Czech R : 27 Apr-01 May & 13-16 May 2011 : Day by Day
31/07/12 17:10
This section shows the details of the trip on a day by day basis. If you’re looking for loco numbers or individual workings, you’re in the right place.
Select the day you want to view from the menu on the right or scroll down through the pages below.
To return to the main report click here.
Select the day you want to view from the menu on the right or scroll down through the pages below.
To return to the main report click here.
Wed 27 April 2011
31/07/12 17:10 | Wed 27 April 2011
Another ridiculously early start got me to Gatwick for easyJet’s 06:25 Praha flight. Arrival was 20 minutes early and I was on the road by 10:00, heading for the hills north of Liberec, Arrival at the Hotel Zamacek, in the heart of downtown Raspenava, was just before midday.
The afternoon was spent lineside, near Raspenava at first and then near Oldrichov v Hajich. A series of thunderstorms accompanied by torrential downpours ensured that I didn’t stray too far from the car. As well as a lack of light, a lack of freights prevented any worthwhile photography. All that was seen was a pair of light engines.
The passenger service on this line is 100% unit and operated as expected with 814.203 + 914.xxx + 814.204 and 814.211 + 914.xxx + 814.212 covering the hourly locals and 810s on the peak hour extras.
Oh well, hopefully it will be better tomorrow.
The afternoon was spent lineside, near Raspenava at first and then near Oldrichov v Hajich. A series of thunderstorms accompanied by torrential downpours ensured that I didn’t stray too far from the car. As well as a lack of light, a lack of freights prevented any worthwhile photography. All that was seen was a pair of light engines.
The passenger service on this line is 100% unit and operated as expected with 814.203 + 914.xxx + 814.204 and 814.211 + 914.xxx + 814.212 covering the hourly locals and 810s on the peak hour extras.
Oh well, hopefully it will be better tomorrow.
Raspenava
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.761 753.7xx |
SB Light Engines | 13:15 |
Thu 28 Apr 2011
31/07/12 17:10 | Thu 28 Apr 2011
After yesterday’s non-event, it’s not saying a lot to report that today was better, with four freights, all 753.7 hauled, and more sun. There were still a couple of violent thunderstorms to dodge though and I needn’t have gone out until late afternoon as it was only the third freight, at 17:36, that passed in good light. Fortunately it was at one of the locations at the top of my wanted list. As well as the CD Cargo 753.7s, a pair of AWT locos was seen but only light engine.
On the passenger side it was all units again but the use of 843.005 on a number of morning workings was a surprise. The other turn was a 3 car 814 all day and in the afternoon a second 3 car 814 replaced the 843.
On the passenger side it was all units again but the use of 843.005 on a number of morning workings was a surprise. The other turn was a 3 car 814 all day and in the afternoon a second 3 car 814 replaced the 843.
Oldrichov v Hajich
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.763 753.762 |
NB Freight | 10:17 |
E of Frydlant v Cechach
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.727 (AWT) 753.726 (AWT) |
SB Light Engines | 13.16 |
Oldrichov v Hajich
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.780 753.776 |
NB Car Carriers | 17:18 | |
| 753.762 753.763 |
SB Freight | 17:36 |
Raspenava
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.776 753.780 |
SB Car Carriers | 19:30 |
Fri 29 Apr 2011
31/07/12 17:10 | Fri 29 Apr 2011
Any doubts I had about traffic levels on the line north of Liberec were firmly put to rest today. Five international freights were seen, all hauled by pairs of 753.7s, and there was a 743 on a pick-up freight as well. Remarkably, apart from one shot, everything passed in sunshine. Crossings with late running passengers even made it easy to get ahead of the afternoon trains for a second shot.
The most interesting working was actually a pair of light engines, 753.187 and 753.301, heading north in the late afternoon. Unfortunately they didn’t come back in daylight. I hadn’t expected to see any real 753s following the 753.7 takeover but it seems they aren’t quite finished yet.
The passengers were all unit, as expected, with two 3-car 814 sets covering the hourly service. One of the units did swap with another 814 at lunchtime though. The units were 814.201/2, 814.203/4 and 814.235/6 in case anyone’s interested. The additional northbounds in the afternoon were all 810s.
The most interesting working was actually a pair of light engines, 753.187 and 753.301, heading north in the late afternoon. Unfortunately they didn’t come back in daylight. I hadn’t expected to see any real 753s following the 753.7 takeover but it seems they aren’t quite finished yet.
The passengers were all unit, as expected, with two 3-car 814 sets covering the hourly service. One of the units did swap with another 814 at lunchtime though. The units were 814.201/2, 814.203/4 and 814.235/6 in case anyone’s interested. The additional northbounds in the afternoon were all 810s.
Oldrichov v Hajich
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.763 753.762 |
NB Freight | 08:15 | |
| 753.779 753.778 banked by 753.780 753.776 |
NB Car Carriers | 11:21 | |
| 753.762 753.763 |
SB Car Carriers | 11:39 |
E of Frydlant v Cechach
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 743.010 | SB Pick-Up Freight | 12:15 | |
| 753.778 753.779 |
SB Freight | 16:14 |
S of Mnisek u Liberce
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.778 753.779 |
SB Freight | 16:50 |
N of Oldrichov v Hajich
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.187 753.301 |
NB Light Engines | 17:16 | |
| 753.776 753.780 |
SB Car Carriers | 17:33 |
S of Mnisek u Liberce
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.776 753.780 |
SB Car Carriers | 17:53 |
Sat 30 Apr 2011
31/07/12 17:10 | Sat 30 Apr 2011
I had planned to head down to the Brno area today, en-route to Zvolen, but the forecast for most of the Czech Republic and Slovakia was pretty grim. For once, the Liberec area had the best of the weather with almost unbroken sunshine all day.
The morning was spent north of Frydlant but only one freight was seen, a northbound around midday when the sun was really too high for quality photography. The return working came in much better light at a much better location, vindicating the decision to stay. There was no sign of the real 753s today but a set of light engines did go north in the late afternoon again, four 753.7s this time. The first pair were good enough to return with a freight just before the light went.
Passenger wise, the morning trains north of Frydlant were worked by 810.245 and the afternoon trains between Liberec and Frydlant were covered by 814.211/2 and 814.215/6.
The morning was spent north of Frydlant but only one freight was seen, a northbound around midday when the sun was really too high for quality photography. The return working came in much better light at a much better location, vindicating the decision to stay. There was no sign of the real 753s today but a set of light engines did go north in the late afternoon again, four 753.7s this time. The first pair were good enough to return with a freight just before the light went.
Passenger wise, the morning trains north of Frydlant were worked by 810.245 and the afternoon trains between Liberec and Frydlant were covered by 814.211/2 and 814.215/6.
Minkovice
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.763 753.762 |
NB Freight | 12:11 |
N of Krasna Studanka
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.762 753.763 |
SB Freight | 15:31 | |
| 753.760 753.761 753.757 753.758 |
NB Light Engines | 16:56 |
N of Oldrichov v Hajich
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.760 753.761 753.757 753.758 |
NB Light Engines | 17:16 |
W of Raspenava
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 753.761 753.760 |
SB Freight | 19:13 |
Sun 1 May 2011
31/07/12 17:10 | Sun 1 May 2011
Most of the day was spent travelling from Raspenava to Zvolen, in Slovakia. The sun was shining first thing and I couldn’t resist one last shot in the Liberec area before leaving. There’s only one loco hauled passenger turn from Liberec these days, covering two trips to Usti nad Labem and back, seven days a week. It’s also the only turn in the whole Czech Republic booked for a class 750. I went to a spot in the hills, between Zakupy and Mimon, for the morning train from Usti. The light wasn’t round far enough for the shot I had in mind but a suitable alternative was found nearby.
Then it was four hours solid driving past Praha and Brno and on to Popovice, between Uherske Hradiste and Uhersky Brod, on line 341. The only sighting en-route was of another rarity, an 850 at Nesovice on the Brno - Veseli nad Moravou line.
The Luhacovice branch was closed for engineering work again but the trains were still running as far as Uhersky Brod. Unfortunately both Stare Mesto - Luhacovice turns were being covered by locos in the hideous new livery so I didn’t feel any urge to stay for more and drove on to Zvolen and the Hotel Polana. Notes from the Slovakian part of the trip can be found here.
It’s amazing how two almost identical classes of loco painted in the same two shades of blue can look so different. CD Cargo’s 753.7s look really smart while 754s in the new passenger livery look dreadful. I still haven’t really worked out why. It’s not just the grey. There are plenty of locos around with similar amounts of grey paint and they look perfectly good.
E of Bozikov
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 750.118 | R1157 | 09:27 Usti nad Labem hl.n. - Liberec | 10:40 |
Then it was four hours solid driving past Praha and Brno and on to Popovice, between Uherske Hradiste and Uhersky Brod, on line 341. The only sighting en-route was of another rarity, an 850 at Nesovice on the Brno - Veseli nad Moravou line.
Nesovice
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 850.021 | Sp1728 | 12:34 Stare Mesto u U.H. - Brno hl.n. | 14:00 |
The Luhacovice branch was closed for engineering work again but the trains were still running as far as Uhersky Brod. Unfortunately both Stare Mesto - Luhacovice turns were being covered by locos in the hideous new livery so I didn’t feel any urge to stay for more and drove on to Zvolen and the Hotel Polana. Notes from the Slovakian part of the trip can be found here.
Popovice u U.H.
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.037 | R706 | 14:34 Uhersky Brod - Praha hl.n. | 14:44 |
| 754.067 | R709 | 10:32 Praha-Smichov - Uhersky Brod | 15:15 |
It’s amazing how two almost identical classes of loco painted in the same two shades of blue can look so different. CD Cargo’s 753.7s look really smart while 754s in the new passenger livery look dreadful. I still haven’t really worked out why. It’s not just the grey. There are plenty of locos around with similar amounts of grey paint and they look perfectly good.
Fri 13 May 2011
31/07/12 17:10 | Fri 13 May 2011
After almost two weeks in Slovakia (notes here), I returned to the Czech Republic for a few days before flying home. It took all morning to drive from Zvolen to Hanusovice, where I arrived around 12:30.
The plan was to photograph the southbound freight that leaves Lipova Lazne around midday but it never appeared. I did eventually get a nice shot of 754.028 on R904 though.
The northbound afternoon freight ran but almost an hour later than normal due to a late running unit stealing its path. It just missed the sun by seconds as did the following loco hauled passenger. Although it was quite sunny, everything passed while the sun was hiding except the first train, R904, and the very last, a southbound freight hauled by 751.374.
In addition to the loco hauled fast passengers, two semi-fasts were seen, both worked by the same 843, and three locals, worked by 810s. There was no sign of the old 831 or 851 railcars.
The plan was to photograph the southbound freight that leaves Lipova Lazne around midday but it never appeared. I did eventually get a nice shot of 754.028 on R904 though.
The northbound afternoon freight ran but almost an hour later than normal due to a late running unit stealing its path. It just missed the sun by seconds as did the following loco hauled passenger. Although it was quite sunny, everything passed while the sun was hiding except the first train, R904, and the very last, a southbound freight hauled by 751.374.
In addition to the loco hauled fast passengers, two semi-fasts were seen, both worked by the same 843, and three locals, worked by 810s. There was no sign of the old 831 or 851 railcars.
Potucnik
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.028 | R904 | 12:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 13:59 |
Horni Lipova
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.065 | R906 | 14:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 15:09 |
Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 751.335 dead on rear 751.374 |
NB Freight | 15:53 | |
| 754.028 | R905 | 13:18 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 16:35 |
Lipova Lazne
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 751.119 | Stabled | 16:55 |
S of Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.031 | R907 | 15:18 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 18:34 |
| 751.374 | SB Freight | 18:43 |
Sat 14 May 2011
31/07/12 17:10 | Sat 14 May 2011
Saturdays are the busiest days on the Sumperk - Jesenik line with an additional pair of loco hauled passengers running as well as the regular passengers and freights.
The loco hauled passengers were worked by the same three 754s that were out yesterday with 843.020 covering all the semi-fasts and 810s on the locals. Most northbounds ran a few minutes late and R1403 and Sp1703 were significantly late. 754.028 was making a lot of noise for a 754.
The midday southbound freight definitely didn’t run today and despite there being plenty of loads for it to take. 751.149 made a phenomenal racket climbing into Branna with the mid-afternoon northbound freight, again running later than normal due to a delayed Sp1703 stealing its path.
There was some very thin high cloud around in the morning but generally the light was very good. By midday the cloud was getting serious and, although there were a few breaks in the early afternoon, it was totally overcast by 16:00.
The loco hauled passengers were worked by the same three 754s that were out yesterday with 843.020 covering all the semi-fasts and 810s on the locals. Most northbounds ran a few minutes late and R1403 and Sp1703 were significantly late. 754.028 was making a lot of noise for a 754.
The midday southbound freight definitely didn’t run today and despite there being plenty of loads for it to take. 751.149 made a phenomenal racket climbing into Branna with the mid-afternoon northbound freight, again running later than normal due to a delayed Sp1703 stealing its path.
There was some very thin high cloud around in the morning but generally the light was very good. By midday the cloud was getting serious and, although there were a few breaks in the early afternoon, it was totally overcast by 16:00.
S of Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.028 | R900 | 06:53 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 07:31 |
N of Nove Losiny
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.065 | R14:03 | 06:13 Brno hl.n - Jesenik | 09:25 |
S of Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.031 | R902 | 08:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 09:33 |
| 754.065 | R1403 | 06:13 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 09:46 |
N of Potucnik
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.028 | R901 | 07:19 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 10:19 |
S of Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.028 | R901 | 07:19 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 10:39 |
Lipova Lazne
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.028 | R901 | 07:19 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 11:08 |
S of Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.031 | R903 | 09:18 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 12:31 |
| 754.028 | R904 | 12:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 13:34 |
S of Jindrichov na Morave
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.028 | R904 | 12:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 13:53 |
Branna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 751.149 | NB Freight | 15:30 | |
| 754.031 | R906 | 14:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 15:39 |
Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.028 | R905 | 13:18 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 16:37 |
| 754.065 | R1402 | 16:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 17:33 |
| 751.374 banked by 751.149 |
SB Freight | 18:29 | |
| 754.031 | R907 | 15:18 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 18:46 |
Sun 15 May 2011
31/07/12 17:10 | Sun 15 May 2011
A very wet start. Although the rain died out by late morning, the sun never showed any sign of appearing. The same three 754s covered the Zabreh - Jesenik passenger turns, although 754.028 and 754.031 had swapped around.
I went down to Hanusovice where five trains met around 10:00. In addition to the northbound and southbound fast trains with 754s, there were 810s on services from Lichkov and Stare Mesto pod Sneznikem and a 3 car 814 on the stopper from Sumperk. Three CD Cargo locos were stabled in the yard, two 751s and a 749.
Most of the day was spent at locations where I could keep an eye on the trains and the weather from the comfort of the car and move quickly to a photo position if the weather improved. It was also a good opportunity to catch up on some lost sleep.
By 16:00 I’d given up on the light and returned to the hotel. I did notice R905 going up the hill about 70 minutes late behind what I presume was 754.031.
Os3613 from Sumperk to Jesenik was worked by a 3-car class 814. All the other locals seen north of Hanusovice were 810s with an 843 covering all the semi-fasts.
I went down to Hanusovice where five trains met around 10:00. In addition to the northbound and southbound fast trains with 754s, there were 810s on services from Lichkov and Stare Mesto pod Sneznikem and a 3 car 814 on the stopper from Sumperk. Three CD Cargo locos were stabled in the yard, two 751s and a 749.
Most of the day was spent at locations where I could keep an eye on the trains and the weather from the comfort of the car and move quickly to a photo position if the weather improved. It was also a good opportunity to catch up on some lost sleep.
By 16:00 I’d given up on the light and returned to the hotel. I did notice R905 going up the hill about 70 minutes late behind what I presume was 754.031.
Os3613 from Sumperk to Jesenik was worked by a 3-car class 814. All the other locals seen north of Hanusovice were 810s with an 843 covering all the semi-fasts.
Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.031 | R900 | 06:53 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 07:25 |
| 754.028 | R902 | 08:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 09:28 |
| 754.065 | R1403 | 06:13 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 09:34 |
Hanusovice
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.028 | R902 | 08:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 10:05 |
| 749.247 751.335 751.149 |
Stabled | 10:05 | |
| 754.031 | R901 | 07:19 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 10:12 |
S of Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.028 | R903 | 09:18 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 12:34 |
| 754.031 | R904 | 12:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 13:33 |
Branna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.028 | R906 | 14:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 15:39 |
Mon 16 May 2011
31/07/12 17:10 | Mon 16 May 2011
A day of dark clouds and occasional brilliant sunny periods. Most of the trains came in the former but I did manage four shots in sun, three of the same train, R901 hauled by 754.020 for a change. The other 754 in action was 754.031.
The elusive midday freight actually ran today and was even photographed in sun coming off the Javornik branch. It sat at Lipova Lazne for over an hour before following R904 southwards. Sp1703 was on time today but the afternoon freight still came in the later path, leaving Hanusovice at 15:10. Maybe that’s its regular slot now. It’s good news if it is as the light angle is much better by the time it reaches the Branna/Ostruzna area.
After seeing the afternoon freight leaving Hanusovice I drove back to Praha Airport for the easyJet flight back to Gatwick.
Another trip over, all I need now is a very long rest from driving after covering over 8000km in the last couple of months.
The elusive midday freight actually ran today and was even photographed in sun coming off the Javornik branch. It sat at Lipova Lazne for over an hour before following R904 southwards. Sp1703 was on time today but the afternoon freight still came in the later path, leaving Hanusovice at 15:10. Maybe that’s its regular slot now. It’s good news if it is as the light angle is much better by the time it reaches the Branna/Ostruzna area.
After seeing the afternoon freight leaving Hanusovice I drove back to Praha Airport for the easyJet flight back to Gatwick.
Another trip over, all I need now is a very long rest from driving after covering over 8000km in the last couple of months.
N of Horni Lipova
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.020 | R900 | 06:53 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 07:08 |
S of Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.020 | R900 | 06:53 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 07:32 |
N of Horni Lipova
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.031 | R902 | 08:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 09:13 |
N of Nove Losiny
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.031 | R902 | 08:55 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 09:47 |
| 754.020 | R901 | 07:19 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 10:21 |
S of Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.020 | R901 | 07:19 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 10:33 |
Lipova Lazne
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.020 | R901 | 07:13 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 11:05 |
| 751.149 banked by 749.247 |
Javornik ve Slezsku - Hanusovice Freight | 12:02 |
Horni Lipova
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.031 | R903 | 09:18 Brno hl.n. - Jesenik | 12:51 |
S of Ostruzna
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 754.020 | R904 | 12:53 Jesenik - Brno hl.n. | 13:34 |
| 751.149 banked by 749.247 |
Javornik ve Slezsku - Hanusovice Freight | 13:54 |
Hanusovice
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 749.251 | NB Freight | 15:11 |
