Poland 23-29th September 2020

Pt47-65 pauses for the DMU to Wolsztyn to cross it at Nova Wies Mochy while working the 05:30 Wolsztyn - Leszno. 25.09.2020

CTL's 182 090 passes Mysłowice in a patch of 
good light with a coal train. 29.09.2020

Introduction:

A very short notice trip to Poland (Flights booked about 24 hours before!)- I’m convinced that the best way to beat the pandemic travel lottery is to book very last minute checking that your country is still on the ‘good’ list!

Two of my friends had landed themselves a week on the Wolsztyn experience, and while I could not join for the whole week due to work commitments a crazy plan had hatched in my head to fly out after work on the Wednesday for a few days in Poland, including joining them at Wolsztyn for steam and beers. With them flying home on the Sunday it wouldn’t be much of a trip, so a few days were tagged on the end for some freight photography in Silesia, somewhere I had not visited since 2011.

EP07 1015 approaches Leszno heading towards Wrocław. 25.09.2020

 

PT47-65 prior to departure to Poznan. 26.09.2020

Wednesday 23^rd September:

Today's plan was simply to get to Poland. Flying with Wizz from Luton is never ideal, however I numbed the pain by discovering a nice HST move with 43073 leading the 18:04 St Pancras to Leeds, one of very few chances to reach the airport with a proper train!

The flight was around 30 minutes late and once in Poland it was almost Thursday- the only task was to get to my accommodation the Ibis Budget on the outskirts of Wrocław. Fortunately quick disembarkation and luggage got me in a taxi and I was in my hotel room only 30 minutes after the flight arrived.

ET22 1162 passes Myslowice with covered steel carriers. 29.09.2020

 

DB 189 017 approaches Wrocław Stadion. 24.09.20

Thursday 24^th September:

Aware that the weather forecast for my week was getting worse every time I checked it I really needed to make the most of this day, as it could be my last dry one for the whole trip!

The Covid breakfast offer at the hotel was not appealing so I headed straight out to find a lineside spot near to Wrocław Stadion station on the line to Zielina Gora. Unfortunately my first freight, and only one in the right direction was hauled by DB 189 017- I hadn’t come here to see modern German electrics! A couple more freights passed in the opposite direction with more Polish traction, EU07 199 and EU07 180 double heading a freight for Cargonuit with ET22 903 in pursuit.

EU07 199 and EU07 180 at Wrocław Stadion. 24.09.20

My next stop was Wroclaw Zerniki on the line towards Legnica. Again the trains weren’t especially kind with the only freight in the ‘right’ direction being hauled by DB’s plain white Vectron 193 560. In the other direction was Lotos Skoda 181 071 with an oil train. Fortunately the only passenger had been going the ‘right’ way, towards Wrocław so that did provide some compensation.

My next target was to head to the area around Wrocław Brochów depot, first traveling through the beautifully restored Wrocław Głowny. Here there was a surprise in a meeting with one of the new PKP Intercity ‘Griffin’ locos, EU160 024 built by Newag, working a TLK service.

EP07 435 passes through Wrocław Zerniki 24.09.2020

New PKP IC EU160-024 'Griffin' built by Newag stands at Wrocław Głowny with a TLK 24.09.2020

EP09 008 heads south from Wrocław Brochow. 24.09.2020

On arrival at Wroclaw Brochow there was a nice surprise in M62 1705 sitting in the yard on an engineers train, terribly positioned for a photo. Of course when a freight did arrive it was another German affair with DB’s Vectron 193 395.

I had identified a spot south of the station which should give a good view of IC trains, though didn’t expect any freight to pass here. En-route I was distracted somewhat by Kris-Max ‘Ludmilla’ 232 583 which was shunting in the yard. Various interesting older locos could be seen in the depot- something to explore later.

It took a while to get my IC shots but I was rewarded with EP09 008 and EU07 317 heading south after a little wait.

New ET26 003 'Dragon' loco form Newag stands outside the depot at Wrocław Brochow. 24.09.2020

Not moving, but at least well lit- ST44 1220 on Wrocław Brochow. 24.09.2020

Now it was time to tackle the depot- clearly lugging my hold luggage around was not going to be an option so I found a ‘subtle’ location to hide this for an hour or so by the lineside- sometimes needs must! I then donned my HV jacket, much more common in Poland than they once were, and simply wandered into the depot. Inside was a treasure-trove of locos, both serviceable and not. 

SU46 041 awaiting the cutters torch. 24.09.2020

Highlights included ST44 1220 (a class I have still not seen moving a train for PKP), ET41 141 in green nicely positioned, brand new EU26 003 (a new Newag ‘Dragon’) and the star being ET42 029 in heritage green – a class I had not previously photographed and which was high on my priority list for this trip. 

The depot also contained examples of ET21, ET22, SM31, SM42, ST43, SU45, SU46. My final port of call in the depot were some pictures of fire damaged SU46 041 which was sitting ready to be scrapped.

Retro-liveried ET42 029 stands on the depot at Wrocław Brochaw. 24.09.2020

Another heritage surprise is EP08 001 in the former express
orange livery seen shunting at Wrocław Głowny. 24.09.2020

I retrieved my bag and headed back to the station quite content. I would have another pleasant surprise at Wrocław Głowny as heritage orange liveried EP08 001 was shunting at the station, ahead of joining my own train to Leszno behind EP07 312. It wasn’t far out of Wrocław before the sun mostly disappeared. Despite some hauled stock on the other side of the station my train on to Wolsztyn was, of course, a nasty 2 car DMU, but I was at least met on arrival in Wolsztyn with an ice cream before being taken to my accommodation courtesy of the Wolsztyn experience.

 

EP07 2001 working from Poznan to Jelenia Gora at Leszno. 25.09.20

Friday 25^th September:

With only four round trips behind steam available in during my short stay in Wolsztyn I was obviously going to have to be up early for the 05:30 Wolsztyn – Leszno behind Pt47 65, a change from the Ol49’s which I had seen in steam on my previous trips. Getting up early certainly paid off as the morning light turned out to be good and there were a couple of opportunities for photo stops when the train was booked to pass DMU’s.

At Leszno I was caught by surprise by PolRegio’s (the new name for Przewozy Regionale) EP07 2001, working R76901 05:40 Poznan – Jelenia Gora, one of only a handful of workings for these trains. Also catching my attention was ST43 208 which was sitting outside the roundhouse at Leszno, clearly having been very recently moved despite this class now having effectively been withdrawn.

'Withdrawn' ST43 208 outside the roundhouse at Leszno. 24.09.2020

Back at Wolsztyn there was time for a quick change of attire before it was my turn on the footplate for the afternoon run to and from Leszno. Firebox food consumed back at the shed there was time for some photography and a scrub up before dinner at the usual Wolsztyn restaurant the Powozownia.

 

Saturday 26^th September:

PT47-65 powers out of Wolsztyn with the afternoon run to Poznan on 26th September 2020.

It was another early start as I was footplating again in the morning. This being a Saturday the steam turn is the 06:12 Wolsztyn – Poznan. Very little to report other than the steam as there wasn’t time to do much else in Poznan before the return after cleaning the loco and finding a bite to eat.

Highlighted by the lights of the brand new, but not yet opened platform 1 at Wolsztyn, PT47-65 awaits departure with the 05:30 Wolsztyn - Leszno. 25.09.2020

After watching the afternoon departure from Wolsztyn it was time to finally explore the town and the lake – something that I don’t think I found any time to actually do on my previous visit! Before dinner there was just time to pop down to the station to see the final steam arrival and hitch a quick ride down to the shed. This didn’t put me in the best position to buy my ticket for the following day from the ticket office and after walking back I discovered the lady didn’t want to sell me one anyway!

 

SU4210 004 under the shed at Wrocław Głowny. 27.09.2020

Sunday 27^th September:

Today was supposedly going to be the worst weather of the trip, which was fine as essentially it was to be a transit day. Being a Sunday there weren’t very many options to get out of Wolsztyn, and no steam either. I opted for the 09:31 to Leszno where I had an hour and a half fester before picking up EP07 1029 and retracing my steps back towards Wroclaw. The pause did give me time to explore the town of Leszno, something I’ve also not done before – the place is certainly pleasant but, again being a Sunday, mostly closed. Large parts of the Leszno – Wrocław line are currently under re-construction with single line working in place. The construction trains are being handled by a selection of Green TEM2 locomotives which can be seen shunting around their ballast wagons in the station from time to time.

EU07 540 calls at the new station at Gliwice 27.09.2020

At Wroclaw an extra coach was added to the train by SM4210 004. I also elected to try out the buffet car and had some rather pleasant breaded camembert for lunch.

Although I had booked through to my final destination; Katowice, since the light was not actually as bad as I had expected I left the train at Gliwice in the hope of seeing some freight- I had barely passed any on the train but having been here before (when it looked totally different) I knew it was a spot with potential. Five freights were seen in my two hours (all bar one in the first)- all with Polish traction this time. As I continued on to Katowice behind EP07 387 the sun came tantalisingly close to coming out and as I arrived into another station rebuilt since my previous visit there was a lovely sunset. 

Kolprem EU07's 153 and 070 power a coal train through Gliwice. 27.09.2020

I checked into my accommodation close to the station and quickly decided that I was exhausted from the last few days early starts it was to be a take away pizza in my room and an early night.

 

Monday 28^th September:

A very grey start to the day as I pondered my move to Mysłowice for some freight photography. I ended up purposely missing the train and deciding to take the tram, the only complication being working out where to get a ticket. I found a 90 minute ticket for 5zl from a convenience store and made my way via routes 20 and 14.

A pair of Konstal 105 trams lead by 508 shortly after departing from the station at Mysłowice. While there isn't much to indicate it here, Silesian tramways are rapidly modernising. 28.09.2020

The only double unit of the session- ZSSK's 131 020 works a coal 
train through Mysłowice. 28.09.2020

The Sliesian tramways are worth a trip in their own right for anyone who takes an interest in such things. The network is one of the largest interurban tramways in the world covering 111 route miles and linking many cities in the area. While many parts of the tramway have been modernised, particularly around Katowice itself, and much of the fleet is now new or modernised stock it is still easily possible to find sections of ancient decaying infrastructure worked by the typical, if outgoing, Konstal 105’s. Indeed I bumped into a British tram spotter while riding the route 14 towards Mysłowice.

In the familiar colours of Wisconsin Central 
RailPolska's 201Eo-001 (ET22) passes Mysłowice. 28.09.2020

There is a nice tram stop outside the station where routes 14 and 26 both terminate, and unfortunately while photographing the trams here I missed my first freight, a coal train hauled by a CTL TEM-2, even more unfortunately this had probably been the most interesting train to pass all morning. Mysłowice had potential to be very good, but in the gloom of a Monday morning slightly disappointed. Freight seen was as follows:

-OBB 1294 004 – Southbound Cargowagon / Intermodal

-RailPolska 201Eo-001 (ET22) – Southbound LE

-STK S200 529 (ChME3) – Southbound LE

-ZSSK 131 020 – Southbound Coal

-Lotos 6Dg-166 top and tail 6Dg 147 - southbound Coal

-OBB 1294 004 – Northbound LE

-PKP Cargo ET22 1124 – Southbound mixed

The driver of a Konstal 105 on Silisian route 14 manually
changes the points, another reminder of the investment 
still required on this massive inter-urban system. 29.09.2020

-PKP Cargo ET22 829 – Southbound Intermodal

-PKP Cargo SM42 080 – Southbound LE

-CTL TEM-2 227 – Northbound LE

-CTL 185 085 – Southbound LE

-Cargonit E6ACT-003 (Newag Dragon) – Northbound Tanks

-ECCO Rail SM42 2446 – Southbound LE

ST48 050, heavily built from an ST48 on a coal train in dismal 
conditions at Tarnowskie Gory. 28.09.2020

The afternoon plan was to move on to Tarnowskie Góry where I had identified a lineside position- unfortunately the weather didn’t improve, but at least my EN57 was particularly loud!

Once in position there was a bit of a wait for some trains but several southbound services did appear in increasingly poor weather conditions:

-LOTOS 181049 + 181058 Soutbhound tanks

-PKP Cargo ST48 040 Soutbhound Coal

- PKP Cargo ET22 999 Southbound LE

Modern traction against old infrastructure at Bytom. 28.09.2020

Classic Konstal action on the modernised main street of
Katowice with a route 7 service. 

The spot certainly had potential but with the weather getting progressively wetter and my bag already taking shelter beneath my umbrella I called time on the location early and headed back to Bytom. This is a station which has absolutely not been modernised (at platform level at least) with a large dingy overall roof. A couple of stabled freights were photographed here before I made my way back to Katowice by tram, after a lengthy delay finding a shop which could sell me a ticket. Route 7 was far less run down that the lines around Mysłowice but I did at least manage a Konstal 105 for part of the journey.

I made it out for dinner tonight and also managed a few night photos of the trams outside the main station before bed.

 

Tuesday 29^th September:

SM42 552 shunts several double-unit ET41's (139 and 074) on depot at Czechowice-Dziedzice. 29.09.2020

Konstal 105 340 emerges from the trees at
Mysłowice. 29.09.2020

This was the one day I was actually hoping for some decent weather, so to wake up for thick drizzle was somewhat of a disappointment! I had hastily made a plan the previous night of my moves today and drawn straws between Czestochowa and Czechowice-Dziedzice- the latter having won and affording my first ride with a Griffin with EU160 022 on a TLK towards Zilina, Slovakia. This should have been a freight hotspot but I realised fairly quickly that this was not going to be the case- the line towards Ostrava was blocked for engineering works (quite major engineering works- there was no track!), and it appeared the line towards Oswicem may well have been closed too. There was time to watch a bit of shunting within the depot and photograph the familiar looking 66166 in the yard before making a quick exit on the next train back to Katowice.

A lucky catch- Heritage liveried EP07 174 approaches Katowice with a TLK. 29.09.2020

While I still mourn the passing of Green ET22's
and their former passenger work these machines
are still amongst my favorites in Poland. ET22 896 
waits the road at Mysłowice. 29.09.2020 

Without a huge amount of time left there wasn’t a huge choice of alternative locations for what was left of the afternoon, so feeling it still had some potential I headed back to Mysłowice. A lucky bonus was catching EU07 174 in heritage green outside Katowice Głowny while being hauled myself by EU07 302.

A classic look to TEM2-116 at Mysłowice. 29.09.20

At Mysłowice the activity was better than the previous morning with highlights including Komprem M62M 018 (which looked great but sounded like a class 66!), and TEM2 – 116 (which certainly did not sound like a 66!). The light got a lot better too and a few interludes were taken to photograph the trams outside and go for a short hop on route 26 towards Sosnowiec- an interesting journey again on old infrastructure with Konstal 105 trams. 

A nice surprise was CTL's 'Ludmilla'. 232 584 passing through Mysłowice with a coal train. 29.09.20

Elderly 3E-100-076 (ET21) catches the sun at 
Mysłowice. 29.09.2020

In my time at Mysłowice the following freight trains were seen:

-PKP Cargo ET22 1023 – Northbound intermodal

-Kolprem M62M 018 – Northbound loaded steel

-TEM2 116 + Orion 6Dm 01 Northbound tanks

-PKP Cargo ET22 562 – Northbound Coal

-PKP Cargo ET22 209 – Southbound loaded scrap

-PKP Cargo ET22 1162 – Southbound steel carriers

-DB Schenker Rail Polska 66173 – Northbound LE

-Akiem 186 354 – Southbound coal

-Kris-Max 232 368 – Northbound single chemical tank

A very short load- Kris-Max 232 358 hauls a 
single chemical tank through Mysłowice. 29.09.20

-CTL 182 090 – Southbound Coal

-PKP Cargo ET41 192 – Southbound Coal

-CTL 232 584 – Southbound Coal

-DB Schenker Rail Polska 3E-100-076 (ET21) – Northbound LE

-PKP Cargo ET41 192 – Northbound Coal

-PKP Cargo ET22 896 – Northbound LE

M62M018 hauls a train of steel coils through Mysłowice. The loco has been re-engined and now sounds just like an EMD class 66! 29.09.20

 

A friend from back home - 66173 works light
engine through Mysłowice. 29.09.2020

Finally it was time to board my IC115 from Katowice to Krakow behind EU07 306. This route bears very little resemblance to the slow and aging infrastructure I experienced back in 2011 on my first visit, and while the line speed is an improvement I can’t say the same for the extensive sound fences which now hem in this route. A final area of work is between Jaworzno Szczakowa and Trezibinia where there is an extensive section of single line working, including the station at Trezibinia being totally re-built. The train is slowed by these works significantly, but that simply provided me time to enjoy my Czech beer on tap from the buffet before arriving into Krakow.

With conditions brightening double unit ET41 160 hauls a coal train through Mysłowice. 29.09.2020

 On arrival I was greeted by EP09 046, which I was surprised to see was still in the red and orange heritage livery I had seen it wearing on my first trip to Poland.

 A final heritage treat - EP09 046 at Krakow Glowny. 29.09.2020

There was not time for any more trains, plus the light had gone so I checked my bag into a locker and spent my last hour wandering around the delights of Krakow’s old town. I had forgotten quite how beautiful, and full of tourists, it was- quite unlike Katowice. Finally it was time to pick up my bag, do a bit of shopping and head to the airport- like so much of Poland the rail link having been rebuilt since my previous visit.

 

Conclusions:

Konstal 105N's at Mysłowice. The second vehicle being a heavily modernised version of foreground model. Much of route 14 and 26 which converge here maintain their old charm. 29.09.2020

EU07 317 heads south from Wrocław Brochaw. 29.09.2020

Poland somehow always leaves me wanting more and the area around Silisia does seem to be the busiest with its concentration of coal and heavy industry. Sadly once again I didn’t see either an ST44 or ET42 in motion during the trip- so that will be my excuse for my next visit- but I did at least see examples of both classes on the depot at Wroclaw.

Steam at Wolsztyn is quite a unique spectacle, and while we can all debate how ‘real’ or not it is, it is now the best example of regular working steam in Europe with ‘normal’ paying passengers on board. Clearly the operation isn’t going to continue for ever, but it has survived Covid for now and the local government has funded running for 2021.

It was great once again to get away during this ‘complicated’ year- indeed the curtains were drawn on quarantine free travel to Poland just a few days after my trip with restrictions being reintroduced for Poland 4 days later! A lucky escape there! Who knows where the next trip might be!?

PT47-65 heads into stormy skies as it leaves Wolsztyn for Poznan. 26.09.2020

Back to the RhB. SBB / RhB Trip Report 7 - 12th August 2020

Ge4/4ii 620 in 'RhB Club' livery heads east through the Rhein gorge between Trin and Reichenau-Tammins with a St. Mortiz bound Glacier Express. 08.08.2020

Re4/4 11108 still retains its Swiss Express livery but is cited to be
soon due for withdrawal. The loco is seen here at Frick with a
Zurich - Basel service on 7th August 2020.

2020 certainly hasn't been the year we were anticipating- when I concluded my last trip at the beginning of March it was clear that the impact of the new Coronavirus, Covid-19 was going to be severe but even then I had not anticipated that Norway would close it's borders around a week later and subsequently I enjoyed a weekend in Paris just as France too was shutting down. Within weeks the UK had entered a full scale lockdown and any thoughts of heading abroad (or even beyond the limits of ones daily exercise) for railway activities seemed a distant ambition. 

On the final day of our trip Ge4/4ii 630 'Trun' is seen approaching S-Chanf on another glorious morning with a St. Moritz - Landquart service. 12/08/2020.

Be4/4 513 follows the valley between Davos and Filisur. 11/08/20.

Despite somewhat difficult circumstances by summer it became apparent that things were finally improving, at least for the short term, and a trip initially considered for late spring was brought back onto the agenda; to Switzerland and one of our favorite railways the Rhatische Bahn in the mountains of Graubunden. There were encouraging signs, far from the railway being shut down a full compliment of steam tours and heritage trains were in operation, the dreaded invasion by the new 'Capricorn' EMU's was yet to start in earnest, the Covid figures were looking good and just as excitingly there had been a flurry of activity with the remaining four class Ge4/4i locomotives, initially all but withdrawn in 2010! When the green light was finally given to travel to Switzerland without quarantine the trip was booked and the excitement built to get back to what must be one of the best railways in the world. 

Friday 7th August-

Double Re4/4 power as 11300 and 11302 double head a Basel - Zurich away from Frick. 08/08/2020

11133 is captured approaching Frick heading from Zurich to Basel. 08/08/2020

Something of a bonus day, the trip originally being planned to start on the Saturday but amended as there were no flights which would get me onto the railway before mid-afternoon. Travel out to Switzerland was on the 08:15 BA flight from Heathrow to Basel. Coronavirus restrictions meant that the usual pay-for service on BA had been replaced by a complimentary 'meal'- this turned out to be a bag of crisps and a biscuit but I suppose beggars can't be choosers. The flight was busy and even after the short hop we were looking forward to getting out of the airport and taking off our facemasks. The process of actually entering Switzerland was delayed a little when one of our party blathered their way through the 'France / Germany' exit rather than following signs for Switzerland (there is a way back across a few floors higher as it turns out)- this cost us a bus to Basel station, but the connection onto our first train was still secure. Basel main station is currently undergoing refurbishment of the roof which does nothing to aid photography, but it should look good when finished. 

An unidentified Re4/4 passes Frick heading east with a mixed freight. 08/08/2020

Much freight is now in the hands of newer locomotives such as blue
Vectron 193 492 which is seen heading west. 08/08/2020

Since we had a bonus day here it was decided to take our time reaching Chur and stop off for some standard gauge action. Re4/4 11112 was boarded to Frick on the 12:11 to Zurich- a great start to the trip with classic traction and some 'fresh air' stock. The photo location at Frick is a 20-25 minute walk south of the station and sees plenty of freight and the hourly Re4/4 hauled service between Zurich and Basel. Unfortunately the trains didn't really play ball with the vast majority of the freight traffic heading the 'wrong' way with only 4 of the 15 freights seen over the four hours going in the right direction, none of which were worked by the classic Swiss traction we had hoped to see. Switzerland experiencing the same heatwave as back home left us a little hot and bothered so we flagged the first unit on to Zurich and set up in the station bar for a much needed beer before picking up 11112 (again!) on to Zurich.

'Lion' Re420 219 is stabled outside Zurich Hbf. 08/08/20

We were aware that staying a little longer than originally planned at Frick due to the nice weather had cost us the chance to take an Re4/4 to Chur and we therefore took our first ride on one of the SBB 'Twindexx' units, which to be fair are very pleasant to travel in. The views along Lake Zurich were stunning and the temptation to step off and join the many bathers was certainly real. On arrival into Chur we checked into the Hotel Post for 4 nights and headed out for a very nice meal of Cordon Bleu overlooking the street running section of the Arosa line, it still being warm enough to sit outside in shorts. 

Another Basel - Zurich services rolls past our photospot heading east at Frick. 08/08/2020

Saturday 8th August-

Ge4/4ii 633 heads towards Trin through the Rhein Gorge with a train for Disentis. The area is popular for outdoor sports including kayaking and paddle boarding on the river. 09/08/20.

Ge4/4i 610 Pauses at Trin as we overtake on another service. 08/08/20.

Despite the provision of fans it is fair to say that none of our group got a good night's sleep with temperatures staying well above 20 degrees all night. Still refreshed after breakfast it was down to the station to satisfy one of the main objectives of this trip and get one of the ancient Ge4/4i's in the book. A regular turn for the veterans this summer has been the tourist 'Rheinschlucht' train which carries open top coaches on three runs at weekends through the Rhein Gorge from various pick up stations from Landquarts to Ilanz. Ge4/4i 610 was allocated the job today and was enjoyed from Chur to Castriche, even on the first run the sun cream was out and it was more than warm enough for shorts in the open coaches. After picking up Ge4/4ii 611 back to Reichenau-Tammins the attention turned to a day of photography. 

One of the major goals of this trip was to both photograph and ride behind one of the veteran
Ge4/4i's dating from 1947. This was achieved easily thanks to the Rheinschlucht tourist
train which ran all weekend with 610 'Viamala' seen here west of Versam-Safien. 09/08/20.

The LGB loco, Ge4/4ii 617 is seen heading towards Chur between Trin and
Reichinau-Tammins on 9th August 2020.

First some views were taken in of the new bridge at Reichenau-Tammins before heading back along the gorge towards Trin to capture the returning Rheinschlucht with 610. A decent hike then followed to take us by way of Bonaduz to a viewpoint overlooking the gorge - the self service ice cream freezer on the way very much required! 

The final spot of the day was down at the river by Versam Safien reached behind 611, which as well as providing a spot to paddle also provided a beer (and plenty of free wasps). Several trains were photographed from the riverside, a shot we had been meaning to attempt for several visits, before it was time to head back to Chur once again behind 611 which was rapidly becoming a pest! 

Having initially arrived too early for the sun the group were rewarded after waiting for the perfect conditions as red Ge4/4ii 618 rounded the corner with a train to Disentis. This shot at Versam-Safien was another that had long been on the list and felt good to have now achieved. 09/08/20.

The Ge4/4iii is less common traction through the Rhein gorge, however
651 in Glaicer Express colours is seen heading a Schol-Tarasp
to Disentis train east of Reichenau-Tammins on 9th August 2020.

Two of our group required the track up to Arosa so tonight having had an early finish in the Rhein gorge we headed up on an Allegra to the end of the line for dinner. This couldn't have worked out better as despite being fully booked we were able to find a nice spot at the bar of the Guttershuppen restaurant located in the former goods shed. The food was great and the drinks went down so well that on the journey back down to Chur the Allegra units were 'officially' declared the 'Best EMU's ever'... 

Sunday 9th August-

The first steam tour of the day featured Ge4/5 107 'Albula' on a circular trip from Landquarts via Thusis, Filisur, Davos and Klosters. The loco here is seen climbing up-grade approaching Bonaduz. 09/08/2020.

A tricky day for all the right reasons- there was just too much going on on the RhB today to cover everything- As well as the Rheinschlucht train there was a full days circular steam tour operating with G4/5 107 'Albula' from Landquart, while G3/4 11 'Heidi' was undertaking a number of short trips between Samadan, Pontresina and St. Moritz; this still doesn't take in the normal heritage 'crocodile' runs between Davos and Filisur! 

For the steepest section of the line from Thusis to Davos the steam locomotive and it's tour was topped by Rhaetian 'Croc' Ge6/6i 414, the tank wagon is for fighting any lineside fires that may be caused. The interesting formation (though less photogenic with the croc on the front) is seen here approaching Tiefencastle. 09/08/2020.

Turning Ge5/6 107 on the turntable at Filisur requires some manual labour. 09/08/20.

We started by using the Rheinschlucht, again with 610, purely as a positioning move to Reichenau-Tammins from where we walked to a spot at Bonaduz to catch the G4/5 working up gradient. From Thusis it would be topped by an electric so there were few chances to catch the train unassisted. From here it was further up the line by way of Thusis, and then picking up Ge4/4iii 647 on to Tiefencastel. Here I parted with the rest of the group as I had identified a photo opportunity approaching Tiefencastle while they would head on to Filisur. 

Old and new traction at Filisur

My plan worked well as after catching the train, now lead by 'Crocodile' Ge6/6i 414 I was able to get back to the train before it left the station- Enquiring if I could hop in to Filisur the first member of staff quickly told me that I could not as this was a special excursion- the second however could see that I was well aware of this fact and for a nominal fee I was on board to enjoy the run over Landwasser to Filisur. 

There was time for a beer stop on arrival and also to watch as the formation was shunted and the steam locomotive turned. The group went separate was again at this point - I continued up to Samedan to meet with 'Heidi' while the others continued the chase with the main tour heading on towards Klosters. 

The other steam tour on the network was in the Engadine valley running from Samedan. G3/4 Heidi is seen here between Punt Muragl Staz and Celerina with its penultimate run of the day. 09/08/2020

Ge4/4iii 646 in the smart 'BUGA' pauses at
Filisur with a train for St. Moritz. 09/08/2020

My hunger was met by one of the Gormio coaches on the Allegra hauled train up to St. Moritz. It was hot in the coach but it would have been rude not to since there was just one spare table. I had almost finished my lunch by the time we pulled into St. Moritz and now just had to find 'Heidi' for my short steam trip and to cover my last piece of required track on the route, the short leg from here to Pontresina. In order to also get some photos I only took the steam for two of the three legs I had paid for, leaving 'Heidi' behind at Samedan and taking 627 up to Pontresina in order to get ahead. Most of the stations here are within walking distance and after having taken a Bernina train back to Punt Moragl Staz I was able to complete the journey back to Celerina by foot, photographing 'Heidi' twice in the process. 

Ge4/4ii 612 'Thusis' was my reward after a lengthy 'brisk' walk in the afternoon sun. It leads a St. Moritz - Landquart train heading down the valley from Saas. 09/08/2020.

Ge4/4ii 627 celebrating 100 years of the Chur - Arosa line is seen shortly
after departing from Pontresina with a push-pull train for Schol-Tarasp. 09/08/20.

My friends had by now set up in the station bar at Saas, quite a long way from my location on the Engadine! An Allegra unit back to Samadan put me onto a very fresh looking 615 for a run along the Engadine line to Saglians, connecting onto our old friend 611 through the Vereina tunnel and down to Saas. My friends however were not at the bar, but a good 20 minutes up the line taking photos- a brisk walk got me to the location in time to photograph the next train, from St. Moritz before finally making it back to the station an hour later to pick up 625 heading back to Chur- With the light as it was however it would have been rude not to photograph the train, this was duly done before a mad dash to end up back on the train myself. A hot sweaty mess landed on the busy train much in need of a shower and some food!

Monday 10th August-

Ge6/6ii 704 hauls one of the regular RhB freight turns at the furthest end of the Albula line as it approaches Bever, bound for Samedan. 10/08/2020.

With the town of S-Chanf in the distance Ge6/6ii 705 is seen pulling a freight
towards Zernez and onwards via the Veriena tunnel towards
Klosters and Landquart. 10/08/2020.

Today's activity would depend on what we could gleam from the allocations given to members of the RhB club - an extra expense but one that would prove invaluable for getting the photos we wanted. We had seen our Ge4/4i on the tourist 'Rheinschlucht' but what we really wanted was to see one in it's 'natural habitat' pulling a proper RhB train. A regular turn had been the freight duty to Ilanz, but alas the two locomotives based out of Landquart had no work today- to see the 600's in action we would need to head up to the Engadine line, and to make the plan worthwhile this involved an early start to take the 05:10 mixed train from Chur to Samedan. The mixed trains are allocated to the, also elderly, Ge6/6ii locomotives hauling a coach or two and then freight wagons- 705 being allocated to our train. 

Snaking high above the River Inn, Ge4/4ii 630 is propelling a train for Pontresina away from Madulain in the Engadine valley. The Inn originates west of St. Moritz and is the only river in Switzerland to drain into the Black Sea by way of the Danube with which it has its confluence at Passau in German. 10/08/20.

Ge4/4ii 616 'Filisur' carries a special livery promoting the restoration of RhB #1, the oldest steam locomotive of Rhaetian Railways. The livery includes a barometer tracking funding progress - the latest bar to be added to it was in late 2019- more details on the project are at rhaetia1.ch. The locomotive is seen here at the head of a St.Moritz - Landquart services passing the church at Bever. 10/08/20.

Some serious pulling power - Allegra ABe 8/12 5303 has a trailing load of 12 vehicles 
consisting of an articulated 'Alvra' set and 5 conventional coaches as it nears
the end of its journey up the Albula line from Chur to St. Moritz. 10/08/20.

Dinner had been purchased the night before and it was most certainly still dark as 705 pulled out of Chur. Light emerged from behind the mountains as we headed up the Albula pass with daylight very much in evidence as we traversed its spirals and loops. We left 705 at Bever and after photographing another freight, led by 702, headed further down the Engadine behind Ge4/4ii 619. We had photos lined up at Madulain, and then by way of 630 at S-Chamf. The early start is necessary here to beat the sun before it comes off the front of the, generally north facing, Pontresina - Scuol-Tarasp push-pull services. Happy with the shots, including of 705 now with a 'proper' freight we headed back to Bever behind 612, there were a couple of shots to be taken here the highlight of which was Ge4/4i 603 with a returning construction train from the new Albula tunnel works. Fortunately we were in position early as the train ran around an hour ahead of when we were expecting! A good decision was made to wait for a shot of an Albula line train with one of the GE4/4iii locos 646 in the slightly amusing 'BÜGA' livery, followed by an unexpected freight in the hands of 704. Also seen here were some impressively long Albula formations, one led by one of the 'best ever' Allegra EMU's hauling a 7 car Alvra set and 5 further conventional coaches- say what you want about the Allegra's but they've definitely got some pulling power!

From the banks of the Inn, freshly painted Ge4/4ii 615 'Klosters' is
seen with a push/pull train bound for Schol-Tarasp. 10/08/20.

The oldests loco we would see on the trip, Ge4/4i 603 'Silvretta' with the short freight
from Samedan to Zernez approaches its destination. 10/08/2020.

Happy to have 603 in the bag the GE4/4i chase was not over. 605, the other loco based at Samedan was allocated to the Zernez freight turn which, after a ride behind 612, was photographed on the curve approaching its destination (the only place one can really see a northbound train with light on the front at this time of day). With three of the extant 4 Ge4/4i's photographed in sunshine we weren't too disappointed when the weather clouded over. Zernez had a final surprise in the form of Infrastructure diesel loco Gmf4/4 23403 with a ballast train. We had seen the shiny yellow loco light engine earlier and it was good to catch up with this fairly rare, if unattractive, beast. 

Ge4/4ii 617 works a Landquart - St. Moritz train through the curve and away from Zernez. 10/08/2020.

Tmf 2/4 undertakes station work at Zernez. The load is an old rail bridge
 on a flatbed wagon. After some shunting this would be removed by 
 the station crane. Scenes which simply don't happen at home! 10/08/20.

Our journey continued on by way of 630 towards Ardez for our final photostop of the day. By this point the clouds were starting to look quite threatening and despite arriving in sunshine it was soon clear that we would not get the photo we wanted. After watching 630 return in increasingly gloomy conditions a decision was made to call time on the shot and take the next Disentis train back to our base in Chur. It had been a fruitful day and we could always try this shot again. No sooner had we departed from Ardez behind 618 and our decision was verified- a huge rainstorm would have drenched us and we definitely would not have got the shot!

Tuesday 11th August-

A railcar formed of a Be 4/4 motor coach pushing trailers punctuates the mountain scenerey between Davos Glaris and Davos Frauenkirch with a service from Filisur to Davos Platz. Along with much of the current RhB fleet these railcars are due to be replaced by the incoming 'Capricorn' EMU's. 11/08/20.

Ge6/6i 415 works the Filisur - Davos heritage train alongside the Landwasser river
with the first morning trip to Davos Platz. The train contains heritage coaches as 
well as open viewing wagons. 11/08/20.

Again no Ge4/4i on the Ilanz freight (it was a Ge4/4ii, with a Ge4/4iii on the mixed - unusual but certainly not what we wanted!) and with a good weather forecast for the morning we headed up to Filisur on an Allegra- the aim was to achieve the final item on our trips tick list- the Ge6/6i 'Crocodile' which works two tourist trips a day between Davos Platz and Filisur. We had attempted to photograph this two years previously at Davos Glaris but got caught out by a last minute cloud- it was one of the attractive Be4/4 railcars that took us to Davos Glaris on this occasion for us to find ourselves in that same position by the river. The clouds didn't treat all of us kindly but by the time the return working had passed we all had a shot to be pleased with. Taking us (and today our luggage) on to the Engadine was Ge4/4iii 645, with 647 continuing to Samedan- where else in the world can you take a train with both a full dining service and freight wagons attached to the back!?

Ge4/4ii 619 works a Davoz Platz - Fillisur service. These trains interwork with services between Landquart and Davos and can turn up any kind of traction. 11/08/20.

Ge6/6ii 707 stands at Samedan having arrived with a freight. 11/08/20.

After checking into the Hotel Terminus it was time for some more Engadine photography, first at S-Chanf (by way of 630) where the Zernez freight was seen returning, light engine for a second day in a row, before again heading on to Ardez behind 619 while other members of the group headed back to St. Moritz and Samadan to become the last of us to scratch in all the RhB track! The cloud unfortunately closed in again and after a run to Schol-Tarasp just for fun another cloudy photo here was achieved. Fortunately the village is picturesque, has a 'Volg' convenience store and a supply of postcards. 

The first built Ge4/4ii 611 is seen outside S-Chanf with a train from Landquart to St. Moritz. 11/08/20.

GE3/3 215 shunts postal wagons at Samedan. 11/08/20.

GE4/4ii 619 arrived to retrace our steps back to S-Chamf just incase the light was better here (it wasn't) and also get us into position for some dinner. A slight diversion occurred when we spotted a pop-up tent/bar on the mountainside, so a beer was enjoyed here before heading back into town to a restaurant we had scoped out earlier. Despite being denied fondu (you have to order a day before) a lovely potato rosti was produced that was more than sufficient to get us home. Part of the reason for eating here was to drop onto one of the other fairly anti-socially timed 'mixed' trains, this time from Klosters to Samedan and hauled by 703. There was just time to grab a few night shots of the shunting at Samedan before crossing the road to our hotel bar. 

Ge6/6ii 705 is illuminated by the station lights at Samedan as it waits to depart with an evening freight. 11/08/2020.

Wednesday 12th August-

The RhB train, pushed by Ge4/4ii 616 pales into insignificance within the vast landscape of the Engadine valley. Ardez, 12/08/2020.

Our first train of the day arrives into Samedan behind Ge4/4ii 627. 12/08/20.

Our final morning dawned with great weather yet again, and once again our target after breakfast was the Engadine line. The intention had been to head straight to Ardez, this time to try the morning shot, but while en route behind Ge4/4ii 627 we overtook our infrastructure diesel loco friend, Gmf4/4 23403 which we had earlier seen departing from Samedan from the hotel window. Since the loco had a load of ballast wagons and was clearly heading the same way we were a quick decision was taken to disembark at S-Chamf in the hope of getting a shot of it. Sure enough the plan worked and both 23403 and Ge4/4ii 630 working a St. Moritz - Landquarts train were photographed in very pleasing light. Back to plan A it was now the turn of 615 to take us forward. 

An unplanned but very pleasing shot of Gmf4/4 23403 working a short ballast train seen approaching S-Chanf. 12/08/2020.

While the sun shone at Ardez this time we were still slightly disappointed with the shots - the red Ge4/4ii's we always longed for didn't show and instead we photographed Ge4/4iii 642 on it's train from Disentis to Schol-Tarasp, followed by Ge4/4ii 619 in it's 'not red' livery! We could have stayed another hour but after our earlier diversion the light would likely have come round too far- plus I wanted to try a shot at Lavin- that didn't go so well and with the clouds now building it was soon time to head back towards Samedan with 627. The final aim of the trip, after picking up our bags was to get a ride behind Ge6/6i 415, the 'Crocodile' currently working the Filusur - Davos Platz tourists trips. 

Not the hoped for red Ge4/4ii, but still a pleasing shot as Ge4/4iii 642 approaches Ardez with a train from Disentis to Schol-Tarasp. 12/08/2020.

GE3/3 215 once again shunts postal wagons at Samedan.
These would shortly be shunted onto the rear of our train to Chur. 12/08/20.

After having some postal wagons attached to the rear it was 'BÜGA' loco 646 that took us to Filisur for an Alegra (with normal coach added of course) to Davos Wiesen where we would attempt the shot of the Crocodile crossing the impressive viaduct. This impressive viewpoint could be in the middle of the wilderness but is actually only a 5 minute walk from the station, heading back along the line on a walkway suspended from the side of the viaduct. A bottle of 'Monsteiner Krokodil' from the station bar was company as we waited and hoped the sun would play ball. I'm pleased to say it did and the happy photographers traipsed back across the viaduct content with an excellent week of photography and ready to get the one last line in the book with 415 hauling us in the historic train from Davos Weisen to Davos Platz. It really was the last line in the book for the RhB as the train onward to Landquart was an Alegra unit, with a tight connection at Landquart onto the 18:09 Chur - Basel which was a Twindex unit. It was almost an annoyance when an IC2000 set appeared to take us the short hop to Zurich Flughaven - it meant I had to run all the way front to identify Re460 115, and it is a long way! 

Two generations of Ge6/6 as 703 and 415 line up at Davos Platz. 12/08/20.

As it turns out we had arrived at the airport in plenty of time, so there would be no problem getting some food once we were airside- or so we thought. Zurich airport was a ghost town with only one more flight scheduled to leave behind ours - need I add that all the shops and stalls were firmly closed, and no chance of using the water fountain either. Far too dangerous! I would have to rely on EasyJet for food, but their best offering turned out to be a small tube of Pringles- Gatwick is it then. Oh wait- all closed there too... Kebab shop once I'm home it is then! 

Effectively the last shot of the trip, and time to celebrate the success that it had been- 'Crocodile' Ge6/6ii 415 crosses the Wiesen vaiduct at Davos Wiesen while a 'Monstiener Krokodil' beer from the station bar is enjoyed. 12/08/2020. 

Conclusions-

An articulated 'Alvra' coaching set is pushed by an 'Allegra' EMU over the new Rhein
bridge at Reichenau-Tammins. 08/08/2020.

Getting away has certainly been more of a challenge this year than any of us could have anticipated! While I've had a few great trips to the RhB and there are more exotic places on the hit list this seemed a fairly 'safe' and reliable place to head once restrictions had been eased, especially since there were a willing couple of friends itching to go. Switzerland was great, despite the face masks which are compulsory on all public transport. Once again the sun shone and I've come away with a great selection of images. Pretty much all classes of RhB traction were sampled, though I still need a ride on the Bernina railcars, a line which we did not touch on this trip. Unfortunately my last Ge4/4ii for a photo, 614 stayed on maintenance at Landquarts for the whole trip, and my final Ge6/6ii, 701 had recently been reported as withdrawn- the first of the class to succumb. 

Ge4/4ii's 615 and 618 line up at Samedan on the evening of 11th August 2020. Several locos in the area appeared to be freshly painted and looked very smart. 

A repeat of a photo from my first trip to the RhB back in 2017, 
only this time the Rhein valley is a feast of green as Ge4/4ii 629 
heads towards Reichenau-Tammins. Back in 2017 the scene 
was one of snow and bare trees!

The nature of these photography trips doesn't lend itself to 'bashing' locos, and as a result there are still seven Ge4/4ii's on my required list, including the illusive 614. The resurgence in regular work for the Ge4/4i's was a real bonus this year and we were well pleased to catch three of the remaining 4 on camera, 602 being on maintenance at Landquart following a derailment earlier in the month. Membership of the RhB club is certainly helpful tracking these down on anything but their seemingly regular Rheinschlucht turn.

The face of the future, Abe4/16 'Capricorn' EMU 3113 is on test at Davos Wiesen
 - fortunately one of very few sightings of the class on this trip. 11/08/2020.

The long standing threat of more EMU's in the form of the Capricorn units is ever looming but did not disrupt this trip in the slightest - in fact aside from one or two awful 'out the window' shots we didn't get a chance to photograph them and only one was seen in passenger service, between Davos and Klosters and one other on test. A couple more units occupy sidings. Clearly there is no mad rush to 'Capricorn' the line though it is clear that their impact will be felt once they finally do enter traffic. The recent announcement of an add-on order certainly isn't good news either! That said there will have to remain some decent trains on this network- a 3 car EMU is never going to replace all of the loco hauled stock currently in use, and often busy. I'll certainly be back on this line again (though I know I really do need to explore some others!)- even once the EMU invasion is complete it is clear that there will still be a full program of tourist trains and the scenery isn't going anywhere! For those wanting to enjoy the network at it's best do act now. 

GE4/4ii 625 'Kublis' heads downgrade at Saas. It was quite a dash to make it back to the station to board the very same train, but with such great lighting I couldn't resist attempting the picture. 09/08/2020.

Ge4/4ii 627 heads away from S-Chamf with a Pontresina to 
Schol-Tarasp push-pull service. 10/08/2020

Also noticeable since my last visit to the standard gauge lines is the reduction in 'traditional' Swiss locos. Our time at Frick did produce a number of Re4/4 and Re6/6 locos (all heading the wrong way of course), but the number of Vectrons now present was very noticeable. The Re4/4's also continue to loose passenger work, the Chur axis particularly now being a relative stronghold for the Twindex units with only a few Re4/4's each day and even less evidence of any Re460's. I guess I shall just have to get back before it's all gone... 

Re4/4 11135 approaches Frick with a Zurich - Basel working. These hourly trains are one of the last strongholds for the class on passenger duties. 07/08/2020.

Rhaetian Crocodile Ge6/6 415 heads through typical picturesque Swiss countryside as it heads the tourist special from Davos Platz - Filisur. 11/08/2020.