One of the more recently built metro systems in Europe, the 4 line network in Bulgaria’s capital city first opened in January 1998. It currently consists of 4 standard gauge lines with 47 stations, carrying over 300,000 people each day. There’s also an extensive tram network in Sofia, although this hasn’t been enlarged since 1995… Read More Sofia Metro System
A recent visit to Hungary meant I was able to take a look at some of the countries railway heritage. There is a lot on offer, and sadly some of it I didn’t have time to see and some of it was closed due to the time of year – November & December. There’s several… Read More Railway Heritage in Hungary
The extensive network of public transport in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, includes the usual trams, buses and suburban railways, along with a rack railway and cable car. Another unique feature of Zurich’s network is the S10 line, which climbs 6.5 miles (10km) to an elevation of 2671ft (814m) on the Uetliberg mountain. Opened in 1875… Read More Uetliberg. The S Bahn on the Mountain
Please share & sign my new petition on the Government petitions website to keep ticket offices open. The RDG letter sent recently states ticket offices will be “repurposed” & staff are to be “multi skilled” (which they are already!) This is seen as turning ticket offices into cafes/shops. Our station staff do far more than… Read More Keep ticket offices open!
How far can you get by rail across Europe in 1 to 5 hours? This is a very cool and useful tool. It shows you how far you can get by rail in 1-5 hours across Europe from large towns & cities. Certainly shows the big differences between countries and their provision of high speed… Read More Five hours on a train
I’ve just spent a week in Antwerp, using trams & the docking bike system to get around The cycling & tram infrastructure is great (though there’s still too many cars!)But, unlike the UK, even at roadworks there’s cycle provision. And cycling with goods, moving shopping etc is just normal. Cargo bikes are a normal part… Read More Antwerp by bike and tram
Marseille is the largest city in south-eastern France with a population of 800,000. It’s metro system is one of Europe’s smallest, with 2 lines and 29 stations, the newest of which, Geze, opened in December 2019. The system was first opened in 1977, on line one between La Rose and Saint-Charles. The rest of line one opened in… Read More The Marseille Metro
Something I find invaluable when travelling is a decent left luggage facility. Sadly, most facilities in the UK are now run by private companies not connected to the train operating companies, and are not always open at convenient times. For example, the St Pancras facility is operated by The Excess Baggage Company. It charges £12.50… Read More Continental Left Luggage
There’s a really useful ticket for unlimited travel in South West Scotland that doesn’t appear on the National Rail page of “Rangers and Rovers“. It’s called a Daytripper and gives unlimited travel for one adult or two adults and up to four children in the Strathclyde region on ScotRail, the Glasgow Subway, most buses and… Read More Daytripper – more than just a one way ticket…
A recent trip to Ireland to cover various stories about heritage railways and the reopening of a rail line meant travelling on the state owned transport services Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) and Bus Éireann (Irish Buses) around the west of Ireland. I took the train/ferry option via Holyhead-Dublin, which can be as low as £75… Read More Ireland by bus and rail.
Random Railways 