September 2008 - EUROPEAN NEWS (Robert Brown)
28 September 2008
Germany
On the 24th, the appearance of 218343 (paired with 218193) on IC118 the 09:10 Innsbruck to Münster (West) Hbf and IC119 the 07:27 Münster (West) Hbf to Innsbruck between Lindau and Ulm and back was well worthy of note. DB ran at least 19 special on Thursday 25th, classified as ADEX, these trains ran from all over Germany to Berlin, in connection with a protest march about the health service (or lack of it). Two of note were 110278 which worked Saarbrücken to Berlin to Saarbrücken and 110493 which did Wiesbaden to Berlin to Wiesbaden both trains of load 14!
France
Diesels 68539 and 68540 (one is blue and one is Fret green) have arrived in the Dunkerque area, I assume that they are for use on the track renewals between Dunkerque and Hazebrouck. On the 25th both locos were noted stabled at Grande Synthe. A look at planned work seems to suggest (my French could do with more work, so don’t take this as read) that work is scheduled on Hazebrouck to Dunkerque line until end October, but also on Hazebrouck to Calais to Boulogne liones, so the 68s could reach other areas near the Channel coast. It is ironic that the 68s continue to eek out an existence and that they are traveling further and wider around France than at any time since the 1960s.
Belgium
Yet more peak train action, from the 22nd 1346 headed IC2115 the 15:36 Brussels Midi to Luxembourg, 2214 did P8066 the 15:45 Brussels Zuid to Gent-St-Pieters, CFL 3005 topped IC2116 the 16:36 Brussels Midi to Luxembourg, 2371 powered P8067 the 16:23 Brussels Midi to Aalst, 1605 worked P8002 the 16:08 Schaarbeek to Oodtende, 2510 hauled P8511 the 16:02 Schaarbeek to Tournat, 2221 had control of P8723 the 16:16 Schaarbeek to Châtalet, 2224 topped P8741 the 17:00 Schaarbeek to Binche and 2303 headed P8906 the 17:05 Schaarbeek to Oudenaarde. The following day saw 2507 on P8066 the 15:45 Brussels Zuid to Gent-St-Pieters, 2125 leading P8400 the 16:09 Brussels Midi to Welkenraedt, 2002 powering P8602 the 16:15 Brussels Midi to Jemelle, 1346 in charge of IC2116 the 16:36 Brussels Midi to Luxembourg, 2371 leading P8067 the 16:23 Brussels Midi to Aalst, 2510 topping P8511 the 16:02 Schaerbeek to Tournat, 2221 again on P8723 the 16:16 Schaarbeek to Châtalet, 2224 hauling P8741 the 17:02 Schaarbeek to Binche, 2303 with P8906 the 17:05 Schaarbeek to Oudenaarde and 2204 on P8010 the 17:21 Schaarbeek to St Niklass. Our final dip into the peak trains this week comes from Friday 26th when 1353 headed IC2115 the 15:36 Brussels Midi to Luxembourg, 2507 hauled P8066 the 15:45 Brussels Zuid to Gent-St-Pieters, 1602 powered P8400 the 16:09 Brussels Midi to Welkenraedt, 1352 topped P8002 the 16:08 Schaarbeek to Oodtende, 2377 worked P8511 the 16:02 Schaerbeek to Tournat, 2221 handled P8723 the 16:16 Schaarbeek to Châtalet, 2213 lead P8741 the 17:02 Schaarbeek to Binche and 2303 powered P8906 the 17:05 Schaarbeek to Oudenaarde.
Switzerland
SBB Re4/4II 11109 has re-emerged from Bellinzona works after an R1 overhaul, retaining its Swiss Express livery. A ‘snap shot’ of the loco haulage available in and out of Zurich comes from the 19th when 11130 did RE2920 the 06:15 Erstfeld to Zurich, 11112+11304 headed EC151 the 07:09 Zurich to Chiasso, 11229 handled IR2259 the 08:31 Zurich to Chiasso, 11227+11116 topped IR562 the 08:34 Zurich to Basel, 11159 did EN464 the 07:10 Buchs to Zurich, 11145 came in on CNL409 the 07:10 Basel to Zurich, 421397 hauled EC193 the 09:16 Zurich to Lindau, 11144 worked IC566 the 08:09 Chur to Zurich, 11164 powered IC566 the 09:34 Zurich to Basel, 11143 did IC1015 the 08:37 Basel to Zurich, 11219 topped EC175 the 10:16 Schaffhausen to Zurich, 11195 worked RE3571 the 12:06 Olten to Luzern, 11210 handled S16148 the 13:08 Bern to Fribourg, 11125 headed S16153 the 13:23 Fribourg to Bern, 11197 topped 4787 the 17:07 Brig to Domodossola, 11138 worked 29184 the 16:50 Iselle de Trasquera to Brig and 11114 lead train 4159 the 17:10 Sion to Brig.
Portugal
Public tenders are due to be returned by November 8th for the upgrade of line between Bombel and Casa Branca, including remodeling of stations, signalling, bridges, etc as well as electrification from Bombel to Evora and the Vendas Novas east curve. The project is to last 22 months, so, by the end of 2010 we could see the cessation of 1931s on Oriente to Evora services. Who knows if a Casa Branca to Beja diesel hauled IC portion will continue.
Austria
On the 17th September EZ6399 the 08:24 Linz to Krems a d Donau produced 2043022+2143068, but EZ5914 the 07:46 Wien sud to Passau nostalgia train had 1044011 as power, which was a bit disappointing considering 1042020 passed moments before at the head of a freight. A Saturday at St Polten on the 20th produced some interesting workings 1099014 did R6841 the 10:34 St Polten to Mariazell, 1099001 was noted stabled at Laubenbachmuhle, 1099008+1099016 headed R6832 the 11:53 Mariazell to St Polten, 1099013+1099007 topped REX6842 the 16:57 Mariazell to St Polten, 1099011 powered R6845 the 16:38 St Polten to Mariazell, 2143050 topped R6793 between Traisen and St Polten, 2016020 hauled REX6022 the 17:47 Krems a d Donau to St Polten and 2043022 had charge of EZ6988 the 17:00 Krems a d Donau to Linz. Staying in the area the 22nd found 2143050 on R6790 the 08:16 St Polten to Traisen, 1099011 headed REX6837 the 08:35 St Polten to Mariazell, 1046013 hauled EZ6994 the 07:41 Wien Sud to Krems a d Donau, 2143033 powered EZ6994 the 09:36 Krems a d Donau to St Valentin, 2043063 topped EZ6989 the 08:24 Linz to Krems a d Donau, 2016043 lead REX6018 the 13:47 Krems a d Donau to St Polten, 1099013 handled R6809 the 14:34 St Polten to Laubenbachmuhle, 1099008 worked R6832 the 11:53 Mariazell to St Polten, 1099014 did R6811 the 15:34 St Polten to Laubenbachmuhle, 2095011 turned out on R6814 the 15:02 Laubenbachmuhle to St Polten and 1099016 hauled R6845 the 16:38 St Polten to Mariazell.
10 September 2008
Germany
Someone was up early on Monday 25th August in order to report 110295 heading RE12123 the 06:07 Koblenz to Frankfurt (Main), 110300 hauling RE12125 the 06:13 Koblenz to Frankfurt (Main) and 110320 leading RE4093 the 06:22 Koblenz to Mannheim. At a far more sociable time, 110352 headed RE30107 the 17:53 Ulm to Kufstein and 110324 turned out on RE30059 the 18:28 Ulm to Rosenheim. Moving on to the 29th, the afternoon found a rather battered looking 110347 at the head of the 14:14 Munchen Hbf to Augsburg, 110344 hauling the 18:00 Munchen Hbf to Garmisch and 110343 doing the honors on the 22:46 Munchen Hbf to Freilassing.
Portugal
On the 31st August 1455 headed the 15:29 Pocinho to Porto SB looking ‘in very nice shape’ (apparently). In connection with the Red Bull racing in Porto on Sunday 6th September IR864 the 08:48 Regua to Porto C and IR961 the 19:20 Porto SB to Regua were loco-hauled, IR864 was formed of 1455+1422 + 12 coaches! What the formation of IR961 was I don't know as yet.
France
Observations from the 3rd included 72139 on the 12:32 Paris Est to St. Dizier (via La Ferte Millon), 72188 heading the 13:13 Paris Est to Mulhouse, 15038 hauling the 15:39 St. Dizier to Paris Est, 15061 with the 17:16 Chalons-en-Champagne to Paris Est and 67497 topping the 18:47 Paris Nord to Laon. The following day found 67620+67609 hauling the 06:35 Laon to Paris Nord, 15021 heading the 07:07 Paris Nord to Boulogne Ville (to Amiens), 67602 powered the 07:07 Paris Nord to Boulogne Ville (ex Amiens), 15037 had charge of the 10:46 Boulogne Ville to Paris Nord (ex Amiens), 16018 was provided for the 14:23 Paris St. Lazare to Rouen Rive-Droit with push-pull stock, 16047 headed the 16:04 Le Havre to Paris St. Lazare and 16050 topped the 14:30 Paris St. Lazare to Caen.
Austria
As predicted on the 30th August the ÖBB Nostalgie special "50 years class 2050" from Wien Süd to Sigmundsherberg was worked by 2050.04 + 2050.02. Unfortunately 2050.02 had to be stored again after the tour as two of the driving engines have failed again! Preserved 2050.09 was displayed at Sigmundsherberg shed for the entire weekend. Noted out on the 30th were 1116143 heading the 05:05 Salzburg to Linz and 1116132 leading the 07:21 Linz to Summerau.
Spain
The ARMF preservation group at Lleida are looking for sponsors for assistance in their restoration project of DL500 ALCO 1603, details here.
Switzerland
Late news, but worth looking at was the contents of Muttenz Yard & SP on the 16th August Tm9459 11177/239/243/244/279/287/306/332/335/340/362/424/426/437/478/480/603/604/605/610/615/621/625/678/683
11684/689 420268/276 421384/386 610489 482026/044/046 232003/016/034/050 234203 841006/017 843001/003/013/014/019/020 SNCF 37043/054 EWS 66028/218.
3 September 2008
Belgium
‘P’ trains noted on the 25th included 2514 on the 06:44 Aarschott to Antwerp Noorderdocken, 2371 heading the 07:44 Aarschott to Antwerp Berchem, 2503 powering the 15:40 Bruxelles Midi to Gent, 2214 hauling the 16:05 Scaherbeek to Tournai, 2221 with the 16:16 Schaerbeek to Chatelet, 2224 topping the 16:40 Bruxelles Midi to Denderleeuw, 2204 at the head of the 17:00 Schaerbeek to Binche, 2364 with the 17:05 Schaerbeek to Ooudenarde, 2507 leading the 17:12 Bruxelles Midi to Dendermonde and 2323 on the 17:32 Schaerbeek to Saint Niklaas. Also on this day 1306 was noted heading the 15:33 Bruxelles Midi-Luxembourg, this may be working in the passenger sector for mileage accumulation having been out of service for several years. On Friday 29th diesel 5529 worked IR4017 the 17:26 Liers to Gouvy, with fully operating ETH, this was possibly related to 1503 working IR121 which started from Liege.
Germany
The private operator Pressnitztalbahn ltd (PRESS) now has a V100 in what is, essentially, original condition. Released from a full overhaul at Stendal, painted in ‘Bordeaux-red’ and with a fully operational steam heating boiler is 112565 (202565), which is now fit for the next eight years. The other V100 that was in this livery, 112326 (202326) has now been repainted into the house blue. In the middle of August 203728 (202728) left ‘rent A rail’ services and became property of ‘SC rail leasing, it is currently to be found within the Thuringia steel works where it has replaced the works own V100 locomotive 201-26 (201171), which is now for sale. Sightings from the 23rd included 189090 leading CNL313 the 17:03 Amsterdam to Wien (Vienna) into Frankfurt, 110493 heading RB11227 the 17:45 Wuppertal to Bonn which is not in Koln 110 diagram and 120103+120155 topping IC929 the 15:46 Hamburg to Nurnberg. On the 27th 110460 headed RB37152 the 11:04 Donauworth to Aalen, 110425 did RB37156 the 12:04 Donauworth to Aalen, 110344 hauled RB30629 the 18:00 Munchen to Garmisch and 110223 powered RE37042 the 21:51 Munchen to Augsburg
Portugal
Article in press in Portugal this last week states that CP are experiencing increased loadings on the Douro and that the 09:15 Porto to Regua and 17:00 return will be strengthened by '1 or 2 coaches', this would suggest that these turns will be loco hauled on a regular basis. In the same article an increase in loadings of 18% on the Lisboa and Porto suburban services, (with Porto to Braga patronage running at the level predicted for 2014) are causing major problems as there is no more stock available. Tenders are out for around 40 new EMUs of which 34 should be dual-voltage units for the Cascais line, the balance being extra units for Porto, plus 20-25 potentially dual fuel or dual power units (bi bi units?) for regional work. (These will, presumably be 0450/0600 replacements.) Overall this is good news for CP but with resources having been stripped to the bare minimum in recent years, it is a shame that the railway might miss an opportunity to benefit from the shift away from the roads, given the increases in fuel costs. In contrast, another article (been busy week for rail-related articles!) highlighted that the new freight branch to Coina has been used by a massive total of 2 (yes, two!) trains since it opened. This was built at a cost of 5million euro to serve a scrap plant with services to Spain planned. The downturn is the Spanish economy has been blamed. Work is continuing on the new Aveiro port branch, with opening due in late 2009.
New delivery 4704 is now out and at Poceirão, this being the first of the class to be assembled at Entroncamento. 4701 to 4704 are all based at Poceirão for tests, normally on the Vendas Novas line, but also have been know to run up to Entroncamento. On the 25th 1442 was seen heading the 12:45 Porto to Valença service, it’s quite rare to get loco hauled service on that line nowadays.
France
Confirmed stock changes for September are : new 27355 Ile de France & 60065/71/74/75 Fret, Transferred 17076 Ile de France to TER Picardie & 17098 Ile de France to CIC, also, the last two Z5300 allocated to Bordeaux have now been withdrawn. On the 27th 72148 headed train 1042 the 12:46 Mulhouse Ville to Paris Est.
Austria
Sightings from the 23rd included 2143029/030/050/058/069 all on St Polten depot with 2143072 heading the 08:16 St Polten to St Aegyd, 2095011 headed the 12:34 St Polten to Laubenbachmühle and 2016002 did the 12:37 St Polten to Krems, (with double deck stock which is really not needed on this turn on a Saturday). At Krems ‘historic’ 2043.24 arrived with the 13:21 St Valentin to Wien Ost and gave way to 1042013, meanwhile 2043060 worked the 17:01 Krems to Linz and 2050009 was seen on the 17:39 Pamhagen to Wien Ost.
Luxembourg
The annual ‘classic Transport day’ will this year be on Sunday 21st September, according to the facts currently available steam loco 5519 will only run ‘in and out’ of the main station. This means that it is likely that the trains on other route will be diesel-hauled. Electric ‘Flatirin’ 3608 is almost ready (it was noted in undercoat inside the main depot on the 27th but it is not clear if it will be ready in time. As is normal ‘classic traction’ will appear on regular timetabled trains with the Luxembourg to Troisvierges, Luxembourg to Kleinbettingen and Luxembourg to Esch sur Alzette / Petange routes being the best bets.
Holland
A spell at Roosendaal on the 25th saw the following leave for Arnhem, 1732 on IC3638 the 10:51 departure, 1738 IC3640 the 11:21 ex Roosendaal, 1746 on IC3642 the 11:51 service. 1741 with IC3644 the 12:21 departure and 1729 heading IC3646 the 12:51 service.
August 2008 European News is now available to download.