'The
Alsace Lorraine Express'
Thursday May 29 2003
As we were underway again we hoped that we'd be able to keep going. We calculated we'd arrive in Strasbourg around 00:45 ! But we actually only made it a further 13km (8miles) before we ground to halt at Mommenheim just 23km (14½miles) short of Strasbourg. At least we had a nice to floodlit church to look at and the odd passing freight train. Shortly after arrival the SNCF inspector got down to phone for assistance. 231G558 was going no further under her own power. Whilst it had turned in to a long day for us passengers, having been in similar situations myself, I felt very sorry for the support crew who must have been exhausted by this point and still had a good few hours to go until they would get to bed.
Whilst waiting for our rescue loco the inspector had to go forward and reset the level crossing which we had tripped. There weren't many cars about to hold up but I did see one of two.
After what seemed like ages a rescue loco, some form of electric, turned up to take us forward. After more delay we finally set off for Strasbourg sometime after 02:00. However, yet again, we didn't get too far ! Only a matter of kilometres further on we stopped at a red signal. Making use of the bi-directional signaling a freight train heading in the same direction as us was allowed to overtake before we could continue. The amount of freight running on SNCF was good to see and fact most of it was running at high speed was very impressive.
Thankfully there were no more delays and we finally arrived at Strasbourg station at 03:20 ! A fleet of taxis had been arranged to get us to our hotels. Ours, one of the Mercures, was some way from the station so the taxi was much appreciated. Somehow four of us and our luggage squeezed in to the taxi for the short ride to the hotel. Mike Hedderly had gone on ahead to make sure the check-in arrangements were in hand. Fortunately they were and by 03:40 we were in bed ready to get up again in just a few short hours...
Interestingly, given their early insistence that leaving the train in Strasbourg station overnight was impossible SNCF had now allowed this to happen and given us a departure time of 09:30 for our onward journey.
All too soon the alarm was going off meaning it was 07:30 and time to get up. After a good filling breakfast we walked around the canal in Strasbourg until it was time to turn right and head over to the imposing railway station to catch the train again.
The day started overcast but, luckily, this did not last long. Fairly shortly we were finding it a little on the warm side again.
The grand frontage to Strasbourg station. The escalators serve the tram station below the SNCF station. May 29 2003
Not surprisingly there was no sign of 231G558. It had been decided until a new supply of coal arrived (not possible until Friday as Thursday was bank holiday in France marking Ascension day) the locomotive would have to be rested.
The first locomotive for day two of 'The Alsace Lorraine Express' was SNCF electric 516675. It was in fact piloting another electric locomotive, 516772, but this locomotive ran dead in the consist. May 29 2003
On time we set off for the first leg of the day to Colmar. On the way we stopped at Sélestat to pick up some French passengers who had booked in to hotels there when they discovered the steam was not going to terminate at Strasbourg. How, and at what time, they got there is something I do not know !
On arrival at Colmar we de-trained and transferred to road coaches following the previously mentioned refusal of SNCF to let us run down the branch to Neuf Brisach. These coaches were to take us to the Rhine cruise at Breisach on the German side of the river. However before heading there we stopped of at the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin station in Volgelsheim. Here the railway had opened the station, with its interesting display, especially for our visit. The local mayor was on hand to welcome us and the president of Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin gave an interesting description of this once international route. During times of German administration Alsace Lorraine railways were lavished with money, substantial buildings and a good service in an effort to make the area seem like a permanent part of Germany. Part of the route of Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin runs along is one such line. Until 1945 the line crossed the Rhine on a bridge to continue in to Germany. There are plans to one day reinstate this bridge to once again allow through trains to operate.
The substantial and nicely restored station at Volgelsheim on the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin. May 29 2003
This little chain driven rail tractor built in Alsace Lorraine was on display at Volgelsheim with a post office coach containing a small exhibition. May 29 2003
From Volgelsheim we made our way in the coaches across the Alsace Lorraine canal, then the Rhine, in to Germany and through the town of Breisach to the quay to board the boat for our cruise up and down this section of the Rhine.
I took only one photograph on the cruise and this was actually taken before we set off. In the town of Breisach is the impressive St. Stephens cathedral. May 29 2003
A very Germanic lunch of smoked meats served with sauerkraut was had on the boat during the two hour cruise. I think most people found the cruise to be a pleasant trip but nothing more than that. This section of the Rhine is nothing like the well known part between Frankfurt and Koln. The river is very wide and the surrounding countryside is flat and frankly none too inspiring. In retrospect it would have been better to have had a short lunchtime cruise then use the rest of the day to get to Mulhouse and have some time in the Museum. I do, however, say this with the benefit of hindsight !
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I
can't tell you much about this railcar beyond the fact it is number 519,
looks very long of a single vehicle and is at Colmar ! May 29 2003 |
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Electric
locomotive 516670 at the head of the PVC train at Colmar. May 29 2003 |
Once the cruise was over the coaches took us straight back to Colmar station to rejoin the train for the journey to Mulhouse. For whatever reason we now had another electric locomotive at the head of the train, this time 516670. Perhaps this region of the SNCF might like to lend some to the Paris Est area to help out with the shortage they had highlighted the day before...
Colmar station is rather impressive with this copper covered spire. 516670 is at the head of our train shortly to set off for Mulhouse. May 29 2003
From Colmar we ran non-stop to Mulhouse. However we did not take the direct line in to the station. To facilitate turning the stock to face the correct way round for the return to Paris on the Sunday we headed around the loop line known as the 'contournement de Mulhouse.' Thus we approached Mulhouse station from the Swiss side. Taking this route saw us run through the large goods yards raising the question is this line a freight only route ? If so why were we allowed around this but not down the Neuf Brisach line ? I think I'm turning in to a cynic !!
Originally the train was due to stable at the Railway Museum but this was now not happening. Mulhouse station was as far as we went. The PVC stock was stabled just to the Swiss side of the station for the next few days. Glad to have got to our destination the right side of midnight we headed out across the Canal de la Marne au Rhin to the Mercure hotel opposite the station. It could not have been more conveniently positioned. We were told that if we wanted to visit the railway museum that evening, as per the itinerary, to assemble outside the station at 18:00.
A large number of us congregated as instructed only to be told that the museum was in fact shut. Just why the museum was not expecting us was not explained but it did appear to be a bit of an own goal. We were, however, promised the opportunity to visit the following evening after the trip in to Switzerland and that we would get to see the reserve collection.
Now with some time on our hands we walked in to Mulhouse proper to get a look around, dodging some heavy rain showers. Despite initial appearances Mulhouse is actually a nice town with a lot of old buildings around the centre. Interestingly several of the buildings, including the Hôtel de Ville had painted on stone work effects rather than actually having the stones. The Hôtel de Ville was also an 'interesting' shade of pink !
After a meal in the centre we headed back to the hotel to get an early night and catch up on some lost sleep. Another early start was in prospect for our trip to the Rigi Bahn in Switzerland. Click here to move on to day three of the tour, 'The William Tell Express'.