Catch them before they're gone

[43096]

Hoping this question isn't off topic as so far this thread has focused on Europe, but does anyone know if the XPT sets are still in regular use in Australia?

Yes they are. Still all in service.

 

[Gag Halfrunt]

Yes. They will remain in service at least until the delayed CAF bimode units enter service.

New South Wales XPT - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The trains have been subject to refurbishments and overhauls to permit their use into the twenty-first century. During October 2016, the NSW government announced the XPT fleet would be entirely replaced as part of the Regional Train Project. The replacement fleet, originally set to enter service in 2023, has encountered delays (now scheduled for around 2025–2027), thus the XPT will operate longer than originally anticipated with the potential for them to be retained after the new trains enter service.

 

[40129]

Thanks both. Will try to catch 'em while I can

 

[Richard Scott]

Hoping this question isn't off topic as so far this thread has focused on Europe, but does anyone know if the XPT sets are still in regular use in Australia?

There is a thread in international transport on it and, yes they are but may be just for rest of this year.

 

[CC 72100]

A very useful thread to have. I tend to only find out about older vehicles / rolling stock going after they have been withdrawn.

I’m more interested in buses, trolleybuses and trams. Sadly I’m not sure I’ll be able to go on many trips in 2025, but if I do I’ll be looking for older vehicles.

Vilnius is one of the last places with large batches of Škoda 14Tr and 15Tr types still in service (the boxy Eastern Bloc era type). 91 new Škodas are on order for delivery in 2024 and 2025 so I imagine that will see off all the older types.
The 14Tr and 15Tr are very difficult to track down in their native Czechia now. All gone from Brno. One 15Tr was still running in
České Budějovice in October but I didn’t manage to get a ride on it.

Managed to get a 15Tr this morning on line 7 in Vilnius. From what I gather, the 15Trs only come up on line 7 and during the working week.

In terms of 14Tr, they represent maybe 1 in every 5 trolleybus services, and pretty much don't come out on weekends.

On stops with full information displays, it's a good sign (for this purpose) when the vehicle is advertised as no air-con and no wheelchair boarding, as that indicates an older vehicle.

( I would attach an image, but it's too big a file size!)

 

[SLTRegular]

There is a thread in international transport on it and, yes they are but may be just for rest of this year.

They seem to be shorter than usual? Also Melbourne Sydney trains are up 14% at the moment so maybe there's hope some may stay

 

[Tester]

They seem to be shorter than usual? Also Melbourne Sydney trains are up 14% at the moment so maybe there's hope some may stay

Five carriages seems to be common at the moment.

I'm on two on Thursday night and Friday (Casino-Sydney-Melbourne) - will check

 

[SLTRegular]

Five carriages seems to be common at the moment.

I'm on two on Thursday night and Friday (Casino-Sydney-Melbourne) - will check

There's an extra rake stored in Flemington nearly every time I go past and sometimes one at Auburn also

 

[Pakenhamtrain]

They seem to be shorter than usual? Also Melbourne Sydney trains are up 14% at the moment so maybe there's hope some may stay

5 cars is the normal consist outside of busy periods. In those periods that add an extra carriage.

 

[route101]

What about the older TGV sets?

 

[signed]

What about the older TGV sets?

For the Atlantique (second gen), not until TGV M is fully rolled-out and cascades of the older TGV Duplex happen which will probably be more in the next decade

For TGV Réseau (3rd gen, the ones doing the non-Paris cross-country runs), they're here to stay for at least a decade.

 

[AY1975]

Not that immediate, but all Spanish non-PRM accesible trains are due to go by December 31, 2027. Classes 440, 446, 450, 451, 470, 524 and 592 have to go, while it's unknown whether classes 448, 526 and 598 will be retrofitted.

Does that mean the wooden-bodied EMUs on Mallorca will all be gone by then? And what about their wooden-bodied trams?

 

[HS2isgood]

Does that mean the wooden-bodied EMUs on Mallorca will all be gone by then? And what about their wooden-bodied trams?

No, that's heritage stock, don't worry.

 

[Essexman]

EC 6 to 9 will be replaced by ICE from December.

How disappointing. We did Cologne to Basel and back by EC last summer and it was brilliant and were planning to do the same in June.
I noticed that De Bahn website shows bistro only from Zurich to Basel and not into Germany? Is this correct?
Last year we enjoyed excellent food running beside the Rhine but the website now suggests there's none at all - for a long ride.

 

[rvdborgt]

I noticed that De Bahn website shows bistro only from Zurich to Basel and not into Germany? Is this correct?

Data error. The SBB WR stays on the train for the entire journey. See Vagonweb.cz or fernbahn.de.

 

[D1024]

still just about hanging in there on the Firenze-Pontassieve-Borgo San Lorenzo route....or were prior to the December timetable change. Any more recent reports?

Saw 2 D445 hauled (Borgo line) services at Firenze SMN on Tuesday morning (12/03). There were another 2 locos running about Light engine as well.

 

[D6130]

Saw 2 D445 hauled (Borgo line) services at Firenze SMN on Tuesday morning (12/03). There were another 2 locos running about Light engine as well.

That's good to hear. I was speaking to a friend in the pub last night who had just returned from Italy. He reckoned that there was still an early morning loco-worked Siena-Firenze and late evening Firenze-Siena for loco maintenance exchange purposes.... although he wasn't around at the right time of day to identify exactly which services they were. Although the locos can be fuelled and serviced at Firenze Romito depot, they have to return to Siena for any heavier maintenance. I shall be returning to Italy in three weeks time for a 90 day stint, so I'll keep an eye on the situation.

EDIT: It has been reported elsewhere by @Richard Scott that the 18 10 Firenze SMN-Siena was loco-hauled on 26th February....so maybe that's the loco changeover service? It departs SMN only ten minutes before the departure of the last bus back to our village....but I'll give it a quick look if I can when I'm there.

 

[peteb]

The Marseille to Nice TER still have some loco hauled corail sets, eg: today's (17/03/2025) train TER 17489, 1657 Marseille to Nice, load 7 corail. I understand these may cease in June........

Also in France, fans of rural routes may be interested to learn that the demolition gangs finally seem to have turned their attentions to the many station yards which have survived more or less intact into the 21st century. In particular there's a gang out this week between Moulins and Paray-le-Monial on the Lyon to Tours TER route. Points being straight-railed, sidings dug up, piles of timber sleepers everywhere. Some rural routes still retain jointed track, telegraph poles, water towers, yard cranes etc. So do visit central France this year before more if it goes.

Felletin, terminus of a route from Limoges via Guéret is due to close in August and several lines limp on with one through train a day. Worth a visit is the Tours to La Roche sur Yon route, over 100 miles of single track via Bressuire. Again some intact infrastructure, jointed rails, semaphore signals etc.

 

[peteb]

Track lifting near Paray le Monial; sémaphores at Bressuire, France.

 

[D1024]

That's good to hear. I was speaking to a friend in the pub last night who had just returned from Italy. He reckoned that there was still an early morning loco-worked Siena-Firenze and late evening Firenze-Siena for loco maintenance exchange purposes.... although he wasn't around at the right time of day to identify exactly which services they were. Although the locos can be fuelled and serviced at Firenze Romito depot, they have to return to Siena for any heavier maintenance. I shall be returning to Italy in three weeks time for a 90 day stint, so I'll keep an eye on the situation.

EDIT: It has been reported elsewhere by @Richard Scott that the 18 10 Firenze SMN-Siena was loco-hauled on 26th February....so maybe that's the loco changeover service? It departs SMN only ten minutes before the departure of the last bus back to our village....but I'll give it a quick look if I can when I'm there.

I passed through SMN again last Thursday evening and checked the 2138 to Siena which is the last timetabled service of the day - it was a pair of 412 tri-mode units. Hopefully I should be staying a couple of nights in Firenze at the beginning of May so will try and check that earlier service.

 

[signed]

I understand these may cease in June........

They will, Summer season going to be fun

 

[nwales58]

The Woltersdorf T57 Gothawagens have had somewhat of a reprieve ... replacement by the new Moderus Gamma cars ... starts early next year.

Woltersdorf Gothas now 'gone'. Service was all Modertrans Gamma last week. SRS web site says there was a farewell service of Gothas on 01/03/2025 and they are now in reserve.

Similarly, the last operable Düwag GT6 in nearby Shöneiche, also running generally only on the afternoon 'Ersatz' is to be stood down imminently. This has already had somewhat of a reprieve and is formed of two halves of different vehicles, following various mishaps.

Trees seem a big risk to their rolling stock, even at the depot!

The Duewag was out last week but only saw it on a Dienstfahrt. I assume it operates the school extras as it does not have a low floor section. Tatra KTNF6 plus the two 'new' Transtech Artics were in service or doing driver training so still a variety.

 

[ajrm]

A few that spring to mind are SNCF BB67400s, down to a few diagrams around Strasbourg, SNCB 2100 and 2700 must be on borrowed time as must Norwegian Di4s?

I'm planning an Interrail trip through France and Switzerland and I just found out about these diesel-hauled turns in the Strasbourg area. There's a little information here

January2025 News » French Railways Society

The website of the French Railways Society, an english language society for those interested in all aspects of french railways

frenchrailwayssociety.org

but after a bit of searching around I haven't turned up much more detail on the workings. Can anyone supply further information please?

 

[alex397]

Not sure if Trolleybuses are relevant for this thread, but Budapest incredibly still has 1980s Ikarus types still running in service in 2025. They only come out at peak times though, which in the afternoon is quite long and starts at 2pm. Judging from last week, there are just 3 active examples in service each day. Last week, there were two on the 80 and one in the 75A. The excellent BudapestGo app shows the vehicle types which was very helpful in tracking them down.
I’m not sure there’s anywhere else now that still has non-low floor Ikarus Trolleybuses in service, apart from perhaps Sofia.
I’ve noticed a theme for Hungary - when old types still operate, they tend to be in very good condition.

 

[Richard Scott]

I'm planning an Interrail trip through France and Switzerland and I just found out about these diesel-hauled turns in the Strasbourg area. There's a little information here

January2025 News » French Railways Society

The website of the French Railways Society, an english language society for those interested in all aspects of french railways

frenchrailwayssociety.org

but after a bit of searching around I haven't turned up much more detail on the workings. Can anyone supply further information please?

The 67400s do a couple of morning and evening commuter turns. There are supposed to be about 3 diagrams but believe is often two. Don't have exact workings to hand but if at Strasbourg around 5pm sure you should see them. Think one turn is a round trip and then one trip out and returns in the morning so can get a reasonable run.
The 22200s have about 6 diagrams and you'll definitely see those if at Strasbourg am/pm commuter times. They run to Saverne and Selestat (apologies to French speakers for lack of accents, sure there should be some!!).

 

[DanielB]

For who missed the last Plan V services in the Netherlands: as of early May one is returning in regular passenger services on a few morning peak services between Amersfoort and Barneveld Zuid.

Keolis leased one from a heritage group for 2 years to replace trains in their regular fleet during refurbishment.
Source (in Dutch): https://www.treinenweb.nl/nieuws/11...rt-binnenkort-terug-in-dienst-bij-keolis.html

 

[ajrm]

The 67400s do a couple of morning and evening commuter turns. There are supposed to be about 3 diagrams but believe is often two. Don't have exact workings to hand but if at Strasbourg around 5pm sure you should see them. Think one turn is a round trip and then one trip out and returns in the morning so can get a reasonable run.
The 22200s have about 6 diagrams and you'll definitely see those if at Strasbourg am/pm commuter times. They run to Saverne and Selestat (apologies to French speakers for lack of accents, sure there should be some!!).

Really useful, thanks!

 

[D6130]

Having now arrived in Italy for our three month Spring sojourn, I can now provide an update on the Trenitalia D445 situation in Tuscany. All Firenze - Siena and vice-versa services are now booked to be worked by the new HTR312/412 bi-mode units. However quite a few of Siena depot's class D445 diesel-electric locos are still active on the Firenze SMN - Borgo San Lorenzo via Pontassieve route.

Although they and their accompanying five car push-pull sets can be fuelled and serviced at Firenze Romito depot (in the triangle just outside Santa Maria Novella station), they have to return to Siena for heavier maintenance. Quite frequently, the 08 48 from Siena and 18 10 from Firenze are still loco-worked for maintenance changeover purposes....but not always. The current (April) issue of the Italian railway magazine "I Treni" (Trains) has a photo of a convoy of three locos (445 1137/1143 and 1035....the latter being the usual Romito depot breakdown train loco) running light from Firenze to Siena for periodic exams.

Last Thursday, 10/04/2025, I spent about four hours watching and videoing trains at Firenze Campo di Marte (Yes, I know....
but I had to do something while my wife was doing the rounds of museums and art galleries!). During that time, I saw and videoed three loco-hauled trains heading for Borgo....445 1090 on the 14 10 from SMN, 1143 on the 16 50 and 1132 on the 17 50. Interestingly, all the trains that I saw returning from Borgo were units....so I assume that the loco plus push-pull sets must remain in Borgo overnight for the peak and school services the following morning.

 

[CC 72100]

The 67400s do a couple of morning and evening commuter turns. There are supposed to be about 3 diagrams but believe is often two. Don't have exact workings to hand but if at Strasbourg around 5pm sure you should see them. Think one turn is a round trip and then one trip out and returns in the morning so can get a reasonable run.
The 22200s have about 6 diagrams and you'll definitely see those if at Strasbourg am/pm commuter times. They run to Saverne and Selestat (apologies to French speakers for lack of accents, sure there should be some!!).

Evening working is the 1701 to Saint-Dié-des-Vosges TER 831830 (6 car) and the other diagram is 1620 Strasbourg - Lauterbourg TER 830726, which returns as the 1740 from Lauterbourg and then does a further return trip (3 coaches).

Annoyingly dud locos for me, as when I did these trains in November 2024, they were locos I'd both had some 10+ years earlier on the (now long gone) 1705/1805 Transilien P workings from Paris Est to La Ferté-Milon.

 

[class387]

Not sure if Trolleybuses are relevant for this thread, but Budapest incredibly still has 1980s Ikarus types still running in service in 2025. They only come out at peak times though, which in the afternoon is quite long and starts at 2pm. Judging from last week, there are just 3 active examples in service each day. Last week, there were two on the 80 and one in the 75A. The excellent BudapestGo app shows the vehicle types which was very helpful in tracking them down.
I’m not sure there’s anywhere else now that still has non-low floor Ikarus Trolleybuses in service, apart from perhaps Sofia.
I’ve noticed a theme for Hungary - when old types still operate, they tend to be in very good condition.

Caught one in Sofia two weeks ago, and they seem even more original than the Budapest ones with slatted doors, but there was at most one out per day, on no fixed duty or route.