Yearly Archives: 2013

Bucharest Metro mixing third rail and overhead power

The metro system in the Romanian city of Bucharest is like most European urban rail networks, and uses a third rail to power their electric multiple unit trains. However on my journey around the network I discovered something odd – a miniature pantograph on the roof of some trains – so why would a railway mix two different ways of current collection?

Third rail running along the tracks of the Bucharest Metro Continue reading

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Railway abandonment across Germany

When I think of Germany’s railways the first thing to come to mind is their network of high speed ICE trains that cover the entire country, and after riding them I wasn’t disappointed. However the scenery I saw out the window showed me a side of their railways I didn’t expect – abandoned infrastructure galore.

Abandoned railway goods yard at Passau station Continue reading

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Adelaide’s trams and their Frankfurt connection

Over in Frankfurt I spent some time photographing the straßenbahn network. On seeing tram below, my thoughts went back to the Australian city of Adelaide, where almost identical trams are in service. So how are the two related?

Flexity S 211 arrives at Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof Continue reading

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Frankfurt’s mysterious ‘Feuerwehr Übungstunnel’ platform

I didn’t spend much time in Frankfurt, but I did manage to take a short trip around their underground railway (U-Bahn) network. Along the way I came across what looked like a disused platform, with the only clue being a ‘Feuerwehr Übungstunnel’ sign on the steel gate – so what was it?

Disused platform at Hauptbahnhof station labelled as 'Feuerwehr Übungstunnel' Continue reading

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Zeitinsel – a safer tram stop in Germany

In Germany trams are called ‘Straßenbahn>’ and the places they stop are called ‘Haltestelle’ – which come in a number of different designs. The ‘Überfahrbare Kaphaltestelle‘ (traversable Kaphaltestelle) is the one of most interest to someone from a tram network such as Melbourne.

Traversable Haltestellenkap in Kassel Continue reading

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Railfanning in Frankfurt, Germany

The first stop on my Europe holiday was Frankfurt, Germany. Unfortunately I didn’t get much time to look around the city, but here are a few suggested places for a railfan to visit.

Setting sun at the station Continue reading

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Welcome – I’m back home!

Finally – I’m back in Australia after my month long trip to Europe. In that time I passed through six countries, ten cities, three rail gauges and 15 rail operators – but how many photos did I take?

One month: 8,898 kilometres of rail travel! Continue reading

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