Hi again guys,
I'm heartened by the fact that you guys have shown an interest in what I'm up to so here are some pic's from my most recent visit to Germany, from the weekend of the Cologne (Köln) exhibition 23-26th November 2012. Already so long ago!
Anyone know where this or what this is?
That's right - it's the 'Dom' or Cologne cathedral taken from next to the railway bridge! Note the view through the mesh fence is now almost completely obliterated due to all the tourists(?) attaching thousands & thousands of padlocks of every variety onto the mesh!
You can still get some decent shots though!
A class 101 leaving Köln with an InterCity service!
At this time, quite early on a Sunday morning, there was still plenty of traffic about. Unfortunately we were on our way to our second day at the exhibition so didn't hang about!
I guess I'll put some exhibition pic's on later - if there's interest?
Later, we went to the smaller Köln station o/s the Messe itself.
Aah! An ICE-T (tilt) approaching - this was a double unit so very impressive indeed, I love 'em!
As you can see by the red tail lights, this is the rear of the above train.
Spotting feature of an ICE-T is the line of the windows that comes to more of a point on the driving unit, as well as different bogies and different (bulgy) bodywork at the bottom of the bodyshell.
Here comes our train, double deck driving coach leading.
We shortly arrived at Linz (am Rhine)
I quickly had to snatch a shot of this lovely little railbus before it disappeared from view!
Now back for a detailed shot of 'my' little 143 - lovely!
Rather quickly, a class (152, I think!) tore past on a steel train composed of bogie flats, opens and sliding roof vans.
Only a few minutes later, this class 185 shot through with a tank train, chasing after our double deck coaches.
Right at the limit of my camera's zoom capability was this little collection of 'classic' stock, all apparently in working order.
How German is that?!
Mid afternoon and my friend and I felt peckish so walked the short distance into Linz village and found a pleasant cafe (not this one!) and sat down to coffee and cakes, extremely nice!!!
Back at the station, the day is losing it's light and this was moving fast so sorry about the blurring but this is the kind of action that really gets me going about German trains, corr!!
Not just German trains either - here is a Swiss one!!!
The little railbus came back, hoorah!
Turns out, it was on a shuttle service to Kalenborn - up a very steep branch. It was only about €7 return so we thought, let's give it a go!
The drivers control desk, normally when not in use, the driver will remove all hand controls and close the (roller shutter type) desk, he hadn't done this when I got this shot!
Last one, I'm afraid! (hurrah!) Oops! Can't post more than 15 pic's!
Before I go, I simply must add a bit of video, not mine (I wish!) but I feel it captures yet more of what German railways are all about!
Cheers/Pröst!
John Edge.
and it was turquoise and cream too 
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To be fair I may just opt like the Class 40 to go big size and build them in gauge 3 or something as static models and not as runners.
