caravanman
Engineer
Hi Folks,
Not done much train riding since my trip to India last year, but have just enjoyed a little train trip to Poland, via Holland and Germany.
Here in the UK, there is a train and ferry combined ticket available, for those of us who prefer "the long way round" to mainland Europe, as an alternative to flying or the Eurotunnel.
This ticket covers travel from any East Anglia train station, the ferry to Holland, and onward travel to any Dutch station.
My one way ticket including a cabin on the ferry for the night sailing cost £92.50, it would be a little cheaper if I had booked in advance, instead of just a couple of days ahead, and also the daytime crossing can be done without the sleeping cabin costs.
I rate it as pretty good value, as it includes the onward train costs within Holland.
On previous similar jaunts, I have gone down to London from Nottingham and then travelled to the ferry port of Harwich from Liverpool Street main line station. I remember the "Boat Train" as an important priority express train from my time at British Rail, back in the 1970's, but sadly that has all changed, now it is a regular commuter type train, so not so romantic!
For this trip I decided to travel cross country to Harwich, via Peterborough and Stowemarket.
Arrived at the Port of Harwich in plenty of time, and was soon through the security and passport checks and aboard the ferry. Not many of the passengers use "rail and sail", the vast majority were either from private cars, coaches, or heavy goods drivers.
I had a quick walk around the ferry and then enjoyed a cup of tea made with my trusty travel kettle, a bite to eat, and a very peaceful sleep as we sailed towards Holland.
Misty morning as we near the coast, and lost one hour of sleep, due to the time difference.
It takes just a few minutes to get through customs and immigration, and the frequent train service is waiting nearby. This first train heads towards Rotterdam, I get off at Schiedam, and take another train to Amsterdam, then change again for Bovenkarspel Flora, where my hotel is.
I am a little early, and my family run hotel is closed... I wander around for an hour or so, and buy some fries and mayo, with a nod towards Pulp Fiction. The hotel is up and running by the time I get back, so after checking in, I decide to make more use of my included day pass, and head back into Amsterdam, courtesy of my rail/sail travel pass.
I had a stroll down the main street, enjoying the big city vibe, one or two youngsters looked a bit "spaced out", probably they had spent too long in the coffee houses...
I was starting to droop with fatigue myself at this point, so after snapping a few photos I called into a supermarket for some food supplies, and headed back to the station, and so to my hotel.
Amsterdam is popular, and hotel prices tend to be higher than I like to pay, so I was pleased to find a hotel to the north of the city, near the coast, at a cheap rate.
The hotel ground floor and restaurant were very old, with heavy and grand furniture and fittings. My room was in a more recent part of the building, and was just about acceptable, although rather in need of refreshing.
I spent three nights at Bovenkarspel Flora, The first day after my arrival I walked to the nearby coastal town of Enkhuisen, which has some interesting buildings from the 1600's, as well as very many large old sailing vessels. I was pleased to see one of these 3 mast ships under sail.
The Sunday, 22 May was my 64th birthday, and I had decided to treat myself to a ride on a steam tram. Hoorn is home to the steam tram museum, and the line runs from there to Medemblik, another coastal town.
Although described as a tram, it is pretty much a steam train, but designed to run at slow speed, so the engines and passenger coaches are of lighter construction than a fully fledged train.
Most of the staff associated with the museum and tram service spoke good English, so I was able to make the most of my visit. The museum has a fully working signal box, and a repair depot where several engines and coaches are being renovated.
I noticed an old advert for "Welsh Anthracite" coal, but was told they use a type of Russian "black" coal, as cleaner burning then their former Polish coal supply.
Medemblik was having a singing festival on this day, so passengers were entertained by many choirs during our visit.
There was an option to travel on the return journey by boat, but of course I chose the train again. The return journey was with a different set of coaches, and a small diesel engine.
A fairly early night was in order, as I wanted to leave the hotel by 6.30 am on Monday morning to reach Amsterdam in good time for my next train ride to Berlin...
Please click the link for photos
:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154176065234120.1073741883.682004119&type=1&l=2d2fc60152
(To be continued...)
Not done much train riding since my trip to India last year, but have just enjoyed a little train trip to Poland, via Holland and Germany.
Here in the UK, there is a train and ferry combined ticket available, for those of us who prefer "the long way round" to mainland Europe, as an alternative to flying or the Eurotunnel.
This ticket covers travel from any East Anglia train station, the ferry to Holland, and onward travel to any Dutch station.
My one way ticket including a cabin on the ferry for the night sailing cost £92.50, it would be a little cheaper if I had booked in advance, instead of just a couple of days ahead, and also the daytime crossing can be done without the sleeping cabin costs.
I rate it as pretty good value, as it includes the onward train costs within Holland.
On previous similar jaunts, I have gone down to London from Nottingham and then travelled to the ferry port of Harwich from Liverpool Street main line station. I remember the "Boat Train" as an important priority express train from my time at British Rail, back in the 1970's, but sadly that has all changed, now it is a regular commuter type train, so not so romantic!
For this trip I decided to travel cross country to Harwich, via Peterborough and Stowemarket.
Arrived at the Port of Harwich in plenty of time, and was soon through the security and passport checks and aboard the ferry. Not many of the passengers use "rail and sail", the vast majority were either from private cars, coaches, or heavy goods drivers.
I had a quick walk around the ferry and then enjoyed a cup of tea made with my trusty travel kettle, a bite to eat, and a very peaceful sleep as we sailed towards Holland.
Misty morning as we near the coast, and lost one hour of sleep, due to the time difference.
It takes just a few minutes to get through customs and immigration, and the frequent train service is waiting nearby. This first train heads towards Rotterdam, I get off at Schiedam, and take another train to Amsterdam, then change again for Bovenkarspel Flora, where my hotel is.
I am a little early, and my family run hotel is closed... I wander around for an hour or so, and buy some fries and mayo, with a nod towards Pulp Fiction. The hotel is up and running by the time I get back, so after checking in, I decide to make more use of my included day pass, and head back into Amsterdam, courtesy of my rail/sail travel pass.
I had a stroll down the main street, enjoying the big city vibe, one or two youngsters looked a bit "spaced out", probably they had spent too long in the coffee houses...
I was starting to droop with fatigue myself at this point, so after snapping a few photos I called into a supermarket for some food supplies, and headed back to the station, and so to my hotel.
Amsterdam is popular, and hotel prices tend to be higher than I like to pay, so I was pleased to find a hotel to the north of the city, near the coast, at a cheap rate.
The hotel ground floor and restaurant were very old, with heavy and grand furniture and fittings. My room was in a more recent part of the building, and was just about acceptable, although rather in need of refreshing.
I spent three nights at Bovenkarspel Flora, The first day after my arrival I walked to the nearby coastal town of Enkhuisen, which has some interesting buildings from the 1600's, as well as very many large old sailing vessels. I was pleased to see one of these 3 mast ships under sail.
The Sunday, 22 May was my 64th birthday, and I had decided to treat myself to a ride on a steam tram. Hoorn is home to the steam tram museum, and the line runs from there to Medemblik, another coastal town.
Although described as a tram, it is pretty much a steam train, but designed to run at slow speed, so the engines and passenger coaches are of lighter construction than a fully fledged train.
Most of the staff associated with the museum and tram service spoke good English, so I was able to make the most of my visit. The museum has a fully working signal box, and a repair depot where several engines and coaches are being renovated.
I noticed an old advert for "Welsh Anthracite" coal, but was told they use a type of Russian "black" coal, as cleaner burning then their former Polish coal supply.
Medemblik was having a singing festival on this day, so passengers were entertained by many choirs during our visit.
There was an option to travel on the return journey by boat, but of course I chose the train again. The return journey was with a different set of coaches, and a small diesel engine.
A fairly early night was in order, as I wanted to leave the hotel by 6.30 am on Monday morning to reach Amsterdam in good time for my next train ride to Berlin...
Please click the link for photos
:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154176065234120.1073741883.682004119&type=1&l=2d2fc60152(To be continued...)
