Rails Across Europe

Northern and Western Europe

David Cable

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Transport
• Year: 2016
• eBook ISBN: 9781473844292
• Topic: Technik & Maschinenbau
• Subtopic: Eisenbahnverkehr

The two volumes covering Rails Across Europe are divided into one covering the North and West of the continent, the other dealing with the South and East.The photos were taken by David Cable, well-regarded author of several photographic albums of trains throughout the world, supplemented by a few taken by friends.The books show pictures of modern traction mainly from the 1980s up to the current era, showing the huge variety of classes locomotives as well as multiple units and the panoply of colour schemes that continue to grow.The photos were taken both at railway stations and in the countryside and give a wide range of locationsThe first volume covers Scandinavia, the Baltic states, Germany, Poland, the Benelux countries, the United Kingdom and Ireland.The second volume deals with France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and the majority of Central European and Balkan countries, which had been in the former Soviet Eastern Block.

Belgium

The SNCB class 18 was identical to the 4-voltage SNCF class 40100. Belgian 1802 is ready to leave Paris Nord in April 1988 with an express to Koln.

Brightening up Ostend station in May 1991, three clean locos are stabled ready for their next duties.They are 1601, 1501 and 1603, all of multi-voltage classes. Both classes were built by BN.

Based on the AFB design with GM engines, a pair of fifty-three class locos, 5316 and 5306 head north through Namur station with a mixed freight train.

Dual voltage Class 25 2557 speeds through Schaarbeek in the Brussels outskirts, with a Paris Nord to Amsterdam express, taking advantage of the super-elevated curve.

One of the class 11s, which worked the jointly operated trains between Brussels and Amsterdam, passes Mechelen Nekkerspoel on its way from Amsterdam to Brussels Midi.The whole train is in the special colours designated for these services.This class was developed from the class 21, with dual voltage provided.

Antwerp Centraal station as it used to be in May 1991, with AM86 EMU 914 awaiting departure and class 62 6295 passing the time. Due to their design, the units were nicknamed Snorkels.

Antwerp Dam diesel shed on a Sunday afternoon, hosting a variety of locomotives including 5175, 5158, 8417 and 8516.

The magnificent battlements at Ghent station rather overwhelm class 62 6304 ready to leave for Eeklo in May 1991. These locos were also built by BN using GM diesel engines.

Class 20 2002 exits the tunnels under the city and approaches Brussels Nord with an express from Brussels Midi to Basel in September 1994.This class of twenty-five locomotives was the only electric Co-Co type on SNCB.

Preserved AFB class 54 5404 makes a nice surprise at Namur one late afternoon in September 1994, where it is seen working a Namur to Dinant service, with steam heating working well.

One of the older electric classes (built 1953-54) is represented by class 22 2229, which is bringing an empty stock train into Brussels Midi station in April 2004.

Through working by locomotives into other countries becomes more common, and is illustrated by SNCB class 13 1332 passing through Thionville station in France in May 2004 with a southbound intermodal service.

A line of withdrawn locos, headed by 2624, enjoys the sunshine at Arlon.The class 26 featured monomotor bogies.

SNCB class 13 1317 and CFL class 3000 3018 join forces and pass Noertzange in Luxemburg with an eastbound train of coal hoppers.

Class 21 2159 propels its train out of Berchem with an Antwerp Centraal to Ostend train in May 2004.The class 21 was a lower powered version of the similar looking class 27, which were introduced in the 1980s.

The newer classes of locos have now taken over the Brussels to Amsterdam services, as shown by class 28 2803 (TRAXX class 186) bringing the empty stock into Brussels Midi in August 2012. Note the decorative colour scheme on the coaching stock.

The latest class of loco on the Belgian system is the class 1900, 1907 of which is at Brussels Midi with...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Notes on railways of each country
• Rails Across Europe