Had a little time to take in some Railfan photos; some from a moving bus at 100km/h that I thought I would slowly share [ March 20, 2006, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: Stourbridge Lion ]
The initials SBB are familiar. But I can't place the "FFS." What are they? Is this one of the units than runs through to Italy? Boxcab E50
This was a major Intl. Railway Station that I had about 5 min. to run through so these could have been going anywhere. [ March 20, 2006, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: Stourbridge Lion ]
After a little digging, I was able to answer part of my own question. FFS is the Italian marking= Ferrovie Federali Svizzere. This doesn't prove it runs through to Italy. But now I know what FFS means. It may just be for the Italian population in southern Switzerland. Boxcab E50
The initials are the three languages in Switzerland, SBB - German, CFF - French, FFS - Italian. Good to see those Swiss trains, it is several years since I last visited one of my favourite train watching countries
9104 is a GLV (Gatwick Luggage Van) conversion, it's a former commuter MU cab car converted into luggage accomodation for the Gatwick Express services back in the 80's. It retains a powered lead truck, but it works MU'd with a class 73 loco at the rear of the train (inbound), sort of a powered cab-car. Most of the Gatwick trains are now operating with new MU sets, but they have a few of these conversions on hand to cover for them. I shot some of the MU sets last year, they are 8-car sets with the London end vehicle being a luggage van like the old trains. Pics on here: http://ukrailwaypics.fotopic.net/c55781.html Victoria was an old haunt of mine when I lived in London, lots of memories there! Any more from the trip Darren?
Oh Yes! Some are in video format currently that I hope to pull a few JPG's out of as time permits. Here is another one... [ March 20, 2006, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: Stourbridge Lion ]
Thanks Darren, keep 'em coming The Swiss railways have some superb meter gauge equipment, like the one above.
These class 460 locomotives were just being introduced the last time I was in Switzerland, so it is time I returned! These are the newest in the SBB fleet and haul most important trains, plus in multiple on freight trains on the steeply graded Gotthard route. When on a train in Switzerland, I usually keep an eye on my watch at departure time. As the second hand approaches the time of departure, the train invariably starts moving Timekeeping is superb (although I once rode a train which was 4 minutes late!) Would have been an enquiry about that, I expect
Now here is a Must Ride from the same area. This is the world's steapest cogwheel railway and it was a great ride to the top!!! [ March 20, 2006, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: Stourbridge Lion ]
I' working on to obtaining some stills from the video I took; starting with this By Air shot out of the plane as we approached London Heathrow Airport . [ March 20, 2006, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Stourbridge Lion ]
Wow! Good shot Darren! I am always told by cabin crew to stow away my cameras during landing. Good shots can be had then or take-off. You certainly did ok
Great pictures, Darren! How long were you there for? Here are some I took last July in Germany: The train to the Zugspitz (if I'm not mistaken, theliteral translation is Train Peak ) Here's what appears to be a normal DB commuter train: And here's the train that takes heavy trucks across the Brenner Pass to keep them off the roads:
Actually, my video has a 300X zoom so I am able to take some shots of things that most people wouldn't see.
