Tag Archives: Rastatt

photography

Rastatt Part 2; German freight hotspot.

3 Comments

Several lines come together at Rastatt, Germany, which is an historic city south of Karlsruhe.

Since most through traffic is focused on to a short double track section immediately south of Rastatt , the station serves as a holding area for southward trains queued up to pass through this bottleneck.

In addition to DB’s trains, freight is run by a of variety open-access and private operators. Freights share tracks with passenger trains including high-speed TGV and ICE services and the famous Karlsruhe tram-trains.

I made this selection of images on 19 April 2016 using my FujiFilm X-T1.

A container train passes Rastatt on the morning of 19 April 2016.
A Crossrail container train passes Rastatt on the morning of 19 April 2016.
A DB electric leads at train of swap-bodies at Rastatt.
A DB electric leads at train of swap-bodies at Rastatt.
An SBB Cargo electric waits for a signal to proceed south.
An SBB Cargo electric waits for a signal to proceed south.
The driver of a Crossrail electric cleans his windscreen while waiting for traffic to pass at Rastatt.
The driver of a Crossrail electric cleans his windscreen while waiting for traffic to pass at Rastatt.
A northward BLS freight crosses the double track bridge as it approaches the Restate station.
A northward BLS freight crosses the double track bridge as it approaches the Rastatt station.
Lines at Rastatt host a mix of freight and passenger trains including Regional Expresses.
Lines at Rastatt host a mix of freight and passenger trains including Regional Expresses.
An electric hauled chemical train glides into Rastatt in the evening.
An electric hauled chemical train glides into Rastatt in the evening.
Open access operators are plentiful in Germany.
Open access operators are plentiful in Germany.
Four trains at Rastatt station.
Four trains at Rastatt station, including a stopping Tram Train from Karlsruhe.
Catching antique SBB Re 4/4s at work was a prize.
Catching antique SBB Re 4/4s at work was a prize.
SBB Re 4/4 electrics up close.
SBB Re 4/4 electrics up close.
A diesel leads a local freight from a nearby automotive factory.
A diesel leads a local freight from a nearby automotive factory.
A northward SBB freight glides through Rastatt.
A northward SBB freight glides through Rastatt.
Trailing view of the same train.
Trailing view of the same train.
A regional passenger train passes a freight.
A regional passenger train passes a freight.
Once common, old DB class 151 electrics are now relatively rare on through freights.
Once common, old DB class 151 electrics are now relatively rare on through freights.

Tracking the Light posts daily.

photography

Rastatt, Germany: Part 1 TGV and the Tram Train.

1 Comment

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.

An SNCF TGV approaches Rastatt on DB rails.
An SNCF TGV approaches Rastatt on DB 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.

You have to love it: the TGV was 'looped' (over taken) by a Tram Train at Restatt.
You have to love it: the TGV and a freight were both  ‘looped’ (over taken) by a Tram Train at Restatt.

TGV_Rastatt_DSCF5522Tram_and_TGV_Rastatt_DSCF5524Tracking the Light posts Daily.