Tag Archives: railways in the snow

Inspection crews on the Russian Railways

On my way across Russia by train I spent hours staring out the window at the passing scenery, and in that time I found plenty of railway staff looking just as intently at the tracks.

Walking the tracks with a measuring gauge Continue reading

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Track workers of the Russian Railways

As I travelled by train across Russia, one of the things that stood out was how often I’d find workers lineside, busy repairing the tracks.

Stereotypical workers: leaning on their shovels, as they wait for our train to pass Continue reading

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Railfan’s guide to Budapest, Hungary

My visit to Budapest was stop number three on my trip across Europe, and I stayed there for a few days – the city has plenty to see, and you won’t be able to visit all of the locations below in a single day.

Budapest Chain Bridge lit up by night Continue reading

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Above ground sections of the Moscow Metro

When asked to think of the Moscow Metro, deep tunnels and ornately decorated stations are what usually come to mind. However the network is a big one, and there are always exceptions. So where does the Moscow Metro run above ground?

Moscow Metro train departs Студенческая (Studencheskaya) station Continue reading

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A flying visit to Rostov-on-Don

While headed from the Ukrainian capital of Kiev to the Black Sea resort of Sochi, we had to change trains in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. It wasn’t anything to write home about, but we did find an interesting fried chicken shop.

Укрзалізниця (Ukrainian Railways) and РЖД (Russian Railways) trains at Rostov-on-Don Continue reading

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Keeping ice off the overhead wires

In a land of freezing cold winters, it isn’t just the tracks that get covered with snow – ice builds up on the overhead lines used to power electric trains, acting as an electrical insulator to prevent the pantograph contacting the wire, which interrupts the flow of current and creates a shower of sparks. So what issues does that cause to rail operations?

електри́чка (suburban electrical multiple unit) train outside the city of Ясинувата (Yasynuvata) Continue reading

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Exploring Saint Petersburg’s abandoned Varshavsky station

During my stay in Saint Petersburg, I tried to visit the collection of Russian trains at the Oktyabrskaya Railway Museum, but it was closed for the New Year holiday. However my venture to the outskirts of the city was not in vain, as the unguarded remains of Varshavsky vokzal (Varshavsky station) was still there to explore.

Looking down the abandoned platforms to the main station building Continue reading

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Ukrainian Railways clearing the snow

Ukraine has bitterly cold winters, so keeping snow off the railway tracks is a big job.

Yet another snow clearing crew at work on the Ukrainian Railways Continue reading

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Snow clearance trains on the Russian Railways

My visit to Russia was in the middle of winter, so everywhere I went, snow was covering the railway tracks. So how do the Russian Railways keep them clear?

Diesel locomotive 2М62У-0063 kicks up snow while hauling mixed freight Continue reading

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