On the rails again… #Interrail #CrossBorderRail
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On the rails again… #Interrail #CrossBorderRail
Today is going to be a TER day. I am crossing into France on a cute little single-car X 73900-series diesel unit, that hops over the border to Forbach and back. I will then head off to Metz, and make my way down to Langres via Nancy and Coulmont-Chalindrey.
Today’s itinerary: https://moof.space/trip/2026-04-16
I’m not sure why it’s a diesel unit, this is an electrified line.
When I planned this trip, I thought this was the first time I had ever done this crossing, but I checked my log, and in fact my first ever crossing to Germany from France was on this line, on an ICE from Paris Est that I took as far as Mannheim.
That day’s trip: https://moof.space/trip/2024-08-10
I wasn’t as chatty about my train back then, but here is a review I made of some tea: https://cupoftea.social/@moof/112936742449351634
Anyway, time to change in Forbach!


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On the rails again… #Interrail #CrossBorderRail
Today is going to be a TER day. I am crossing into France on a cute little single-car X 73900-series diesel unit, that hops over the border to Forbach and back. I will then head off to Metz, and make my way down to Langres via Nancy and Coulmont-Chalindrey.
Today’s itinerary: https://moof.space/trip/2026-04-16
I’m not sure why it’s a diesel unit, this is an electrified line.
When I planned this trip, I thought this was the first time I had ever done this crossing, but I checked my log, and in fact my first ever crossing to Germany from France was on this line, on an ICE from Paris Est that I took as far as Mannheim.
That day’s trip: https://moof.space/trip/2024-08-10
I wasn’t as chatty about my train back then, but here is a review I made of some tea: https://cupoftea.social/@moof/112936742449351634
Anyway, time to change in Forbach!


La France: je suis dans vous!
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La France: je suis dans vous!
To my surprise, this TER is driving on the right hand track. The SNCF controlleur who is with me in first class on his way to work tells me that trains in Moselle and Alsace run on the right, and then it’s the left in the rest of France.
At least I’m learning something with my latest hyperfixation
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To my surprise, this TER is driving on the right hand track. The SNCF controlleur who is with me in first class on his way to work tells me that trains in Moselle and Alsace run on the right, and then it’s the left in the rest of France.
At least I’m learning something with my latest hyperfixation
@moof presumably because those regions used to be part of Germany?
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@moof presumably because those regions used to be part of Germany?
@drmikepj Given the timeline of Franco-German relations and especially of these regions, I suspect that is much less nuanced than the full reason.
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To my surprise, this TER is driving on the right hand track. The SNCF controlleur who is with me in first class on his way to work tells me that trains in Moselle and Alsace run on the right, and then it’s the left in the rest of France.
At least I’m learning something with my latest hyperfixation
And in annoying SNCF signage, I present this wonderful specimen at Metz-Ville, letting me know how to get to tracks A-7.
Given that I was on tracks 8-9 at the time, I was pretty sure it wasn’t a sign for 10-7, but it appears that A was the only lettered platform, and thus SNCF decided to do hexadecimal wrong.
I now on my next train to Nancy-Ville, which is a Z 26500-series double decker Alstom Coradia Duplex.
[Edited to add the photo of the sign]

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@drmikepj Given the timeline of Franco-German relations and especially of these regions, I suspect that is much less nuanced than the full reason.
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And in annoying SNCF signage, I present this wonderful specimen at Metz-Ville, letting me know how to get to tracks A-7.
Given that I was on tracks 8-9 at the time, I was pretty sure it wasn’t a sign for 10-7, but it appears that A was the only lettered platform, and thus SNCF decided to do hexadecimal wrong.
I now on my next train to Nancy-Ville, which is a Z 26500-series double decker Alstom Coradia Duplex.
[Edited to add the photo of the sign]

At Nancy I have a 45 minute wait til my next train. I take the opportunity to look round the local grocer, and they have “Bergamote de Nancy” flavoured sweets.
I am genuinely surprised, as I thought bergamot was an Italian crop.
They’re good though!

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At Nancy I have a 45 minute wait til my next train. I take the opportunity to look round the local grocer, and they have “Bergamote de Nancy” flavoured sweets.
I am genuinely surprised, as I thought bergamot was an Italian crop.
They’re good though!

Not quite sure what Träwelling, or more likely Transitous, is smoking with TER numbers in France, but I can assure you they bear no relation to the numbers everyone else is using in apps and stations…

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R relay@relay.infosec.exchange shared this topic