Notices by Jon Worth (jon@gruene.social), page 4

Now at what feels like the 6th last rail speech from Gilkinet

In the messed up world of French railways this OUIGO makes sense

But it’s still stupid, and some of the rhetoric at the launch made me want to scream

And when I’m no longer cold and damp (from cycling in the rain earlier) I’ll post more about this train

The line that really rankled: OUIGO is the service that will persuade young people to take the train again

From the boss of OUIGO at the event

Sorry France but that’s because you’ve made your entire offer outside Paris too expensive and complex to use!

And I asked SNCB’s spokesperson why the train is compulsory reservation, and he looked confused. “It’s a partnership” he eventually said.

In other words: SNCF imposed this.

I explained it to him like this: imagine your grandmother falls ill and you need to get to Genk (other end of Belgium) right now to see her

SNCB would get you there

Imagine your grandmother were in Aulnoye (France, one of the stops on OUIGO) and there are no seats left - you’d be stuck, and wouldn’t be allowed to stand

We’re still at this way of thinking: national rail is a crucial public service of last resort

#CrossBorderRail is - at many borders - instead just a “nice to have”

@valhalla yes it is. But the restored part is a good way south of the border.

Recap so far

Pic 1: Chiasso VG 🇨🇭 - Como S. Giovanni 🇮🇹 (border divides the station in two)

Pics 2, 3: Stabio 🇨🇭 - S Margherita Confine 🇮🇹 (pic 2 is the border, pic 3 the voltage change)

Pic 4: Stabio 🇨🇭 - Arcisate 🇮🇹 (abandoned line)

Groningen has an amazing station hall. Once the track side renovations are done it’s going to be an excellent station overall!

#CrossBorderRail Timetable change days Train 8 of 32
ECD 9512
06:03 Amsterdam Zuid - Bruxelles Midi 08:03
NS, SNCB

Train type: Alstom ICNG EMU, 8 carriages
⚡️ (1.5kV dc, then 25kV ac, then 1.5kV dc, then 25kV ac, then 3kV dc)
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (supposed to be step free)
🛜: ✅
🍽️: ⛔️
🧳: 🙂 (well designed, all racks good)
🧽: 🙂 (spotless)

ECD 9512
06:03 Amsterdam Zuid - Bruxelles Midi 08:03

Distance: 204km
Average speed: 102km/h

4 stops:
Schiphol (Airport)
Rotterdam Centraal
Antwerpen Centraal
Bruxelles Midi

This train, mapped: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-extra-days-2024_1030682#9/51.5924/4.6046

#CrossBorderRail Timetable change days Train 9 of 32
EC 9223
08:44 Bruxelles Midi - Rotterdam Centraal 10:50
SNCB, NS

Train type: Bombardier TRAXX top and tailing 6 I11 carriages
⚡️ (3kV dc, then 25kV ac, then 1.5kV dc, then 25kV ac, then 1.5kV dc)
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (ramp on platforms, accessible area is only in silent carriage)
🛜: ⛔️
🍽️: ⛔️
🧳: 😐 (no racks for large bags, narrow steps)
🧽: 🙂

EC 9223
08:44 Bruxelles Midi - Rotterdam Centraal 10:50

Distance: 157km
Average speed: 75km/h

9 stops:
Bruxelles-Central
Bruxelles-Nord
Brussels Airport - Zaventem
Mechelen
Antwerpen-Berchem
Antwerpen Centraal
Noorderkempen
Breda
Rotterdam Centraal

This train, mapped: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-extra-days-2024_1030682#9/51.5788/4.6019

#CrossBorderRail Timetable change days Train 11 of 32
37352
14:18 Leeuwarden - Groningen 14:52
Arriva Nederland

Train type: Stadler WINK bi mode MU, 2 carriages
🌱 ⛽ (HVO)
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (step free)
🛜: ✅
🍽️: ⛔️
🧳: 😐 (multi use area cramped, too many seats)
🧽: 😐 (grimy outside)

37352
14:18 Leeuwarden - Groningen 14:52

Distance: 54km
Average speed: 95km/h

3 stops:
Feanwalden
Buitenpost
Groningen

This train, mapped: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-extra-days-2024_1030682#11/53.2262/6.1788

Welcome to today's thread - #CrossBorderRail Timetable change days - Den Haag - Amsterdam - Bruxelles - Rotterdam - Leeuwarden - Groningen - Den Haag

Crossing these borders:
TWICE! Antwerpen Centraal 🇧🇪 - Rotterdam Centraal 🇳🇱 (high speed line, crossed before)

These borders on the borders map:
https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-all-the-borders_935041#13/51.4922/4.7278

Today's routes on the routes map:
https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-extra-days-2024_1030682#8/52.062/5.478

Why am I starting today‘s #CrossBorderRail at 4am? Explained in today‘s intro video

https://peertube.netzbegruenung.de/w/bcq2dH29BY2EMKsDjqT7Mh

#CrossBorderRail Timetable change days Train 7 of 32
IC 1418
04:22 Den Haag HS - Amsterdam Centraal 05:16
NS

Train type: Talbot-Bombardier VIRM EMU, 4 double deck carriages
⚡️ (1.5kV dc)
🚲: ✅
🦽: ✅ (ramp on platform)
🛜: ✅
🍽️: ⛔️
🧳: 😐 (cramped double deck design)
🧽: 😐 (grimy outside)

IC 1418
04:22 Den Haag HS - Amsterdam Centraal 05:16

Distance: 59.6km
Average speed: 66km/h

3 stops:
Leiden Centraal
Schiphol (Airport)
Amsterdam Centraal

This train, mapped: https://umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/crossborderrail-extra-days-2024_1030682#11/52.2328/4.6112