The grand tour. Day 28. Aachen to Calais.

05 Monday Oct 2026

Posted by Paul Bigland in France, Germany, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

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adventure, europe, France, life, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel, writing

Today I’m homeward bound and heading for the coast to get a ferry back to the UK, but not without exploring some very different styles of architecture. I left Aachen aboard one of DB’s fleet of ICE trains, which are without doubt the best trains I’ve used on this trip. The levels of comfort in 1st Class are hard to beat, plus the fact they can nip along at up to 250kph. In just over 20 minutes I was across the border and at my first stop, Leige’s Guillemins station, which is a stunning piece of modern architecture. I was there in ideal conditions too as it was another beautifully sunny day, which really showed off the station’s roof to best effect.

Having spent a couple of hours admiring and photographing the place I moved on by local Belgian trains which left a bit to be desired – even in 1st Class. Whilst the double deck coach I travelled in had plug sockets, there was no wifi. Plus, there was a problem with the sockets if you’re using UK plugs with an adaptor. You have to use the plug upside down, but there’s so little room between the socket and the seat cushion that they don’t fit – which is why this blog’s a day late!

Still, the train was comfortable and uncrowded and I got to Brussels on time to catch my next connection to Tournai. This was a station I passed through on my first day. I didn’t have time to stop and explore then but I was fascinated by the sheer size of the station building. This time I decided to tarry and I’m glad that I did as it’s a classic – both inside and out.

Moving on again I changed trains ay Lille – where there’s desks with plug sockets on the concourse for anyone to use – before arriving in Calais, another place I didn’t have time to explore on my inward trip. This time I did. What a contrast to Dover, its counterpoint across the channel, which is a bit of a shithole. Calais has life and vibrancy, some attractive restaurants and cafes – and this…

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If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

The grand tour. Day 27. A slight diversion…

04 Sunday Oct 2026

Posted by Paul Bigland in Community rail, Germany, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, The Netherlands, Travel

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Germany, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, The Netherlands, Travel

After making contact with some Dutch commmunity rail colleagues I ended up making a little diversion – and visiting the 12th country of this trip. I realised that Aachen was only a couple of hours by rail from an award winning station which I’ve had the pleasure to judge in the community rail awards but never been able to visit. Stationspark Deurne.

So, this morning I put that right by crossing the border on a two hour long trip via Eindhoven. I’ve not travelled on Dutch mational rail operator NS (Nederlands Spoorwegen) for several years and certainly not in 1st Class. I must admit, it was a little underwhelming and also rather dated. Most of my trips were on their double-deck EMUs, where the upper deck is split 60/40 with standard class. The biggest difference is that in 1st you get 2+1 seating and a bit more legroom. Power sockets are provided but there’s only one between a pair of seats. If you’re in a solo seat you’re stuffed!

First class on a Dutch double-deck EMU is a bit Spartan.

Still, the sun was shining, it was an easy 2 hour journey via Eindhoven and the reception I got at stationspark Deurne from Michel Lintermans and his wife Frieda was worth the trip! As well as a tour of their community station garden and artwork – I also got fed some regional delicacies!

Sitting with Michel outside the community garden

Apple and Plum tart. Extremely tempting as it was – I was good and only had small slice of each. It’s a regional delicacy known as Vlaai.

Whilst this was my 12th country since leaving the UK it was the first where I’ve encounterd ticket barriers like these at Eindhoven Centraal.

Oh, another observation about Dutch railways. Toilets.

I went for a pee on the train but found both toilets were out of use. Annoying, but We were only a few minutes away from Heerlen where I was changing trains. Only both station toilets were knackered too. Bugger! As I wasn’t going to risk being caught short again if the bogs were screwed on the next train I ended up having a pee off the end of one of the platforms. That’s fine for me as a bloke, but what about women?

19:45.

I’m now back in my (new) hotel in Aachen and relaxing in the hotel whilst downloading today’s pictures from the camera. Toilet problems aside, I have to admire Dutch social infrastructure. The amount of car-free space puts the UK to shame, but to be fair that’s true of just about every country that I’ve visited on this trip. travelling around Europe makes you realise just how backward the UK is when it comes to our love of the motor car and motorists attitude to anything that they see as being ‘anti motorist’ rather than what it really is. Pro people.

Tomorrow I make my way back through Belgium and France to Calais, where I’ll be spending the night before catching a ferry the next morning to deposit me in Dover and return to the septic Isle. Part of me is looking forward to it, another part isn’t. But hey – I still have tomorrow…

Cheers,

Paul

The grand tour. Day 26. Zurich to Aachen.

03 Saturday Oct 2026

Posted by Paul Bigland in Germany, Photography, Railways, Switzerland, The Grand Tour, Travel

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Germany, Photography, Railways, Switzerland, The Grand Tour, Travel

08;30.

I’d planned to have a lie-in this morning and get a later train but my body clock seems to be permanently set at 06:00 so as I was awake I thought ‘bugger it’, had a shower, packed and made my way across a very quiet Zurich to the station. The only people who were out that morning were joggers of all nationalities and a handful of people on their way to work. Some cafes were already open, catering for early birds like me.

I arrived at the station in plenty of time to catch the 08:37 to Stuttgart Hbf, a loco-hauled Intercity service make up of double-deck coaches and operated by DB, so I have wifi and plug sockets up here in 1st Class. One thing I found puzzling about Swiss trains was their lack of on-board wifi. Still, now I can recharge my laptop and blog en-route.

09:13.

We’re currently crawling along at about 15mph and have been for the past 10 or more minutes, but our reduced speed was rather useful when we passed through Rheinfall as it gave plenty of time to admire the magnificent waterfall and surrounding historic building. This has now been added to my list of places to see on a future visit.

I’ll add some picture later today when I’ve sorted out some other things.

09:45.

Having seamlessly crossed the border from Switzerland and Germany, my train reversed (with an engine change) at a town called Singen. It’s a busy railway junction and freight artery judging by the amount of locomotives parked up ready to take over trains. The trees that line the route in this part of Southern Germany are signalling the arrival of autumn through the complex palette of colours their leaves are displaying.

10:30.

We’ve just left Rottweil, a name that may be known by some dog owners! Beside the canine interest there’s what appears to be a working rail museum here judging by the variety of old steam and diesel engines plus sundy other vehicles that are present.

10:53.

I’m now at Horb, another junction for local services the also possesses a small railway works that appears to refurbish old coaches, wagons and locomotives. The once extensive freight yard has shrunk but there’s still traffic. All the old signalboxes are disused but still extant. A tall one that used to guard the station is swathed in scaffolding and appears to being restored.

In true DB fashion due to all the slow running thanks to engineering work we’re now running 10 minutes late. Horb looks like a lovely little town, spread across a river valley with pretty houses and whitewashed churches. If only I had more time to explore…

13:30.

I’ve changed trains in Stuggart HbF which is undergoing a major transformation since I was last here in 2009. The station concourse has been demolished to make space to build the new Stuttgart 21 project. Essentially (in Stuttgart anyway), they’re replacing a terminus with a through station that’s being built underground. It was a controversial project that attracted protests – just like HS2 in the UK. Just like in the UK, those protests failed to stop the project. Here’s the view from atop the visitors centre.

The old station building’s to the left, Stuttgart 21 in the middle and the existing platforms and trainshed to the right.

With the fact the station platforms are cut off from a concourse and circulating space is at a minimum, the station was chaos. Especially today as people arrived for a gay pride event, whilst dozens of others wandered around in traditional Lederhosen and Dirndl on their way to Oktoberfest events. I had little time to grab pictures (but there will be some later) before catching the 12;49 ICE bound for Berlin. It was a busy train – even in 1st class, but I managed to find a seat. Mind you, I was only going 30 mins down the road to Mannheim, so it would have been no big deal, although I did enjoy bowling aling through the countryside at 249kph!

At Mannheim I had a seamless cross-platform interchange with another ICE bound for Hamburg, but this one is virtually empty. I’m on it as for as Köln (or Cologne as it’s known in English).

Cheers,

Paul

The grand tour day 21. Bye, bye Berlin.

28 Monday Sep 2026

Posted by Paul Bigland in Berlin, Germany, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

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10:18.

I had a lovely (if late) night with and old friend and colleague from my Siemens days. Ellen no longer works for Siemens Mobility which means we don’t get to see each other as often, so it was great to spend the evening catching up.

Adding to my interesting mix of hotels, last nights bed was in a homestay. I stayed with a lovely German chap of Lebanese birth who rents out the spacious spare room in his apartment in the Gesundbrunnen district. The area’s a multi-ethnic melting pot with a great mix of cafes and local restaurants with food to suit all tastes.

Now I’m packing up and heading to Berlin HbF to dump my suitcase before going for a wander. Back with pictures soon…

13:30.

Having made it to the Hauptbahnhof the first job was to leave my bag, which is easier said than done. Left luggage lockers of a decent size were at a premium. I enxed up going round and round for about 10 minutes until I found one that was free. It reminded me of motorists driving round a busy car park, hoping someone will leave! The other thing is the toilets, which take the pee in more ways than one. I’ve rarely seen a queue for a gents, but the HbF achieves it, mainly because they charge a €1.50 and the machine is so slow queues build up.

Bag dumped I headed back to Geshundbrunnen with the idea of getting pictures in the area. There’s an old WW2 flak tower which I wanted to visit, but as I was taking pictures at the station a Polish train came in that was heading across the border at Frankfurt (Oder). I stayed there during my last Innotrans in 2022. The train was only going to take an hour to cover the journey so I thought “why not?”. I quickly entered the trip details in my Interrail ticket app and there you go! I’m now paying a flying visit to Frankfurt!

This train has a buffet car and if the journey was longer I’d have been very tempted to have polished off a Polish lunch on board!

Today’s mix of travellers includes an American family (unusual) and a handful of medal wearing Poles on their way home from yesterday’s Berlin marathon.

15:30.

Well, that was fun! I was in Frankfurt (Oder) for little more than an hour but I discovered some interesting history – both railway and political, as well as getting some useful pictures. I also made sure the train I booked back to Berlin was another Polish service in order to eat in the buffet car, where I treated myself to a traditional Polish shoup with dark bread.

East German railways (DR) live on at Frankfurt (Oder) in the shape of these old Class 243 locomotives which still bear the livery and branding of the past.

Traditional Polish Rye soup. Made with bacon, boiled egg, white sausage, onion, garlic, horseradish and marjoram.

Just by the station is a fascinating memorial to staff who lived (and died) in railway service – no matter where borders changed.

23:45.

Having had a fantastic time in Berlin and a goodbye beer with Ellen in a biergarten by the Hauptbahnhof I’m now heading for Switzerland. I was worried that trains might be busy so I booked 1st class seats. I needen’t have worried. My coach is almost empty. Right now I’m on ICE699 which is bound for Munich, although I’ll be transferring to another service at Frankfurt. Only DB being DB have helpfully texted me to say my connection’s running 40 minutes late. Good job I didn’t book my onward trip from there, eh?

Still, I’m enjoying the luxury of an uncrowded 1st Class ICE. Let’s hope the next one’s the same, but now it’s time to get a couple of hours sleep.

Cheers,

Paul

The grand tour. Day 20. Back to Berlin…

27 Sunday Sep 2026

Posted by Paul Bigland in Germany, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

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Dresden, europe, Germany, History, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

with my time in Dresden being short I was up early in order to enjoy a lighting walking tour of the Alstadt (old town). With it being early – and a Sunday, Dresden was very quiet indeed – which made picture taking so much easier! The weather Gods has smiled upon me too as we had yet more blue skies. Dresden is another European city where the sheer size and scale of the buildings can’t fail to impress. What’s also impressive is the way the city has been restored after the terrible bombings it suffered at the hands of the British and Americans towards the end of World War 2, in February1945.

I’d loved to have stayed and explored more. Not just the city itself but also the expansive rail network. The city’s very much a hub for freight traffic which is interesting to see for a Briton brought up in a country that’s done its best to get freight off (not on) the railways.

The countryside around Dresden looks interesting too. There’s rolling hills and what look like vineyards, which is a refreshing change from the flatness of the areas of Scandinavia and Northern Europe that I’ve traversed on this trip so far. I’m looking forward to putting that right…

Now I’m back in Berlin for just over 24 hours before beginning the trek to Southern Europe through countryside that’s anything but flat!

Here’s a couple of pictures from today’s wanderings to whet your appetite.

The Fürstenzug is a mural made of porcelain tiles which depicts Saxon rulers throughout the ages.

This is the Frauenkirche, a Baroque church reconsecrated in 2005 after being destroyed in World War 2.

A DB class 232 pauses at Neustadt for a crew change. nicknamed ‘Ludmillas’ these engines were built by the Soviet Union in Ukraine from 1973-82.

More later…

Cheers,

Paul

The grand tour. Day 19. Berlin to Dresden (and more).

26 Saturday Sep 2026

Posted by Paul Bigland in Berlin, Dresden, Germany, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

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I was sad to check out of my villa this morning. The place was such a peaceful retreat from the madness of Innotrans, and so peaceful. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought that. Last night I met a German couple who were staying there for the same reason as they were attending Innotrans too! He was a test train driver for Alstom, so we ended up having a good chat.

The weather’s reverted to type this morning with blanket sunshine and rising temperatures making it a great day to travel. Having left Werder (Havel) I made my way to Charlottenburg in style as I’m back using my 1st Class Interrail pass. Nipping across central Berlin on the S-Bahn to Ostkreuz I caught IC2175, a loco-hauled train bound for Dresden. It’s a quiet service in my coach, anyway. I’m sat upstairs in a double-deck vehicle with just a handful of other people for the 2 hour journey. We hardly belt along as there’s engineering work along the way. 125kph seems to be tops. But then I’m in no hurry…

12:45.

Here we are – and what a station!

UPDATE;

Sorry this blog ended so abruptly with my arrival in Dresden. That was because I ended up being incredibly busy and made the most of the weather. Having spent a couple of hours basking and taking photographs at the sunny Hauptbahnhof I caught a train back across the river Elbe to Neustadt, the nearest station to my hotel, where I finally managed to dump my suitcase and change into shorts and vest top which was far more appropriate for the weather. I’d no idea which of the seven differently themed rooms I was going to get where I was staying, so the space theme and circular bed were a surprise!

Heading back to Neustadt I followed up on the recommendation from a friend by catching a train to Radebeul Ost where there’s a delightful steam hauled narrow-gauge railway. I was too late to travel on the line as the service is sparse, but I was lucky to catch this loco in action.

I’d have liked to have explored more come the evening, but it had been a long day and a video catch-up with my wife Dawn was more important.

My first impressions of Dresden were very positive. I only wish I was staying longer, but I already know that I’ll be back. This flying visit was unscripted but it’s given me a useful taster of what’s on offer.

Cheers,

Paul

The grand tour. Day 18. Innotrans wraps up.

25 Friday Sep 2026

Posted by Paul Bigland in Berlin, Germany, Innotrans, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

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Today’s the last day of the Innotrans trade fair and I’m back on site for a few hours just to wrap up a few more internal shots of some of the trains. The weather’s overcast and we’ve had more rain overnight, so it’s been ideal conditions for such shots. Now i’m spending a bit of time in the media centre editing pics and planning the next part of my trip which will see me heading to Dresden for one night before returning to Berlin in order to spend an evening with a friend. the next day I’ll be travelling overnight to Zurich in Switzerland, my 10th country on this trip.

I’ll be blogging more later, but first I’ll leave you with a couple of those internal shots from this morning.

This is the most luxurious train of the show. Stadler’s Flirt Nordic Express EMU.

1st Class has some very luxurious reclining seats.

There’s a family coach which even has a Wendy house with slide!

In contrast, here’s details and the interior of CRRC’s commuter Vellink EMU.

1340.

Having done what I wanted to at Innotrans I left by midday. There were lots of things I never got to see (or photograph) but that’s just the way it is – the show’s so vast! Now I’m exploring railways in the ‘wild’ so to speak. First stop was Spandau, which has a great selection of Intercity, regional and local services passing through.

16;55.

I left Spandau on an ICE that took me over new lines to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. It was far quicker than relying on the S-Bahn. From the HbF I headed East to a favourite location of mine, Warschauer Straße. it’s a busy station on the S-bahn in the old East and terminus of the historic U1 line as well as a tram route. Oh, there’s also a Talgo train depot! I’ll add pictures as soon as I can. Now I’m abandoning Berlin before the rush hour ro head to Potsdam for a while to pick up some shopping and breakfast for the morrow. Werder (where I’m staying) is lovely, but shopping is limited to say the least.

Seen from the overbridge at Warschauer Straße, an S-bahn train passes another in the stabling sidings.

The dome of St. Nicholas Church in Potsdam this evening.

Potsdam still operates some of the the old Tatra (Czech built) trams which were a staple of the old Eastern bloc countries.

I’d liked to have explored Potsdam more as it looks to be a lovely city. It certainly has its place in history due to the famous World War 2 Potsdam conference, when Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt carved out the future political shape of Europe. A situation that lasted for more than 40 years, until the fall of the Berlin wall.

Cheers,

Paul

The grand tour. Day 17. Innotrans day 4.

24 Thursday Sep 2026

Posted by Paul Bigland in Berlin, Germany, Innotrans, Photography, Railways, Siemens, The Grand Tour, Travel

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Berlin, europe, Germany, Innotrans, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

Yesterday things didn’t quite go to plan due to the weather staying sunny all day. That and massive crowds of people meant that the idea of getting decent internal shots of some of the new trains for the Nordics, Austria and the UK went out of the window. I spent most of my time trawling the halls for interesting things to photograph instead.

Today’s different. we had rain overnight and the skies remain cloudy, so I’ve made a start at getting pictures. Innotrans will quieten down a lot today – as you can tell by the amount of suitcases left in the luggage area in the main foyer! This afternoon I’ll be heading out to Spandau for a couple of hours on a press trip with Siemens to have a look at an autonomous train they’re testing.

In the meantime, here’s a new selection of pictures from yesterday and today, including from an event this morning when Siemens handed over one of the new London Underground trains to Transport for London.

Michael Peter, CEO Siemens Mobility presents a momento made from the same material as the trains to Andy Lord, Commissioner of Transport for London.

Inside the new tube trains for the Piccadilly line.

Hyundai Rotem unveiled this striking new high speed train model.

Two new OBB Railjet trains were on show, one from Siemens and one from Stadler. This is the interior of the 200kph Stadler KISS

I’ll be adding more later…

21:45.

A small update as it’s been yet another very busy day. Thanks to Siemens a few of us got to ride on and learn about theur autonomus train project. It’s an interesting idea that’s been three years in development. It’s also worth a blog in its own right because it’s a complex project. Here’s the train out at Spandau. Observant eyes may notice that this is the Mireo that aas bult as a hydrogen powered train.

Now it’s days end and I’m kicking back at my villa in Werder. I’ll be back at Innotrans for the final day first thing tomorrow as I have a lot of interesting pictures to add, which include the excellent new train for Norway, which is being built by Stadler.

Cheers,

Paul

The grand tour. Day 16. Innotrans day 3.

23 Wednesday Sep 2026

Posted by Paul Bigland in Berlin, Germany, Innotrans, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

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Berlin, Germany, Innotrans, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

I’m back at Innotrans this morning on a lovely crisp and sunny day. In fact, for some of what I want to do it’s just too sunny! I’ve been concentrating on outdoor shots and mooching around the vast number of halls here. But there’s some really exciting new train interiors to take a look at and photograph, but that’s best done on quieter days and when the sun isn’t streaming through the train windows. As the weather’s due to cloud up later today that’s what I hope to do. In the meantime, here’s a few more pictures form yesterday.

People flood off the S-Bahn at Messe Sud on their way into Innotrans. There will be more than 300,000 people attending over the course of the event.

As well as real trains there’s plenty of models too – like these 400kph Chinese bullet trains from CRRC.

The UK had its own pavilion here at Innotrans, but other British companies could be found elsewhere too – like Rosehill polymers from my own town of Halifax, West Yorkshire!

The world’s press and media are out in force at Innotrans. We have a base to work from in hall 6.3.

At the end of day 1 some company’s lay on a free bar and food for people attending the event. this is the bar at Fraauscher (part of Wabtec)

Cheers,

Paul

The grand tour. Day 15. Innotrans day 2.

22 Tuesday Sep 2026

Posted by Paul Bigland in Berlin, Germany, Innotrans, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

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Berlin, Germany, Innotrans, Photography, Railways, The Grand Tour, Travel

Today Innotrans opens its doors to the world’s rail industry and the madness begins as 1000s of people flood in to look at what’s on offer. Enormous amounts of shoe leather will be expended over the next few days as people tramp the halls or view the outdoor exhibits. I’ll be blogging on and off throughout the day as I visit old friends and colleagues from various companies whilst catching up on new technologies.

Some of the stands here are huge (and expensive). Stadler’s is mid-range…

Dual power locomotives are much on show at the moment. Here’s CZ Loko’s ‘dual shunter 2000’ which rather puts the humble British Class 08 to shame…

14:25.

It’s only early afternoon and I’ve already banked 17,000 steps today! Here’s a few more pictures for your delectation.

Siemens have several stands here but their main one’s the size of a village!

Looking down on the main outdoor exhibit area.

I‘ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Cheers,

Paul

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Category Archives: Germany

The grand tour. Day 28. Aachen to Calais.

The grand tour. Day 27. A slight diversion…

The grand tour. Day 26. Zurich to Aachen.

The grand tour day 21. Bye, bye Berlin.

The grand tour. Day 20. Back to Berlin…

The grand tour. Day 19. Berlin to Dresden (and more).

The grand tour. Day 18. Innotrans wraps up.

The grand tour. Day 17. Innotrans day 4.

The grand tour. Day 16. Innotrans day 3.

The grand tour. Day 15. Innotrans day 2.