Europe trip planning (including Motorail)

[alex17595]

Hi all, I was doing some preliminary planning for a possible road/rail trip to Germany/Austria/Switzerland.

I have made a rather helpful custom Google map of my route itinerary. LINK

I was wondering if anybody knows some good locations to take pictures of trains on the way down, I'm mainly looking for freight trains and other other rail related attractions. The only real railway attraction I have come up with is the Wuppertal railway.
The other query I have is has anyone used the Motorail / sleeper trains? I am planning on using the Feldkirch-Vienna and Vienna to Hamburg sleeper. Are these reliable? How busy do they get?
My last issue is less of a railway one but is it possible to drive Hamburg-Hook of Holland in 5 hours? There 5 hours between the train arriving at Altona at 08:24 and the final check in for the ferry at 13:30. Google gives it a journey time of 4:20-6:30 hours which is rather a large range.

Thanks, Alex

 

[Gathursty]

I can't speak for your itinery apart from the start and end point. Unless you are doing a double-bluff, your address is clearly indicated (or at least street). You may want to alter the start and end points to another point in your hometown.

 

[alex17595]

I can't speak for your itinery apart from the start and end point. Unless you are doing a double-bluff, your address is clearly indicated (or at least street). You may want to alter the start and end points to another point in your hometown.

I have changed it now, thanks

 

[30907]

Some initial comments:
The Rhine gorge between Koblenz and Mainz is a prime location for rail photography. Most freight uses the right (north/east) bank line.

The motorail services seem, from limited observation and photos, to be reasonably well used - a few test bookings might give you an idea of how soon they fill up.

There is no way you could rely on making that ferry from Hamburg, as you need to allow some time for shunting and unloading - from recent observation at Düsseldorf I would allow an hour for that AND time for late running. And for bad weather if you're actually going to travel during January.
You might do it from (or to) Düsseldorf though, but I guess you're after the double deck sleeper?

 

[alex17595]

I was looking at the Dusseldorf train but this environmental zone is a bit confusing. If I don't get one it will be my luck that I get caught! I might just take the evening very and slowly make my way across to the port and head down the coast.
I had just automatically assumed that the time of arrival assumed unloading time time as well, there no rush anyway I have plaenty of holidays left to book of work

Edit: Also, what is the double deck sleeper? I have seen videos of it on youtube and it's just single deck coaches.

 

[30907]

Worth driving via Groningen and the Zuyder See dyke if you have time. Sorry, not up to date on green zones.

The Wien-Hamburg normally has the DD sleepers (which used to be common on CNL too) which are IMO tops (especially in deluxe) but things may change come December. The Düsseldorf has elderly but comfortable conventional cars - I hear they are cramped in 2nd but they are v nice in 1st. The Feldkirch is similar I believe.

PS According to www.fernbahn.de the train arrives H-Altona 0854 from December - so your decision not to rush is wise. BTW hope you're spending some time in Vienna.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

The ÖBB bilevel sleepers are great, we got the top deck compartment on the Zurich to Wien run, they have desk, toilet and shower.