Railfanning on 5/15/2017 - The Delmarva Peninsula

Hi, Friend Dale Jacobson and I headed for the Delmarva Peninsula last Monday in the hopes of finding some action on the new Delmarva Central. Unfortunately we got a late start and by the time we got to various locations the action was over.

Our first stop was Harrington, DE. While the train to Clayton usually does not run on Monday we hoped this day would be an exception. It was not to be so we took some roster shots (above and below) and left.

We headed for Seaford, DE where we had learned the Seaford Local was working. On the way we encountered a unit grain train with NS power at a feed mill. This was the first unit with an Crescent Cab I have seen.

Upon arrival in Seaford, DE we encountered one of the local's crew. They had finished their work for the day and were to be taxied up to the grain train to take it north. More roster shots (above and below).

Next it was on to Delmar where we hoped to find the Delmar local working. The units were working in their small yard in Delmar, MD. Almost immediately they pulled and pushed some cars up toward the MD/DE line (route 54). About three blocks from the state line they cut off from the cars they were pulling and pushed the remaining car into Maryland. Then they quit for 2 hours until they could service the grain elevator north north of town.

Here are two views of the locomotives and the car sitting just north of the state line.

Unwilling to just hang around we decided to check out the Maryland & Delaware but they had quit for the day by the time we got Federalsburg, MD.

Below is a summary of Delmarva Central information Dale and I were able to glean from the people we talked to:

Train                                    Call Time                      Operating Limits

HA-1                                     8:00 AM                       Harrington to Clayton and return.

HA-2                                     7:00 PM                       Harrington to Delmar and return.

HA-3                                     6:00 PM                       Harrington to Indian River and return.

Delmar Day Local                7:00 AM                      Works at least south to Salisbury and
                                                                                   north to Laurel.

Delmar Night Job                 7:00 PM                       Runs as far south as Pocomoke City and
                                                                                   return; does other work as needed.

Seaford Local                       7:00 AM                       Seaford and north.

Dover Local                          2:00 PM                       Dover area.

Thanks for looking.

Trains and Trams in Europe - 4/9 to 4/27/2017 - 4

Hi, The first three photos were inadvertently omitted from the earlier post on Basel.

Our next stop was Strasbourg where the remaining photos in this post were taken. All of the trams we saw were modern. As our boat spent the night in Strasbourg we had an opportunity to ride some of the trams too. Tickets were good for 24 hours from time of validation.

After our walking tour on April 15, Jim and Cathy Kleeman, and I headed for the railroad station. It was relatively small compared to Lucerne and Basel. A huge clear protective shield has been constructed across the front of the building.

Walking to one end of a platform we spotted this four wheel switcher.

The other end of the platform provided views such as this diesel multiple unit train (DMU) arriving,

an electric multiple unit (EMU) train preparing to depart,

a train of conventional rolling stock being pushed into the station by an electric locomotive (above and two below),

a train of EMUs arriving,

and a train of DMUs departing.

Finally another train of conventional passenger cars was pushed out of the station by an electric locomotive.

On our way back to the boat we had the opportunity to photograph more trams.

The next day Jim, Cathy and I rode a tram into town. Place de Homme de Fer is a square named for the man of iron; a suit of armor which was affixed to a building on the square in the 18th century and has now been replaced by a tin copy.

The square is the meeting point for 5 tram lines. The A line crosses the B, C, D, E, and F. Above a C line and a B line car are in the station.

The C line car is ready to leave.

The A line stop is partially covered by this interesting structure.

This view shows the crossing with an A line train leaving the station while at the left a B line train waits its turn and another A line train unloads and loads passengers. Jim (blue jacket) and Cathy are at the right.

Next the B line train leaves.

My final tram in Strasbourg was at Place Broglie while waiting for a tram in the opposite direction.

Thanks for looking.

Trains and Trams in Europe - 4/9 to 4/26/2017- 3

Hi, On Thursday, April 13 we traveled by bus from Lucerne to Basel, Switzerland where we boarded our home for the next 14 nights, Grand Circle Cruise Line's River Harmony. After unpacking Jim Kleeman, his wife Cathy and I took a walk over to the railroad station.

Basel has modern trams (above and below)

in two paint schemes (above and below). This is a major junction and transfer point.

There was much to see at the station or bahnhoff. Above is a TGV off SNCF, the French National Railroad. Basel sits right on the border with France and Germany.

An electric switcher like the one seen in Lucerne was working this station too.

This is a fast train on SBB, the Swiss national railroad.

I believe this also is an SSB train.

While we were on a bridge over looking the station a German Inter City Express (ICE) arrived.

When we returned to the platform we were able to photograph this SSB electric,

a diesel switching,

a German electric,

and the ICE train departing. This is the rear.

I like the ends of platforms because there frequently is interesting track work and signals. Also, there is the possibility of shooting trains arriving and departing on a number of tracks (above and below).

On the walk back to the boat we saw this older tram in the yellow paint scheme.

Thanks for looking.

Trains and Trams in Europe - 4/9 to 4/26/2017, Cogs and Racks.

Hi, While in Lucerne we took two optional tours. The first included a boat ride across Lake Lucerne to the town of  Weggis followed by a cable car ride up the mountain to the town of Rigi Kaltbad, where we had dinner.

Our trip down the mountain was by cog railway. In the photo above a train is continuing up the mountain from Rigi Kaltbad.

Here the train we will take down the mountain is arriving at Rigi Kaltbad.

Our second optional tour included a a trip into the Alps to Kleine Scheidegg on the Wengernalpbahn (WAB) rack railway line. Our trip up the mountain began at Lauterbrunnen. Our train is shown above.

Here a train is arriving from Lauterbrunnen.

About an hour later a second train arrived. These trains continued down the other side of the mountain to Grindelwald.

Kleine Scheidegg is a mountain pass situated below and between the Eiger and the Lauberhorn. The lower terminus of Jungfraubahn also is located here. This rack railway climbs to Jungfraujoch; the highest point reached by rail in Europe.

A WAB work train rests at Kleine Scheidegg station.

The Jungfraubahn uses the other side of the station (above and below).

Above and two below are views of Jungfraubahn trains on the grade out of Kleine Scheidegg.

Here a work train descends the grade into Kleine Scheidegg.

This is our train getting ready to leave for Grindelwald. Thanks for looking.