Krakow (Poland) to Berlin (Germany) by train

[The Snap]

Hi people,

Am going to Krakow in Poland on Thursday with school. We're traveling from Krakow to Berlin on the over night sleeper train on Saturday night, so was wondering what train it would be?

My knowledge of foreign rail is non-existent - any ideas whether this train is diesel, electric or even steam?! If diesel, is it ratable traction or something pointless like a 67? :???:

Also, what is the general view of bashing over their?

Cheers,

 

[gordonthemoron]

I expect that it will be electric. Checkout route on http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/map.php?file=maps/poland/poland.gif

 

[KingBBoogaloo]

No idea about traction but............

Im guessing its train D344, which by the time it has reached Berlin will have cars from, not just Krakow but Lvov, Simferopol, and Kiev.

When in Poland keep an eye out for these: http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/pl/electric/EU07/001-049/pkpj1057.jpg They were built in Poland under licence from English Electric and are based on our class 83s.

Or even better, one of these: http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/pl/electric/EU06/EU06-17_Skalnica_lodygowice_2007-05-06_2.jpg Thats the same as above but was built by English Electric in Newton-le-Willows and shipped over there.

 

[Julian G]

I just found the Train Id Number for the Sleeper you're travelling on
TLK38705 (Kraków-Poznan) D/P 344 (Poznan-Berlin)
Kraków Glówny-Berlin Gesundbrunnen
here are the traction that could work the service
Kraków Glówny-Poznan Glówny-
EU06 CM Kraków
EU07 CM Wroclaw
EU07 CM Kraków
EU07 CM Poznan
EP07 CM Kraków
Poznan Glówny-Rzepin (border town)
EP08 CM Poznan
EU07 CM Poznan
Rzepin (border town)-Berlin
A Czech electric loco or a DB 233/234

 

[Mojo]

Seems like the question has already been answered. I was in Berlin last year and witnessed some ancient-looking DB loco (electric) hauling some even more ancient-looking coaches on a Moscow to Berlin express, whilst I was at Freidrichstraße station. I don't know how long you'll be hanging around for, but there's lots to look at in Berlin - the Hbf is pretty amazing.

 

[The Snap]

Im guessing its train D344, which by the time it has reached Berlin will have cars from, not just Krakow but Lvov, Simferopol, and Kiev.

Yeah, I was told about that. It picks up coaches on each border doesn't it? Apparently, according to my teacher, there are armed guards on each one and you're not allowed into the other countries coaches (so I’d be in the Polish one(s))?


Cheers guys, looks like some electric thrash then! :razz:

 

[KingBBoogaloo]

The days of armed guards are long gone.

You will still get the Border Guards and some times the local Police showing there faces.

As for getting into the other coaches, the Sleeping car attendant might put a stop to it, but nothing more than that.

It looks like your coaches will get shunted on to those from further afield at Poznan (hence the two diffrent Train numbers J_G reports) which can make for a rude awakening at about 3am if the shunters are in a bad mood.

 

[The Snap]

Looking forward to it! If I fancy a bit of a flail out of the window...will I be froaned upon? :-P

 

[KingBBoogaloo]

Shot on sight.

 

[The Snap]

Shot on sight.

We managed to get some bashing in, was pretty funny going through the stations and over level crossings...people looked at us right funny...!

 

[Oracle]

The Schenken Agreement applies to various borders now, so that the days of the German-Polish crossing rigmarole have gone. In theory.

Many years ago a g/f of mine at Uni went to see a Polish friend..she travelled by train to West Berlin, then had to cross the border into East Berlin then catch a train to Warsaw. Scary! However I would imagine that female student probably had an easier passage...they could be commies as well!