Prague: weekday trip

[railfan99]

There's been recent discussion about good day trips from Prague on weekends.

This Northern Hemisphere autumn, I should be in Prague with a spare weekday.

What are one or two ideas for a day trip - perhaps an 0900 hours departure, and back by say 1800 hours?

A branch line railcar would be great. Many thanks.

 

[30907]

There's been recent discussion about good day trips from Prague on weekends.

This Northern Hemisphere autumn, I should be in Prague with a spare weekday.

What are one or two ideas for a day trip - perhaps an 0900 hours departure, and back by say 1800 hours?

A branch line railcar would be great. Many thanks.

The obvious one is the "Prague Semmering" via Smichov which climbs the hillside to the SW of the city and on to Hostivice (PHA-Zlicin is within the city zone and you can get a tram back down.
Main line to Cercany, then 212 towards Zruc - combine with a visit to Cesky Sternberk Castle.
Or line 210 to Cercany which is very scenic in parts.

 

[j2002]

From a trip last summer, I would highly recommend a trip on the line to Sedlčany (which I boarded at Benešov I think?). The line was very rural and the unit had drop down windows. Didn't take too long, so you would probably have time to visit a few other places too?

 

[30907]

From a trip last summer, I would highly recommend a trip on the line to Sedlčany (which I boarded at Benešov I think?). The line was very rural and the unit had drop down windows. Didn't take too long, so you would probably have time to visit a few other places too?



View attachment 178497

Olbramovice - not too far from Cercany.
There is one from Benesov as well, to Vlasim.

 

[railfan99]

30907 and j2002 , many thanks. Excellent suggestions.

I assume branch lines such as Sedlcany have no freight so it's extraordinary that they survive into the second quarter of the 21st century with single car railcars.

 

[Segedunum]

30907 and j2002 , many thanks. Excellent suggestions.

I assume branch lines such as Sedlcany have no freight so it's extraordinary that they survive into the second quarter of the 21st century with single car railcars.

These lines are usually pretty low-speed, low-cost to operate. It'll just be one (lightweight, as in the image provided by @j2002) unit in operation and most intermediate stops are just gravel with a shelter and sign or two. Most have a conductor but some don't. The Czech Republic tends to occasionally close lines which have become too costly to maintain, especially when a bus service would be significantly quicker.

When the 810s become totally life-expired, who knows what will happen. But ČD still continues to refurbish them, with some in the Ostrava/Opava area reclassified as 811s with brand-new seating and power outlets. They've even gained the brand name 'Regiomouse'.

If you're feeling like an early rise - the Neratovice to Kralupy nad Vltavou line has two early morning return trips operated by KZC Doprava. Its usually one of the same lightweight railcars as in the photo above, but in a closer-to-original condition. You'd be back in Prague for 9am in time for a proper day trip! Timetable here - https://m.kzc.cz/?sekce=pravidelne_verejne_vlaky&stranka=linka_s43