Notices by lars' transport world (larstransportworld@mastodon.social)

Now online on larstransportmaps: the 2026 🇫🇮 #Finland 🚂 rail diagram
I took the opportunity to clarify a few things on the diagram. This didn’t necessarily make the diagram look any better, but it is now more accurate.
👉 https://larstransportmaps.com/2026/04/05/rail-services-in-finland-2026/
(edited: linguistic adjustments to the diagram)

Servus! Our short trip to explore some 🇦🇹 branch lines begins with the ÖBB #NightJet service from Zurich to Graz. This is the only NightJet service starting in Zurich that I have never travelled on before. Our sleeper compartment is looking a bit worn out. Anyway, we arrive in Graz on time. Welcome to #SteierMarch! I am going to toot some impressions, not strictly chronologically.

Hidden attraction of the Lokalbahn Peggau-Übelbach for inhabitants of Zurich like me and @dominicstucki: The former SZU rolling stock that has been in use here between 1994 or 1996 and 2021. In Übelbach, an abandoned control car is waiting on... nothing? The corresponding former SZU railcar could be seen in the train shed. #SteierMarch

The first branch line of this trip is the Lokalbahn Peggau-Übelbach. There are hourly S11 services, with two trains continuing to Graz each day. Services are less frequent on Saturdays. There don't seem to be any trains on Sundays! This 10 km long line has ten intermediate stops, most of which are request stops. It almost feels like travelling by bus into a gentle valley on rails. #SteierMarch

Most GKB S6 trains are operated with a control car. Currently, its main purpose is to provide step-free accessibility. At Wies-Eibiswald terminus, the Vectron locomotive has to run round the train. At Graz Hbf, the locomotives are changed. #SteierMarch

The GKB S6 line runs along the eastern section of the Koralmbahn between Graz and Wettmannstätten. From there, it continues on a branch line to Deutschlandsberg and Wies-Eibiswald. Speaking of Deutschland: The trains are operated using two or three (!) double-deck carriages from DB Gebrauchtzug and black Vectron locomotives. Despite the small number of carriages, the trains observed were used rather poorly. #SteierMarch

GKB's other two lines, S61 and S7, use more conventional rolling stock — at least, most of the trains. #SteierMarch

Capturing the absurdity of the GKB S6 trains in sunny weather... 😍 #SteierMarch

Another StB line departs from Graz Hbf: the S31 to Weiz. On the main Weizer Bahn line between Gleisdorf and Weiz, there is at least an hourly service from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, there is a two-hourly service. There are no services on Sundays. Between Weiz Bahnhof and Weiz Nord, the S31 trains becomes a tram. #SteierMarch

Additional afternoon REX7 trains between Graz and Köflach operate with loco-hauled double-deck coaches from the 1990s. Most of the trains we saw had two coaches, and some had three. There was a mix of old and new livery. #SteierMarch

It is time for an 🚋 excursion into the town of Graz. As the trams are rather full, the plan is to take some pictures rather than ride on them. #SteierMarch

Not only the manufacturer of the StB Class 5062 DMU (Stadler Gtw) reminds me of home, but also a train that we are rolling past in Graz... 👀 #SteierMarch

My 🇳🇴 #Norway rail diagram 2026 is now available on my blog.
👉 https://larstransportmaps.com/rail-services-in-norway-2026/

Apart from the first three weeks, #BlankSpots was booked more or less spontaneously, bearing in mind my 'must-dos'. I would do it the same way again, even though I couldn't fit in everything I wanted to do, such as visiting Eastern Europe. But my FOMO would have kicked in anyway — you can't fit everything into three months. And sometimes, fully booked trains or overpriced accommodation offered the opportunity to visit beautiful places I hadn't heard of before. (3/16)

It was a heartfelt wish of mine. To travel by train through Europe for three months and uncover some of the #BlankSpots on my map. I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to take this trip. Even more so, given that it was unclear whether the trip would be possible for personal reasons. Since I don't want the trip to end, I hope you don't mind if I celebrate by sharing a summary with statistics and pictures. Perhaps it will inspire others. (2/16)

A report on my three-month bonkers #rail trip #BlankSpots through 🇪🇺 #Europe, covering the northeasternmost station in the EU (Kemijärvi) and southwesternmost station in Europe (Lagos)?

👉 Summary is about to follow in this 🧵 thread (1/16)

👉 Toots in full length:
Part 1 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿: https://mastodon.social/@larstransportworld/114953909838251833
Part 2 🇨🇮: https://mastodon.social/@larstransportworld/115004117714174297
Part 3 🇩🇪🇩🇰🇸🇪🇧🇻: https://mastodon.social/@larstransportworld/115019991526902162
Part 4 🇫🇮🇪🇪🇸🇪: https://mastodon.social/@larstransportworld/115090638326511087
Part 5 🇸🇪🇩🇰🇩🇪🇨🇭🇫🇷🇪🇦: https://mastodon.social/@larstransportworld/115267119810896407
Part 6 🇵🇹🇪🇦🇫🇷🇨🇭: https://mastodon.social/@larstransportworld/115328328502630717

Nevertheless, as you've probably noticed, I couldn't resist sharing some charming scenes of the old towns from my #BlankSpots trip. (6/16)

However, I decided not to post about the overly touristy destinations of #BlankSpots, as they are well-known enough. This made me think about overtourism, which I have experienced in many places. I try to reduce my global impact by avoiding air travel and animal-based products. However, my local impact remains the same on site. I am one of (too) many. This is also why I sometimes opt for smaller, lesser-known destinations. (5/16)

Why am I posting about my #BlankSpot trip here? It involves a lot of work, though! Well, partly because I want to encourage people to travel by train. It's a great, ecofriendly way to travel. I'm well aware that I have a lot of time now, and as someone living in Switzerland, I'm in a good position to begin with. However, discovering intermediate regions is a great part of it in any case. In addition, I hope that those who already travel by train a lot could take away some new inspiration. (4/16)

As on the way to Spain, the slogan for the journey back to Switzerland is #ÉviterLesTGV. I'm taking the TER from Narbonne to Avignon. It's a classic AGC ride along the Mediterranean coast to the Rhône delta. #BlankSpots