫🇷 En route vers le palais royal. 👑 😁 🇬🇧 On my way to the King’s palace. 👑 😁 #trains #railways #spoorwegen #cheminsDeFer #Eisenbahn #excursionSansAuto

🚄🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎫💳 Millions of passengers in #England are benefiting from the first nationwide rail fare freeze in 30 years, as the Government halts planned increases to regulated fares including season tickets, peak and off-peak returns. More than a billion journeys a year are covered. Without the intervention, fares would have risen by 5.8 per cent. The freeze is expected to save passengers £600 million in 2026/27, with some commuters saving over £300 annually. Ministers say the move will ease living costs and support economic growth as plans progress to establish Great #British #Railways under public ownership. New refund rules will also aim to curb fare fraud, saving around £40 million a year. https://dft-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/passengers-save-millions-as-rail-fare-freeze-starts

🚄🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎫💳 Millions of passengers in #England are benefiting from the first nationwide rail fare freeze in 30 years, as the Government halts planned increases to regulated fares including season tickets, peak and off-peak returns. More than a billion journeys a year are covered. Without the intervention, fares would have risen by 5.8 per cent. The freeze is expected to save passengers £600 million in 2026/27, with some commuters saving over £300 annually. Ministers say the move will ease living costs and support economic growth as plans progress to establish Great #British #Railways under public ownership. New refund rules will also aim to curb fare fraud, saving around £40 million a year. https://dft-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/passengers-save-millions-as-rail-fare-freeze-starts

A farewell rail tour celebrating 50-year-old Mark III trains has raised £20,000 for charity. #Chiltern #Railways and the Branch Line Society organised the sold-out journey on 22 February between #London Marylebone and the West Midlands, marking the impending withdrawal of the operator’s Mark III fleet at the end of March. Around 250 enthusiasts travelled on the special service, with many more gathering at stations along the route. Some visitors were invited into the driver’s cab at Banbury before departure. Proceeds from the tour were donated to #Railway Children, which supports vulnerable young people in the #UK, Tanzania and India. The Mark III coaches, in service with Chiltern since 2010, are being replaced by the operator’s new Mark 5A ‘Chiltern Explorer’ #trains. https://press.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/farewell-tour-for-50-year-old-trains-raises-gbp-20-000-for-charity

#Chiltern #Railways passengers are being reminded of a four-day closure of the route between London Marylebone and Aylesbury Vale Parkway via Amersham from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 February, due to #London Underground signalling upgrades. No Chiltern services will run on the route during this period. Rail replacement buses will operate between Beaconsfield and Aylesbury Vale Parkway, serving Amersham, Great Missenden, Wendover, Stoke Mandeville and Aylesbury, connecting with trains at Beaconsfield. #TfL will also run buses between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham, though roadworks near Rickmansworth and Chorleywood are expected to lengthen journeys. Some peak services will run via High Wycombe, and passengers from Aylesbury to London are advised to travel via Princes Risborough. Customers are urged to check journeys in advance. https://press.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/chiltern-railways-customers-reminded-of-upcoming-metropolitan-line-closure-this-month

The #Welsh Ministers have a duty under the #Railways Act 1993 to ensure continuity of Wales-only and Welsh components of rail services. Acting as agent for the UK Government, they also oversee English components. The Cabinet Secretary for #Transport and North #Wales and UK Ministers have approved a public sector rail services agreement with Transport for Wales Rail Ltd, alongside necessary agreements with the #UK Government. Effective from 1 February 2026, the flexible agreement builds on over £1bn of investment in the Core Valley Lines, new trains, increased capacity, and performance improvements across Wales and the Borders. https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-new-rail-services-agreement-secretary-state-agreements

#London Northwestern #Railway and West #Midlands Railway will return to public ownership on 1 February 2026, bringing all West Midlands #Trains services under government control. From that date, around half of all rail journeys overseen by Great #British #Railways will be run by publicly owned operators. The government says the move supports plans for a simpler, more integrated rail system with more reliable, affordable and better-connected services. The routes connect #Liverpool, #Birmingham, London and destinations across the West Midlands, supporting jobs, education and local #economies. West Midlands Trains becomes the fourth operator to transfer under the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act, alongside a rail fare freeze. More than 8,500 publicly owned services now run each day, with official data showing stronger performance on punctuality and cancellations. Further transfers are planned as Great British Railways legislation progresses. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/london-northwestern-railway-and-west-midlands-railway-services-return-to-public-ownership