Recent content by csd

I'm not an expert, but from what I've noticed: The codes are unique A codes are for intercity, with the second character denoting the service origin/destination as follows: Belfast Cork Tralee Limerick Waterford Rosslare Galway Westport/Ballina Sligo Within A codes, even numbers are Down...

As well as the electrification programme, there are a lot of other works planned for the next 20 years as well. Even if it has the cash, Ireland doesn't have the workforce, planning system, housing, or other infrastructure needed to deliver it all at once. Part of it is a legacy of the global...

A September 2024 presentation given by IE's Director of Capital Projects included a map of the proposed electrification by 2050 - see below. Note that this is already out of date as 25kV is now planned for Cork - Cobh/Midleton. Notable for this thread is the fact that 25 kV AC is proposed for...

CAF's case hasn't been rejected - the court has simply lifted the suspension of the contract to allow it to be signed before the end of the month. Stadler indicated that they wouldn't be able to deliver trains to meet the EU funding deadline of 31.12.2029 unless the contract was signed by...

Hello, We'll be arriving into Venice Santa Lucia at 22.55 on 26.10.2025 off the Frecciarossa from Naples. I see from the Belmond site that the Orient Express arrives at 19.07 the same evening. Does anyone know if the VSOE stables at the platform overnight, or if there's another opportunity to...

Hi folks, Well I'm back from my trip to Lapland, and everything went smoothly in regards to the car transportation. Some notes that might be useful to others doing this itinerary in future. I left the rest of the family (and dog) at Central instead of Pasila. We'd been staying at the Scandic...

The rest of my party (travelling on a separate booking) will be leaving from Central, so I'll probably offload child + dog there. I presume there won't be an issue with that - I don't remember a ticket check boarding in Helsinki last time (2021) so hopefully VR haven't suddenly got stricter...

Thanks - so after I check in, I park up, go to the waiting room, wait to be called, load the car, then walk back to Pasila? I'll have the 3PMSF tyres on order :) /csd

Thanks for the replies everyone. I had gone through the English section of the vr.fi site, and though it’s mostly excellent, as Gloster states in only says to ‘go to the departure platform of the night train’: it doesn’t specifically state which station this platform is in (ie Paisla or or...

Hello, I'm trying to work out what happens at Pasila (Helsinki) when loading cars onto the night train. It seems clear enough that anyone accompanying the driver has to board from the main Pasila passenger station, and they wait there while the driver brings the car the few hundred metres down...

Folks, I've noticed there's still no availability showing beyond April for Dublin - Holyhead Sail Rail journeys. It's the same on nationalrail.co.uk and Irish Ferries. Anyone know why this is, and when the timetables might be loaded? Thanks, /csd

So in the end we had a very pleasant trip. We didn't order anything hot, but drinks and cold snacks were provided by the attendant (cash only - the machine was broken), who proactively asked us if we wanted to order anything. The train left Vienna within five minutes of schedule and arrived in...

Sadly this time we're in a couchette, so the lounge won't be an option! /csd

Thanks for the replies - will eat at the Hbf but I'll report back after the trip!

Hello, Simple question, but does anyone know if the new NightJet stock as the catering sorted yet? I believe I read somewhere that (at least at the beginning) only cold food was being served. Is the full range of hot/cold/drinks now available? Travelling Vienna - Hamburg early next month so...