The first day of the trip was spent travelling from the UK to the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) by road. There was some rail interest en-route in the form of the Eurotunnel shuttle journey from Cheriton to Coquelles. The shove engine was named “Jessye Norman” which would make it 9005 unless it’s been upgraded and renumbered 9805. I seem to have lost the ability to see through concrete walls so didn’t see the number.

After eight extremely enjoyable hours of motorway driving (the stationary traffic in Lille was a delight) I arrived at Grünholz, between Sulz and Oberndorf on the Stuttgart - Singen line, in time to see a couple of trains. Only 101s this time but there should be some 115s and 181s over the weekend.

Cheriton Eurotunnel

Loco	Train No.	Train Details	Notes
9xxx t & t with 9005		06:50 Cheriton - Coquelles Car Shuttle	06:50

Grünholz, N of Oberndorf (Neckar)

Loco	Train No.	Train Details	Notes
101.032	IC281	15:56 Stuttgart Hbf - Zürich HB	16:54
101.055	IC184	15:10 Zürich HB - Stuttgart Hbf	17:08