The railways around Karlsruhe, Germany are some of the most versatile and most thoroughly integrated in the world.
Karlsruhe was the pioneer of the ‘Tram-train concept,’ which enabled trams to utilize the heavy rail network.
As a result, trams can travel on city streets and reach beyond using the DB network.
Rastatt, south of Karlsruhe is a busy place where you can see high-speed passenger trains, Intercity and Regional Express passenger trains, freights, and Karlsruhe tram-trains using the same rails.
I made these views of a French TGV and tram-trains in April 2016 using my FujiFilm X-T1 digital camera. It was a bright morning and nearly ideal for photography.
The imaging challenge at Rastatt is making the shadows work for you and not against you. The curve of line, platform canopies and shadows cast by catenary masts and wires all result in visual elements that can make or break an image.
The tram looks very small and faintly ridiculous in among the large railway equipment, but the concept is remarkably developed in this area, with trams ranging up to 60km and more from their home city. There was one two-level station [Vaihingen (Enz)] where, some years ago, you had trams, trains and ICEs upstairs and a private branch line downstairs with a prewar diesel railcar. Alas, downstairs is now closed and lifted.