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older trains
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Drsatan
Established Member
If you're after 1950s-1970s trains I'd recommend visiting Poland.
Many local trains are operated using 1960s EN57 EMUs which aren't at all nice to ride on, and retain plastic seats. A few have been refurbished however.
Nearly all TLK (low cost Intercity) and EIC (Express Intercity) trains are operated using LHCS. Coaches on EIC services are usually air conditioned and were built fairly recently; TLK services have non air conditioned coaches manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s. Both types of trains are often hauled by EU07 locomotives manufactured between the 1960s and the late 1980s.
However, Pendolinos will soon be replacing LCHS on EIC services and PKP has awarded a contract to Stadler for EMUs to replace most TLK services.
Many local trains are operated using 1960s EN57 EMUs which aren't at all nice to ride on, and retain plastic seats. A few have been refurbished however.
Nearly all TLK (low cost Intercity) and EIC (Express Intercity) trains are operated using LHCS. Coaches on EIC services are usually air conditioned and were built fairly recently; TLK services have non air conditioned coaches manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s. Both types of trains are often hauled by EU07 locomotives manufactured between the 1960s and the late 1980s.
However, Pendolinos will soon be replacing LCHS on EIC services and PKP has awarded a contract to Stadler for EMUs to replace most TLK services.
87015
Established Member
Pretty much everywhere East and South of here still has stuff that would likely get the heritage tag here in daily service - a case of where do you want to go really and should be able to find locos with at least lineage of the 60s, many designs being produced for up to 20 years...
Plenty of oldies in here from recently (and plenty of newer bits mind) http://87015aewn.wordpress.com/category/euro-nedding/
317666
Established Member
Belgium does have some pretty ancient EMUs (known as Klassieke Motorstellen, translates as Classic EMUs) knocking around, only the 1966 batch and newer remain in service currently although the design goes back to at least the 1940s! They aren't on quite as many routes as they were thanks to the introduction of new Desiro ML units, and the unrefurbished 1962/63/65 batches were retired at the end of last year, but last month there were still plenty to be found, especially around Charleroi, Liège or Brugge: https://www.flickr.com/photos/max_rail_photos_ii/13541529345/in/photostream/
The Netherlands does have just a handful of routes still operated by 1964-designed EMUs, particularly around Maastricht: https://www.flickr.com/photos/max_rail_photos_ii/13545280123/
Although as posts above say, there are many other countries further afield which have a lot more 'heritage' stock still in daily service, I've just given examples that I've experienced first-hand. The Netherlands in particular generally has a very modern network, the Plan V units are really on their last legs. As 87015 says, it's really a case of where you want to go.
The Netherlands does have just a handful of routes still operated by 1964-designed EMUs, particularly around Maastricht: https://www.flickr.com/photos/max_rail_photos_ii/13545280123/
Although as posts above say, there are many other countries further afield which have a lot more 'heritage' stock still in daily service, I've just given examples that I've experienced first-hand. The Netherlands in particular generally has a very modern network, the Plan V units are really on their last legs. As 87015 says, it's really a case of where you want to go.
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Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
There are still some ancient units in Paris:
Z5300 - a handful survive in the Melun area, although they are now doomed and may only have a year left.
MS61 - Still going strong on RER Line A, noted for having very musical motors. Again, their replacement is imminent - within two years they are likely to have all gone.
Less ancient ( 1970s ) but also known for making interesting noises are the Z6400 operating out of Gare St Lazare; there are 75 of them although the first withdrawal, Z6483, was made a couple of months ago. The volume of outstanding options ( 24 long and 19 short = 67 units equivalent ) on the new Z50000 units pretty much matches the Z6400 fleet size allowing for the greater flexibility and efficiency through a larger overall fleet. So it would be no great surprise if the options are excercised and the Z6400 rundown begins.
Z5300 - a handful survive in the Melun area, although they are now doomed and may only have a year left.
MS61 - Still going strong on RER Line A, noted for having very musical motors. Again, their replacement is imminent - within two years they are likely to have all gone.
Less ancient ( 1970s ) but also known for making interesting noises are the Z6400 operating out of Gare St Lazare; there are 75 of them although the first withdrawal, Z6483, was made a couple of months ago. The volume of outstanding options ( 24 long and 19 short = 67 units equivalent ) on the new Z50000 units pretty much matches the Z6400 fleet size allowing for the greater flexibility and efficiency through a larger overall fleet. So it would be no great surprise if the options are excercised and the Z6400 rundown begins.
theageofthetra
Established Member
Plenty of steam operated lines in Saxony. Or a visit nearer home to the Isle of Wight!
Some suggestions from what comes to mind at this late hour. I'll no doubt think of others as soon as I log off, but it's way past my bed time as I write this!
anyway here goes...
Germany
All DB Class 218 B-B diesels: Whilst the 218s were built in the 1970s the concept of the V160 family is from the late 1950s.
France
Most of the oldest stuff on SNCF has been sidelined in the last 5 years although the surviving Paris area BB17000 electrics are a 1960s design.
However there is lots of interest to be found in France’s narrow gauge and mountain railways. Starting with the youngest (1950s!):
There is a fascinating pocket of surviving 1950s trains in the Alps. The Chamonix – Montenvers (Mer de Glace) and Tramway du Mont Blanc mountain lines are geographically close to each other and both still 100% operated by trains built in 1954 (CM ) and 1956 (TMB)
Amazingly, two lines in the Pyrenees knock the 1950s stuff into a cocked hat – with stock over 100 years old in regular use.
The La Rhune rack railway uses 3-phase Rowan type locos built in 1912, and the Ligne de Cerdagne, aka Petit train Jaune uses stock dating from 1909 (albeit partly rebodied) .
Switzerland
A lot of modernisation here as with everywhere else, but with a few older designs still in use but on their last legs (eg RBe540 power cars (1950s design).
Likewise the iconic Re4/4II electric locos – a 1960s design - are beginning to decline – albeit versions of the same thing are in daily use deep into Germany and some are being rebuilt for extended further use in the Zürich area
A lot of modernisation in recent years on the extensive Swiss private and narrow gauge network has sidelined loads of older stuff, but there are pockets of ancientness to be found.
The Pilatus Bahn mountain railway (the steepest rack railway in the world) uses single cars dating from 1937.
Tucked away in the Jura mountains are the unusual for Switzerland Italian built railcars on Le Locle – Les Brenets . They were built in 1950.
Basel tramways still uses a few 1960s Swiss standard motor trams (and a good number of trailers of the same deign) (the last Swiss city to do so.
anyway here goes...
Germany
All DB Class 218 B-B diesels: Whilst the 218s were built in the 1970s the concept of the V160 family is from the late 1950s.
France
Most of the oldest stuff on SNCF has been sidelined in the last 5 years although the surviving Paris area BB17000 electrics are a 1960s design.
However there is lots of interest to be found in France’s narrow gauge and mountain railways. Starting with the youngest (1950s!):
There is a fascinating pocket of surviving 1950s trains in the Alps. The Chamonix – Montenvers (Mer de Glace) and Tramway du Mont Blanc mountain lines are geographically close to each other and both still 100% operated by trains built in 1954 (CM ) and 1956 (TMB)
Amazingly, two lines in the Pyrenees knock the 1950s stuff into a cocked hat – with stock over 100 years old in regular use.
The La Rhune rack railway uses 3-phase Rowan type locos built in 1912, and the Ligne de Cerdagne, aka Petit train Jaune uses stock dating from 1909 (albeit partly rebodied) .
Switzerland
A lot of modernisation here as with everywhere else, but with a few older designs still in use but on their last legs (eg RBe540 power cars (1950s design).
Likewise the iconic Re4/4II electric locos – a 1960s design - are beginning to decline – albeit versions of the same thing are in daily use deep into Germany and some are being rebuilt for extended further use in the Zürich area
A lot of modernisation in recent years on the extensive Swiss private and narrow gauge network has sidelined loads of older stuff, but there are pockets of ancientness to be found.
The Pilatus Bahn mountain railway (the steepest rack railway in the world) uses single cars dating from 1937.
Tucked away in the Jura mountains are the unusual for Switzerland Italian built railcars on Le Locle – Les Brenets . They were built in 1950.
Basel tramways still uses a few 1960s Swiss standard motor trams (and a good number of trailers of the same deign) (the last Swiss city to do so.
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Czech Rep. is on my to-do list after a first very limited experience (trains are more frequent and efficient generally and the ticketing less complex) and a good friend reckons Slovakia even better for vintage l/h stuff.
This site will let you identify l/h workings route by route http://www.zelpage.cz/trate/ceska-republika
but you'll need to refer to an atlas http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps.php
Panceltic
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dutchflyer
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The formerly Yugoslavia-esp. Serbije, has many old stock.
Old German trams-donated after the walls fell, are a plenty in Romania, but many are since renovated and some unrecognisable. In ROM for some private railways doing branches abandoned by CFR, are old SNCF/FR ''Caravelle'' diesel units.
Old German trams-donated after the walls fell, are a plenty in Romania, but many are since renovated and some unrecognisable. In ROM for some private railways doing branches abandoned by CFR, are old SNCF/FR ''Caravelle'' diesel units.
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