Wed 10 July 2013
23/07/13 17:24 | Wed 10 July 2013
Off to Switzerland to do some mountain railways for a change. The day started ridiculously early with a drive to Heathrow to catch the 06:00 Swiss flight to Zürich, arriving on time at 08:40 despite a short hold over Frick on the way in. I just made the 09:10 train to Zürich HB and had arrived in Luzern by 10:30, 460 hauled or pushed all the way.
The next stage of the journey was over the Brünig and was also loco hauled, a pleasure that won’t be available for much longer. Better still, after a good run with 101.966 over the pass, 110.003 backed down at Meiringen for blistering run to Interlaken. Five sets are required to work the Luzern - Interlaken service and only two were loco and coaches today, with the other three worked by new class 150 EMUs. A fourth 150 was seen at Meiringen, weighed down with sandbags on every seat and obviously on some sort of test.
After a morning travelling in good light, I was looking forward to some afternoon photography and, after dumping my case at Interlaken Ost, headed for Spiez. Both Interlaken - Zweisimmen RE turns were worked by BLS Brownies, 167 on the Golden Pass set and 195 on a blue and cream set. Also seen at Spiez was Crossrail’s 436.111, back in traffic after accident repairs.
I’d walked from Spiez to Faulensee for the 15:30 Brownie then back to Spiez after failing to get it in the sun. The weather was hot and humid and I was fit to drop when I got back.
Dropping was postponed briefly to get a shot of a BLS 485 on a RoLa train that had just arrived but then everything changed. I became aware of a dark shape in the viewfinder, sidling down the side of the RoLa. It was a green Re6/6, a real rarity these days. 11646 was working the afternoon goods to Leissigen, so it had to come back before to long.
My plan to travel to Niederried for the rest of the afternoon was ripped up on the spot. Twenty minutes later I was back at Faulensee, even more exhausted and wondering why I’d bothered as the sun had gone in. 11646 duly returned in the gloom, as did the next Brownie. With no sign of the sun returning, it was time to give up for the day. I travelled back to Interlaken, retrieved my case and continued on the Berner Oberland Bahn to Grindelwald, where I would be based for the next few nights.
The next stage of the journey was over the Brünig and was also loco hauled, a pleasure that won’t be available for much longer. Better still, after a good run with 101.966 over the pass, 110.003 backed down at Meiringen for blistering run to Interlaken. Five sets are required to work the Luzern - Interlaken service and only two were loco and coaches today, with the other three worked by new class 150 EMUs. A fourth 150 was seen at Meiringen, weighed down with sandbags on every seat and obviously on some sort of test.
After a morning travelling in good light, I was looking forward to some afternoon photography and, after dumping my case at Interlaken Ost, headed for Spiez. Both Interlaken - Zweisimmen RE turns were worked by BLS Brownies, 167 on the Golden Pass set and 195 on a blue and cream set. Also seen at Spiez was Crossrail’s 436.111, back in traffic after accident repairs.
I’d walked from Spiez to Faulensee for the 15:30 Brownie then back to Spiez after failing to get it in the sun. The weather was hot and humid and I was fit to drop when I got back.
Dropping was postponed briefly to get a shot of a BLS 485 on a RoLa train that had just arrived but then everything changed. I became aware of a dark shape in the viewfinder, sidling down the side of the RoLa. It was a green Re6/6, a real rarity these days. 11646 was working the afternoon goods to Leissigen, so it had to come back before to long.
My plan to travel to Niederried for the rest of the afternoon was ripped up on the spot. Twenty minutes later I was back at Faulensee, even more exhausted and wondering why I’d bothered as the sun had gone in. 11646 duly returned in the gloom, as did the next Brownie. With no sign of the sun returning, it was time to give up for the day. I travelled back to Interlaken, retrieved my case and continued on the Berner Oberland Bahn to Grindelwald, where I would be based for the next few nights.
Zürich Flughafen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.098 | IR2116 | 08:03 Konstanz - Biel/Bienne | 09:10 (travelled to Zürich HB) |
Zürich HB
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11121 | EN1364 | 20:56 Graz Hbf - Zürich HB | 09:25 |
| 460.049 propelling |
IR2321 | 09:35 Zürich HB - Luzern | 09:35 (Travelled to Luzern) |
Rotkreuz
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 185.111 [DB] | SB Intermodal | 10:13 |
Luzern
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101.963 [ZB] | IR2211 | 08:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 10:42 (Loco still at the buffers) |
| 101.966 [ZB] | IR2220 | 10:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 10:44 (travelled Luzern - Meiringen) |
| 101.968 [ZB] | IR3668 | 11:06 Luzern - Engelberg | 10:44 |
Horw
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150.xxx [ZB] | IR2215 | 09:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 10:59 |
Giswil
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150.002 [ZB] 160.005 [ZB] |
IR2217 | 10:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 11:30 |
Brünig-Hasliberg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101.965 [ZB] | IR2219 | 11:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 11:57 |
Meiringen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2220 | 10:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 12:12 |
| 101.962 [ZB] | Stabled | 12:12 |
Brienzwiler
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160.xxx [ZB] 150.xxx [ZB] |
IR2221 | 12:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 12:30 |
Interlaken Ost
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.044 | IC974 | 13:00 Interlaken Ost - Basel SBB | 13:00 |
| 460.047 propelling |
IC969 | 10:59 Basel SBB - Interlaken Ost | 13:06 |
| 167 [BLS] | RE3123 | 13:08 Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen | 13:08 (travelled to Spiez) |
Därlingen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.118 propelling |
IC1071 | 11:31 Basel SBB - Interlaken Ost | 13:19 |
Leissigen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 566.234 [BLS] | 6122 | 13:09 Spiez - Interlaken Ost | 13:23 |
Spiez
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11648 | SB Containers | 13:40 | |
| 566.237 | 6121 | 13:29 Interlaken Ost - Spiez | 13:52 |
| 186.109 [RPOOL] | SB Containers | 13:58 | |
| 436.114 [XRAIL] 436.xxx [XRAIL] |
NB Intermodal | 14:07 | |
| 465.010 [BLS] 465.011 [BLS] 188 [BLS] |
SB Swap Bodies | 14:18 | |
| 460.052 propelling |
IC829 | 13:49 Brig - Romanshorn | 14:26 |
| 460.086 propelling |
IC973 | 12:59 Basel SBB - Interlaken Ost | 14:41 |
Faulensee
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.009 propelling |
IC1075 | 13:31 Basel SBB - Interlaken Ost | 15:09 |
| 401.083 [DB] | ICE376 | 15:00 Interlaken Ost - Frankfurt(M) Hbf | 15:23 |
| 195 [BLS] | RE3127 | 15:08 Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen | 15:29 |
Spiez
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 485.008 [BLS] | SB RoLa | 15:49 | |
| 11646 | 64481 | 15:09 Thun - Leissigen Freight | 15:50 (passing 485.008[BLS] on SB RoLa) |
Faulensee
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.086 | IC982 | 16:00 Interlaken Ost - Basel SBB | 16:22 |
| 167 [BLS] propelling |
RE3126 | 15:38 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost | 16:28 |
| 11646 | 64484 | 16:50 Leissigen - Spiez Freight | 16:55 |
| 460.009 | IC986 | 17:00 Interlaken Ost - Basel SBB | 17:20 |
| 167 [BLS] | RE3131 | 17:08 Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen | 17:26 |
Spiez
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 485.004 [BLS] | SB RoLa | 17:46 | |
| 436.115 [XRAIL] 436.111 [XRAIL] |
SB Intermodal | 17:55 | |
| 566.237 | 6132 | 18:05 Spiez - Interlaken Ost | 18:05 |
| 460.047 propelling |
IC1081 | 16:31 Basel SBB - Brig | 18:05 |
Interlaken Ost
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 311 [BOB] | 285 | 18:35 Interlaken Ost - Grindelwald | 18:35 (travelled Interlaken Ost - Grindelwald) |
Thu 11 July 2013
23/07/13 17:24 | Thu 11 July 2013
Away from Grindelwald bright and early on the 07:19 train to Interlaken Ost then a nice run behind ZB’s 110.003 along the lakeside to Brienz. A walk across the road took me to the BRB station where No.12 was positioning the stock for the first train to Rothorn Kulm. I had wondered whether the newly built engines might be efficiently quiet but needn’t have worried, No 12 was very loud and sounded superb, particularly in the tunnels. In contrast to the noise, the exhaust was almost non-existent, just a light haze of oil smoke from the chimney and absolutely no condensing steam despite the high humidity and cool air on the upper sections of the line. That probably makes it a line for video rather than stills.
Back down at Brienz, I set about trying to get some photos of 110.003 working the Interlaken - Meiringen section of the Zentralbahn. Everything that wasn’t a unit was pulled by the 110 despite the arrival of the new class 150 units having freed up some of the more modern class 101s. The pattern of workings seen yesterday was repeated with the units working the same trains so the loco hauled turns were predictable. Unfortunately the shots I tried were less predictable and I only got satisfactory shots of three of the eight trains I went for. Even the classic shots around Niederried with the lake behind disappointed, mainly because the gaps between poles have been filled in by more poles, leaving no room for a clear shot between them.
Slim pickings photographically but the ride up the mountain to Rothorn Kulm exceeded expectations.
Back down at Brienz, I set about trying to get some photos of 110.003 working the Interlaken - Meiringen section of the Zentralbahn. Everything that wasn’t a unit was pulled by the 110 despite the arrival of the new class 150 units having freed up some of the more modern class 101s. The pattern of workings seen yesterday was repeated with the units working the same trains so the loco hauled turns were predictable. Unfortunately the shots I tried were less predictable and I only got satisfactory shots of three of the eight trains I went for. Even the classic shots around Niederried with the lake behind disappointed, mainly because the gaps between poles have been filled in by more poles, leaving no room for a clear shot between them.
Slim pickings photographically but the ride up the mountain to Rothorn Kulm exceeded expectations.
Grindelwald
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 311 [BOB] propelling |
226 | 07:19 Grindelwald - Interlaken Ost | 07:19 |
Interlaken Ost
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2211 | 08:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 08:04 |
Brienz
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 [BRB] propelling |
3 | 08:36 Brienz BRB - Rothorn Kulm | 08:36 |
Rothorn Kulm
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 [BRB] | 4 | 09:38 Rothorn Kulm - Brienz BRB | 09:38 |
Planalp
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 [BRB] propelling |
5 | 09:40 Brienz BRB - Rothorn Kulm | 10:08 |
Brienz
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 [BRB] | stabled | 10:37 | |
| 16 [BRB] propelling |
7 | 10:45 Brienz BRB - Rothorn Kulm | 10:38 |
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2214 | 08:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 10:40 |
| 130.010 [ZB] | 7441 | 10:33 Interlaken Ost - Meiringen | 10:57 |
| 130.001 [ZB] | 7440 | 10:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 10:57 |
W of Brienzwiler
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2219 | 11:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 11:29 |
| 150.103 [ZB] 160.002 [ZB] |
IR2218 | 09:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 11:32 |
| 160.002 [ZB] 150.103 [ZB] |
IR2221 | 12:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 12:27 |
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2220 | 10:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 12:31 |
| 130.001 [ZB] | 7448 | 12:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 12:55 |
| 130.010 [ZB] | 7449 | 12:33 Interlaken Ost - Meiringen | 13:01 |
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2223 | 13:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 13:28 |
Brienz
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130.010 [ZB] | 7452 | 13:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 14:00 |
Oberried
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130.001 [ZB] | 7456 | 14:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 15:12 |
E of Niederried
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2226 | 13:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 15:48 |
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2229 | 16:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 16:10 |
Niederried
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2230 | 15:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 17:48 |
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2235 | 18:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 18:10 |
| 130.010 [ZB] | 7470 | 17:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 18:15 |
Interlaken Ost
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 308 [BOB] | 285 | 18:35 Interlaken Ost - Grindelwald | 18:35 |
Fri 12 July 2013
23/07/13 17:24 | Fri 12 July 2013
Day three of the trip and the pull of the main lines is still too strong to resist. Today was spent on the Spiez - Zweisimmen line photographing the BLS Re4/4s on RE trains. Locos 167 and 195 handled the duties as they had on Wednesday. Local services on the line were worked by class 535 “Lötschberger” EMUs with a single class 525 “Nina” strengthening one service.
BLS’s 843.503 and Scheuchzer’s 847.101 were moving ballast wagons and civil engineering plant around and SBB’s 843.088 worked the pick-up goods, sadly only one wagon.
BLS Re4/4 195 worked RE3122, the 13:38 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost over the viaduct west of Weissenburg
BLS’s 843.503 and Scheuchzer’s 847.101 were moving ballast wagons and civil engineering plant around and SBB’s 843.088 worked the pick-up goods, sadly only one wagon.
BLS Re4/4 195 worked RE3122, the 13:38 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost over the viaduct west of Weissenburg
Interlaken Ost
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.047 | IC1066 | 08:30 Interlaken Ost - Basel SBB | 08:30 |
Därlingen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 167 [BLS] propelling |
28346 | 08:22 Spiez - Interlaken Ost ECS | 08:40 |
Leissigen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.028 propelling |
IC959 | 06:59 Basel SBB - Interlaken Ost | 08:43 |
Spiez
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 485.014 [BLS] 486.501 [BLS] |
NB Intermodal | 09:08 |
Böltigen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 195 [BLS] propelling |
RE3114 | 09:38 Zweisimmen - Spiez | 09:48 |
appr Zweisimmen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 167 [BLS] | RE3115 | 09:08 Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen | 10:18 |
Zweisimmen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6006 [MOB] | 2216 | 08:44 Montreux - Zweisimmen | 10:43 |
Boltigen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 847.101 [Scheuchzer] 843.503 [BLS] |
Light Engines | 11:28 |
W of Boltigen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 167 [BLS] propelling |
RE3118 | 11:38 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost | 11:47 |
| 195 [BLS] | RE3119 | 11:36 Spiez - Zweisimmen | 12:11 |
W of Weissenburg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 843.088 | 57767 | 13:16 Spiez - Zweisimmen Freight | 13:45 |
| 195 [BLS] propelling |
RE3122 | 13:38 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost | 13:55 |
| 167 [BLS] | RE3123 | 13:08 Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen | 14:00 |
S of Grubenwald
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 167 [BLS] propelling |
RE3126 | 15:38 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost | 15:41 |
| 195 [BLS] | RE3127 | 15:08 Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen | 16:15 |
Wimmis
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 167 [BLS] | RE3131 | 17:08 Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen | 17:42 |
Spiez
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 620.012 | Spiez - Thun Freight | 18:01 | |
| 195 [BLS] propelling |
RE3130 | 17:38 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost | 18:18 |
| 460.118 propelling |
IC981 | 16:59 Basel SBB - Interlaken Ost | 18:33 |
Leissigen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.044 | IC1088 | 18:30 Interlaken Ost - Basel SBB | 18:44 |
Sat 13 July 2013
23/07/13 17:24 | Sat 13 July 2013
A hectic morning in the mountains starting with a trip from Grindelwald up to Kleine Scheidegg on the Wengernalpbahn, then a few photos of trains arriving from Grindelwald. The next few hours were productively filled walking up to Eigergletscher and back, photographing Jungfraubahn trains on the way, then walking down to Wengen photographing Wengernalpbahn trains. On the way down I discovered it's actually easier to run down the hill than to walk - you can get into a rhythm where you just lift your feet off the ground and let gravity do all the work - it's less punishing for the knees as well.
The Wengernalp and Jungfrau operations are interesting, with trains nominally running each way every 30 minutes but, in reality, each train often consists of two or three trains running in quick succession, sometimes less than a minute apart. It didn’t seem to matter whether a train was empty stock, a special for a tourist group or a normal passenger service, they all ran in procession within a couple of minutes of the regular times. Crossings involve one procession going into the loop to allow the other to pass. There were plenty of old motor coaches out in addition to the more modern EMUs on both systems, giving variety as well as volume.
It still wasn't 12:00 when I arrived at Wengen and caught a train back up to Cloudy Scheidegg, as it had become in the two hours since I'd left. The afternoon was spent lazily sitting on a hillside overlooking the Grindelwald line with jaggy snow capped mountains behind, watching the clouds progressively blot out the magnificent background of the Alps while their friends took out every train that passed.
By 16:00 I'd had enough and headed north to Niederried on the Luzern - Meiringen line to see if the light was any better there, it wasn't, and 110.003 passed in total gloom on IR2235. Back at Interlaken 167 and 195 were viewed working the Zweisimmen RE turns as I enjoyed a Schnitzel and a Bier before heading back to Grindelwald.
The Wengernalp and Jungfrau operations are interesting, with trains nominally running each way every 30 minutes but, in reality, each train often consists of two or three trains running in quick succession, sometimes less than a minute apart. It didn’t seem to matter whether a train was empty stock, a special for a tourist group or a normal passenger service, they all ran in procession within a couple of minutes of the regular times. Crossings involve one procession going into the loop to allow the other to pass. There were plenty of old motor coaches out in addition to the more modern EMUs on both systems, giving variety as well as volume.
It still wasn't 12:00 when I arrived at Wengen and caught a train back up to Cloudy Scheidegg, as it had become in the two hours since I'd left. The afternoon was spent lazily sitting on a hillside overlooking the Grindelwald line with jaggy snow capped mountains behind, watching the clouds progressively blot out the magnificent background of the Alps while their friends took out every train that passed.
By 16:00 I'd had enough and headed north to Niederried on the Luzern - Meiringen line to see if the light was any better there, it wasn't, and 110.003 passed in total gloom on IR2235. Back at Interlaken 167 and 195 were viewed working the Zweisimmen RE turns as I enjoyed a Schnitzel and a Bier before heading back to Grindelwald.
Grindelwald
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 144 [WAB] 143 [WAB] |
437 | 07:17 Grindelwald - Kleine Scheidegg | 07:17 |
below Kleine Scheidegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 144 [WAB] 143 [WAB] |
432 | 08:03 Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald | 08:05 |
| 142 [WAB] 141 [WAB] |
439 | 07:47 Grindelwald - Kleine Scheidegg | 08:16 |
above Kleine Scheidegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 206 [JB] | 539-1 | 08:30 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 08:30 |
| 210 [JB] | 539-2 | 08:30 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 08:32 |
below Kleine Scheidegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1xx [WAB] | 334-1 | 08:31 Kleine Scheidegg - Lauterbrunnen | 08:33 |
above Kleine Scheidegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 216 [JB] 215 [JB] |
539-3 | 08:30 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 08:34 |
below Kleine Scheidegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1xx [WAB] | 334-2 | 08:31 Kleine Scheidegg - Lauterbrunnen | 08:34 |
| 1xx [WAB] | 334-3 | 08:31 Kleine Scheidegg - Lauterbrunnen | 08:35 |
above Kleine Scheidegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 205 [JB] | 541-1 | 09:00 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 09:00 |
| 204 [JB] | 541-2 | 09:00 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 09:02 |
| 217 [JB] 212 [JB] |
541-3 | 09:00 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 09:04 |
below Eigergletscher
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 207 [JB] | 543-1 | 09:30 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 09:32 |
| 201 [JB] | 543-2 | 09:30 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 09:34 |
| 214 [JB] 211 [JB] |
543-3 | 09:30 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 09:36 |
above Kleine Scheidegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 209 [JB] | 545-1 | 10:00 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 10:00 |
| 202 [JB] | 545-2 | 10:00 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 10:02 |
| 216 [JB] 215 [JB] |
545-3 | 10:00 Kleine Scheidegg - Jungfraujoch | 10:04 |
| 210 [JB] | 542-1 | 09:30 Jungfraujoch - Kleine Scheidegg | 10:16 |
below Kleine Scheidegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101 [WAB] | 342-1 | 10:31 Kleine Scheidegg - Lauterbrunnen | 10:30 |
| 110 [WAB] | 342-2 | 10:31 Kleine Scheidegg - Lauterbrunnen | 10:31 |
| 133 [WAB] | 342-3 | 10:31 Kleine Scheidegg - Lauterbrunnen | 10:33 |
below Wengernalp
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 116 [WAB] | 351-1 | 10:37 Lauterbrunnen - Kleine Scheidegg | 11:03 |
| 120 [WAB] | 351-2 | 10:37 Lauterbrunnen - Kleine Scheidegg | 11:04 |
| 124 [WAB] | 344-1 | 11:01 Kleine Scheidegg - Lauterbrunnen | 11:11 |
| 119 [WAB] | 344-2 | 11:01 Kleine Scheidegg - Lauterbrunnen | 11:12 |
| 131 [WAB] | 344-3 | 11:01 Kleine Scheidegg - Lauterbrunnen | 11:15 |
below Baawald
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 107 [WAB] | 353-1 | 11:07 Lauterbrunnen - Kleine Scheidegg | 11:32 |
Wengen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1xx [WAB] | 355-2 | 11:37 Lauterbrunnen - Kleine Scheidegg | 11:55 |
below Kleine Scheidegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 142 [WAB] 141 [WAB] |
457 | 12:17 Grindelwald - Kleine Scheidegg | 12:47 |
| 112 [WAB] | 454-1 | 13:33 Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald | 13:34 |
| 134 [WAB] 132 [WAB] |
454-2 | 13:33 Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald | 13:36 |
| 142 [WAB] 141 [WAB] |
463 | 13:47 Grindelwald - Kleine Scheidegg | 14:17 |
| 113 [WAB] | 465 | 14:17 Grindelwald - Kleine Scheidegg | 14:47 |
| 113 [WAB] | 460-1 | 15:03 Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald | 15:01 |
| 111 [WAB] | 460-2 | 15:03 Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald | 15:02 |
| 134 [WAB] 132 [WAB] |
460-3 | 15:03 Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald | 15:05 |
| 112 [WAB] | 462-1 | 15:33 Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald | 15:31 |
| 117 [WAB] | 462-2 | 15:33 Kleine Scheidegg - Grindelwald | 15:33 |
Kleine Scheidegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 123 [WAB] | 364-2 | 16:01 Kleine Scheidegg - Lauterbrunnen | 16:01 |
Lauterbrunnen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 [WAB] 64 [WAB] 65 [WAB] |
Stabled | 16:50 | |
| 308 [BOB] | 164 | 17:03 Lauterbrunnen - Interlaken Ost | 17:03 |
Interlaken Ost
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130.001 [ZB] | 7471 | 17:33 Interlaken Ost - Meiringen | 17:33 |
Niederried
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2230 | 15:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 17:49 |
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2235 | 18:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 18:11 |
| 130.010 [ZB] | 7470 | 17:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 18:20 |
Interlaken Ost
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 195 [BLS] propelling |
RE3130 | 17:38 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost | 18:47 |
| 195 | 28343 | 19:10 Interlaken Ost - Spiez ECS | 19:10 |
| 167 [BLS] propelling |
28350 | 18:25 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost ECS | 19:37 |
| 310 [BOB] | 291 | 20:05 Interlaken Ost - Grindelwald | 20:05 |
Sun 14 July 2013
23/07/13 17:24 | Sun 14 July 2013
The Schynige Platte rack line was this morning's target. Like the Wengernalpbahn and the Jungfraubahn, this line also runs processions of trains instead of the single trains shown in the timetable. Every working seen consisted of two or sometimes three independent sections, each consisting of two coaches propelled up the hill by an ancient 4-wheel electric locomotive. The best photo on the line is an afternoon shot with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau behind but there were a few good morning shots as well, particularly around Breitlauenen, with views over Interlaken, the Thunersee and the Brienzersee.
The afternoon was spent on the Zentralbahn, mainly just outside Meiringen but finishing off at the usual spot at Niederried, where the usual cloud was in the usual place at the usual time causing me to utter the usual curse as the train passed in the usual gloom. Third time unlucky for that particular picture. I don't suppose there will be a fourth chance.
There were two class 150s stabled, or should it be tethered, at Meiringen at lunchtime, which meant a maximum of two could be out working trains, so what was working the third turn? The answer was a surprise, to me at least. A 101 on an Engelberg push-pull set worked trains IR2222 and IR2225 throughout, reversing at Meiringen. 110.003 worked the other hauled turns, as it has since I arrived, but 110.021 was sitting outside the shed at Meiringen looking very much alive and 110.022, while parked behind the depot, didn't have the "Ausser Betrieb" stickers that the ZB seems to plaster on withdrawn stock.
There was also a steam special over the Brünig with an 0-6-0 rack tank working over the mountain and a 2-6-0 tank on the flat section between Interlaken and Meiringen. Although it seemed ready to leave Meiringen for Interlaken at 16:45, it didn’t appear to have arrived by the time I left at 20:05.
The afternoon was spent on the Zentralbahn, mainly just outside Meiringen but finishing off at the usual spot at Niederried, where the usual cloud was in the usual place at the usual time causing me to utter the usual curse as the train passed in the usual gloom. Third time unlucky for that particular picture. I don't suppose there will be a fourth chance.
There were two class 150s stabled, or should it be tethered, at Meiringen at lunchtime, which meant a maximum of two could be out working trains, so what was working the third turn? The answer was a surprise, to me at least. A 101 on an Engelberg push-pull set worked trains IR2222 and IR2225 throughout, reversing at Meiringen. 110.003 worked the other hauled turns, as it has since I arrived, but 110.021 was sitting outside the shed at Meiringen looking very much alive and 110.022, while parked behind the depot, didn't have the "Ausser Betrieb" stickers that the ZB seems to plaster on withdrawn stock.
There was also a steam special over the Brünig with an 0-6-0 rack tank working over the mountain and a 2-6-0 tank on the flat section between Interlaken and Meiringen. Although it seemed ready to leave Meiringen for Interlaken at 16:45, it didn’t appear to have arrived by the time I left at 20:05.
Grindelwald
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 [BOB] | 226 | 07:19 Grindelwald - Interlaken Ost | 07:19 (travelled to Wilderswil) |
| 20 [SPB] | 641 | 08:05 Wilderswil - Schynige Platte | 08:05 (travelled to Schynigge Platte) |
below Schynige Platte
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 [SPB] | 634-1 | 09:01 Schynige Platte - Wilderswil | 09:13 |
| 20 [SPB] | 634-2 | 09:01 Schynige Platte - Wilderswil | 09:14 |
| 16 [SPB] | 643-1 | 08:45 Wilderswil - Schynige Platte | 09:32 |
| 19 [SPB] | 643-2 | 08:45 Wilderswil - Schynige Platte | 09:33 |
above Breitlauenen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 [SPB] | 638-1 | 09:41 Schynige Platte - Wilderswil | 09:58 |
| 16 [SPB] | 638-2 | 09:41 Schynige Platte - Wilderswil | 09:59 |
| 11 [SPB] | 640-1 | 10:21 Schynige Platte - Wilderswil | 10:39 |
| 12 [SPB] | 640-2 | 10:21 Schynige Platte - Wilderswil | 10:41 |
| 13 [SPB] | 640-3 | 10:21 Schynige Platte - Wilderswil | 10:42 |
| 20 [SPB] | 649-1 | 10:05 Wilderswil - Schynige Platte | 10:46 |
| 14 [SPB] | 649-2 | 10:05 Wilderswil - Schynige Platte | 10:48 |
Breitlauenen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 [SPB] | 642-1 | 11:01 Schynige Platte - Wilderswil | 11:25 (travelled to Wilderswil) |
| 16 [SPB] | 651-1 | 10:45 Wilderswil - Schynige Platte | 11:25 |
| 18 [SPB] | 651-2 | 10:45 Wilderswil - Schynige Platte | 11:26 |
| 19 [SPB] | 651-3 | 10:45 Wilderswil - Schynige Platte | 11:27 |
Rotenegg
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 [SPB] | 655-1 | 11:25 Wilderswil - Schynige Platte | 11:45 |
| 11 [SPB] | 655-2 | 11:25 Wilderswil - Schynige Platte | 11:45 |
Wilderswil
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 [BOB] mid train 305 [BOB] propelling |
244 | 11:49 Grindelwald - Interlaken Ost | 12:19 (travelled to Interlaken Ost) |
Interlaken Ost
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.099 | IC1074 | 12:30 Interlaken Ost - Basel SBB | 12:30 |
| 130.010 [ZB] | 7449 | 12:33 Interlaken Ost - Meiringen | 12:33 |
Oberried
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2220 | 10:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 12:45 |
W of Meiringen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2223 | 13:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 13:35 |
| 130.010 [ZB] | 7452 | 13:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 13:47 |
| 130.001 [ZB] | 7453 | 13:33 Interlaken Ost - Meiringen | 14:07 |
| 150.103 [ZB] 160.001 [ZB] |
IR2224 | 12:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 14:24 |
| 101.967 [ZB] | IR2225 | 14:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 14:35 |
| 130.001 [ZB] | 7456 | 14:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 14:49 |
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2226 | 13:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 15:23 |
| 160.001 [ZB] 150.103 [ZB] |
IR2227 | 15:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 15:36 |
| 130.010 [ZB] | 7460 | 15:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 15:48 |
Meiringen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160.004 [ZB] 150.102 [ZB] |
IR2228 | 14:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 16:12 |
| 1067 [Ballenberg Dampfbahn] | EB Special | 16:25 | |
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2229 | 16:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 16:36 (to Meiringen) |
| 101.964 [ZB] | IR2229 | 16:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 16:38 (from Meiringen) |
| 130.001 [ZB] | 7464 | 16:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 16:46 (travelled to Niederried) |
| 130.001 [ZB] | 7464 | 16:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 16:48 (travelled to Niederried) |
Niederried
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2230 | 15:55 Luzern - Interlaken Ost | 17:56 |
| 110.003 [ZB] | IR2235 | 18:04 Interlaken Ost - Luzern | 18:16 |
| 130.010 [ZB] | 7470 | 17:46 Meiringen - Interlaken Ost | 18:25 (travelled to Interlaken Ost) |
Interlaken Ost
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 310 [BOB] | 291 | 20:05 Interlaken Ost - Grindelwald | 20:05 (travelled to Grindelwald) |
Mon 15 July 2013
23/07/13 17:24 | Mon 15 July 2013
The plan for the last day of the trip was to dump the case at Spiez, spend the morning on the Zweisimmen line then return to Faulensee for a few trains in the afternoon before heading for Zürich Airport and an evening flight home.
I should have known there was a problem when we didn't pass a "Brownie" on ECS between Interlaken and Spiez but it didn't register. Neither did the local off the Zweisimmen line that arrived at Spiez around 20 minutes late. Even seeing 186 and 167 on either end of a push-pull set at Oey-Diemtigen didn't ring alarm bells. I just wondered what they were doing on a local. When we passed the local at the next station and I realised 186 had gone through Spiez, light engine, just after I arrived, the penny finally dropped. Dohhh! 167 had obviously disgraced itself on the way back from Zweisimmen with RE3110 and 186 had been sent to rescue it. The whole morning's plan was based around getting RE3115, the next train 167 should have worked, at Grubenwald, just north of Zweisimmen. Sure enough the RE turned up with a class 566 EMU which stuck on 167's diagram all day. The good news was that the light at my chosen spot was still OK for the following RE two hours later, worked by 195. The bad news was that a whole glorious sunny morning was spent getting one shot.
Back at Faulensee after lunch things were looking a lot better. Unlike my previous visit, the cloud stayed away and the trains ran as expected, in fact better than expected, with the return freight from Leissigen running a good half hour early, passing just before I had to leave to catch my train back to Zürich. An excellent way to end what's been quite a productive trip, despite the cloudy afternoons.
From Spiez I caught an ICE to Bern, a first for me, and then changed to a Geneve Aeroport - St. Gallen IC, top and tailed by 460s, for the remainder of the journey. On the way there were a few sightings of interest starting with a 540 parked next to a brand new Vectron in the stabling sidings just north of Bern station. What a photo they would have made. Approaching Zürich there was a single grubby, green Ae6/6 stabled at the east end of RB Limmattal and a modern SBBC loco, probably a 482 on a string of stone hoppers at Altstätten.
I should have known there was a problem when we didn't pass a "Brownie" on ECS between Interlaken and Spiez but it didn't register. Neither did the local off the Zweisimmen line that arrived at Spiez around 20 minutes late. Even seeing 186 and 167 on either end of a push-pull set at Oey-Diemtigen didn't ring alarm bells. I just wondered what they were doing on a local. When we passed the local at the next station and I realised 186 had gone through Spiez, light engine, just after I arrived, the penny finally dropped. Dohhh! 167 had obviously disgraced itself on the way back from Zweisimmen with RE3110 and 186 had been sent to rescue it. The whole morning's plan was based around getting RE3115, the next train 167 should have worked, at Grubenwald, just north of Zweisimmen. Sure enough the RE turned up with a class 566 EMU which stuck on 167's diagram all day. The good news was that the light at my chosen spot was still OK for the following RE two hours later, worked by 195. The bad news was that a whole glorious sunny morning was spent getting one shot.
Back at Faulensee after lunch things were looking a lot better. Unlike my previous visit, the cloud stayed away and the trains ran as expected, in fact better than expected, with the return freight from Leissigen running a good half hour early, passing just before I had to leave to catch my train back to Zürich. An excellent way to end what's been quite a productive trip, despite the cloudy afternoons.
From Spiez I caught an ICE to Bern, a first for me, and then changed to a Geneve Aeroport - St. Gallen IC, top and tailed by 460s, for the remainder of the journey. On the way there were a few sightings of interest starting with a 540 parked next to a brand new Vectron in the stabling sidings just north of Bern station. What a photo they would have made. Approaching Zürich there was a single grubby, green Ae6/6 stabled at the east end of RB Limmattal and a modern SBBC loco, probably a 482 on a string of stone hoppers at Altstätten.
Grindelwald
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 313 [BOB] | 228 | 07:49 Grindelwald - Interlaken Ost | 07:49 (travelled to Interlaken Ost) |
Interlaken Ost
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.044 | IC1066 | 08:30 Interlaken Ost - Basel SBB | 08:30 (travelled to Spiez) |
Krattighalde
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.065 propelling |
IC959 | 06:59 Basel SBB - Interlaken Ost | 08:49 |
Spiez
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 186 [BLS] | Light Engine | 09:00 | |
| 11625 | NB Freight | 09:03 | |
| 535.125 [BLS] 535.123 [BLS] |
6213 | 09:12 Spiez - Zweisimmen | 09:12 (travelled to Grubenwald) |
Oey-Diemtigen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 186 [BLS] t & t with 167 [BLS] |
RE3110 | 07:38 Zweisimmen - Spiez | 09:25 (186 had only left Spiez at 09:00 so 167 or its DT must have failed around there.) |
Oberwil
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 195 [BLS] propelling |
RE3114 | 09:38 Zweisimmen - Spiez | 10:00 |
S of Grubenwald
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 566.235 [BLS] | RE3115 | 09:08 Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen | 10:22 (vice Re4/4) |
| 535.106 [BLS] | 6215 | 10:18 Spiez - Zweisimmen | 11:05 |
Grubenwald
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 566.235 [BLS] | RE3118 | 11:38 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost | 11:41 (vice Re4/4) |
S of Grubenwald
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 535.112 [BLS] | 6217 | 11:12 Spiez - Zweisimmen | 11:53 |
| 195 [BLS] | RE3119 | 11:36 Spiez - Zweisimmen | 12:18 |
Zweisimmen
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 535.106 [BLS] | 6222 | 13:03 Zweisimmen - Spiez | 13:03 (travelled to Enge im Simmental) |
E of Enge im Simmental
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 843.086 | 57767 | 13:16 Spiez - Zweisimmen Freight | 13:20 |
| 195 [BLS] propelling |
RE3122 | 13:38 Zweisimmen - Interlaken Ost | 13:52 |
| 535.123 [BLS] | 6221 | 13:12 Spiez - Zweisimmen | 14:06 |
| 566.235 [BLS] | RE3123 | 13:08 Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen | 14:06 |
Enge im Simmental
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 535.123 [BLS] | 6224 | 14:01 Zweisimmen - Spiez | 14:13 (travelled to Spiez) |
Faulensee
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401.088 [DB] | ICE376 | 15:00 Interlaken Ost - Frankfurt(M) Hbf | 15:21 |
| 11625 | 64481 | 15:09 Thun - Leissigen Freight | 15:22 |
| 195 [BLS] | RE3127 | 15:08 Interlaken Ost - Zweisimmen | 15:31 |
| 401.078 [DB] | ICE277 | 06:22 Berlin Ostbf - Interlaken Ost | 15:36 |
| 566.234 [BLS] | 6125 | 15:29 Interlaken Ost - Spiez | 15:50 |
| 525.xxx [BLS] 525.xxx [BLS] |
6128 | 16:05 Spiez - Interlaken Ost | 16:08 |
| 460.065 | IC982 | 16:00 Interlaken Ost - Basel SBB | 16:21 |
| 11625 | 64484 | 16:50 Leissigen - Spiez Freight | 16:25 |
Spiez
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401.078 [DB] | ICE1082 | 16:30 Interlaken Ost - Basel SBB | 16:54 (travelled to Bern) |
Bern
| Loco | Train No. |
Train Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 460.117 t & t with 460.097 |
IC735 | 15:36 Geneve Aeroport - St. Gallen | 17:32 (travelled to Zürich Flughafen) |
