European countries you've visited for railways

[theblackwatch]

Been trying to work out all the foreign countires I've been to for railways, so thought I'd share my list (though I've probably forgotten one or two!) with comments on what I thought of them.

Holland - the first country I visited (in 1992). Seemed interesting at the time, but rather tame no in comparison to the rest. Was a good starter though, as it had a British connection with some Class 08 clones, also the Class 77s worked over there though they had been withdrawn by the time I went - I have done a couple of tours with the preserved example over there since. Plenty of loco hauled trains, though sadly all electric and no diesels.

Belgium - Very interesting when I first went, with plenty of diesel hauled trains (Class 51, 55 and 62 on service trains, 52/53/54 on kayak specials). Lost its spark when the diesels disappeared and were replaced by units, but still plenty of locos there and certain older classes only work 'P trains', ie morning/evening peak hour extras.

Germany - Lots to go at here, a huge country with lots of interest, plenty of freight, private operators in abundance, narrow gauge steam, lots of freight action. Sadly diesels have declined and now only 218s (in the main) on passenger services - when I first visited East Germany there were lots of 219s and 232s about, and I even had a 202 on a solitary coach. I could go here every year and find something new to do.

Luxembourg - A nice little country, worth a visit for a day or two during which time you can travel the entire network.

Ireland - Did a few trips here in the late 90s/early 2000s and did most of the track. Still bneed to finish off Northern Ireland and do some 'Thumpers' before they disappear. With regard to the south, I think I'd only go for a railtour (steam or diesel) now, given that it is virtually all modern units.

France - Been 2 or 3 times but never had a long session on the railways. The place doesn't really grab me, though enjoyed the railways around Paris when it was mixed in with some tourist bits. Don't think I'd go there for a week's railway holiday though.

Portugal - Great place when I first went here in 1999, see review at http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/galas/240499.htm . Sadly a lot of stuff of old has gone and the railways have lost their character somewhat now, any further visits would probably be tied in with a railtour there.

Spain - Only ever done a brief visit across the border from Portugal as part of a railtour. A few meaty locos about to photograph. Need to tackle it a bit more!

Italy - My only experiences here have been getting from the airport to city at Rome, a day trip from there to Pompeii and a trip across the border from Austria. Lots of freight about on the last of these, but like France, I think any holiday there would not be entirely rail based.

Austria- Lovely country with plenty of variety of traffic, diesels, electrics, a few steam railways, some narrow gauge. Not been since 2008, really need to go again.

Switzerland - Another great country, if not a bit expensive! Some stunning mountain railways and lines like the Rhatische Bahn out of Chur are great too. Lots of locos about, and if you're desperate for lines in the book go to Zurich for the rush hour! The private operators all add to the interest there too.

Hungary - Only had a day or so here (as flew back from Bratislava after a trip to Austria). Quite interesting and I'd probably go back for a trip of a few days but not a main railway holiday unless something special was occurring.

Czech Republic - Fascinating country with lots of variety, lound diesels, interesting electrics, plenty of loco haulage. They tend to do a couple of special events each year. Another place I need to go back to!

Bulgaria - Went for the Class 87 tour in May, probably the most third world' country I've been to (certainly in some areas, but certainly not all). Would go back again but probably only as part of an organised trip. The cyrillic language made things quite hard work!


I'm sure other people on here can add to my views on the above places (or even disagree with what I think!) and add other places they've been to the list.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Nowhere near as much as you!


France, many times ( 30+ ) but mostly Paris. But did once do three return trip is one day on the TGV from Montparnasse to Le Mans with a France Vacances pass - only had to pay the supplements, which were really low cost at the time. Same week I went down to Nevers and Orleans on a big circular trip, to Evereaux on the Turbotrain ( plus did two more Le Mans trips the same day! ) and to Lyon on the TGV as a straightforward "out and back" bash.

Belgium - a few times, mainly on the old TTB days.

Germany - went by train to Rüsselsheim ( suburb of Frankfurt ) via Eurostar and ICE last summer for a family wedding. Well, flying would be too much hassle for a fairly short trip like that...

 

[33056]

Ireland – First foreign country visited since I left school. Went several times from 1988 up until the mid 1990s concentrating on photting to start off with then went more into haulage. Had done all the passenger track and most freight lines, but will need to revisit to do the re-opened line to Midleton and the new bit in Dublin Docks. Have cleared all the track in Northern Ireland as well as their 5 locos! Any future visits would probably be in conjunction with a railtour, RPSI or other.

Belgium – Next on the list with a first visit in 1996 for an ADL tour of Antwerp Docks, following which we were firmly hooked on foreign rail trips. In the intervening years I have managed to clear all the passenger track, some classes of electric locos and am still happy to do a tour here or have a little dabble in the country whilst passing through.

Holland – Once we had started on Belgium, it was only logical to see what the adjoining countries had to offer. As much as I admire the railway system here and like the people, I have never really got “into” Holland as much as other places – too many units, especially now that the classes 11, 12 and 13 have gone.

Luxembourg –

A nice little country, worth a visit for a day or two during which time you can travel the entire network.

My sentiments exactly; was better when there were class 18 diesels and class 36 electrics to play with but, after a couple of days, I would be itching to move on elsewhere.

Germany – Love the place and never tire of visiting. Even though there is much less to do these days, still plenty to go for and I am currently lining up a three week mega trip in a few weeks time.

France – Doesn’t really appeal to me either. Been a couple of times and passed through plenty more but it is somewhere I just can get into. Had an excellent tour with a pair of class 20s back in 1999 which was really enjoyable.

Switzerland – Probably my second favourite country after Germany. Always plenty of interest though I could probably not manage three whole weeks there, unlike the Fatherland. Yes, it can be expensive but not unduly so if you are careful.

Austria – Very close to vying with Switzerland for the number two spot in my affections. Love the narrow gauge lines and the scenery, but it all seems to have gone downhill a tad since they started to embrace privatisation and tighten the purse strings.

Portugal – First went in 2000 when there was still plenty of interest to keep me amused for a week at a time; have cleared all the available track in the country bar one of the short branches at Sines and the brand new Aveiro docks line (hopefully to be rectified next year). These days I need a decent railtour to entice me to visit, though still happy to try and scratch in a couple more electrics as a supporting act. Rebuilding many of the lines has somewhat destroyed their character.

Spain – Like the country and it’s railways but a PITA to bash due to all the interesting trains being compulsory reservation. Adore the narrow gauge FEVE system in the north and would love to visit it for a photting trip but can’t get enthused about hiring a car to do so.

Italy – Have only dipped across the border from Switzerland and Austria so can’t really comment. Can’t say that a more prolonged visit really grabs me, there are other countries that interest me more.

Hungary – Another “just across the border” country from Austria, quite high on the list of countries I would like to see more of. One priority is to finish off the GySEV track (done a large chunk of it already)

Czech Republic – Have had a couple of long journeys through here when going from Hamburg to Vienna. Really ought to have a proper trip here before all the loud diesels go, probably no.1 on my list of next places to visit.

Slovakia – More “border hopping”, in from Austria via one route and out via the other. Have scooped in a couple of their class 754 diesels wholly in Austria! (Look far more interesting than they sound)

Slovenia – Another place I would really like to see more of though have had one of their excellent 664 diesels on a trip out of and back into Austria on a railtour. Would have jumped at the chance of doing either of the PTG tours over the last two years, but Annual Leave issues prevented that

Poland – Bit of a cheat really as I have never actually had any of their stuff for haulage, only been across the border behind German locos. Have actually set foot on Polish soil so I suppose it counts!

Denmark – Same as Poland, but on a lesser scale, just on a NOB unit to Tønder from Niebüll. Still, we did get out at the end so can say that we have visited Denmark! Might consider a trip across on the train ferry from Puttgarden whilst we are in the Hamburg area next month.

Lichtenstein – Cheating really, track is easy to clear on one trip between Bludenz (Austria) and Buchs (Switzerland). No locos, but it is a country in its own right

 

[j0hn0]

Germany - went by train to Rüsselsheim ( suburb of Frankfurt ) via Eurostar and ICE last summer for a family wedding. Well, flying would be too much hassle for a fairly short trip like that...

I visited Rüsselsheim many times when I was a kid, first time I have heard anyone else mention it

For me its....

France - Nice and the environs, tgv duplexes and loads of assorted stock in the yard at Nice

Germany - too much to list

Holland - again, lived there so too much to list

Belgium - just hideous, dirty and late

Spain - old DMU from Benissa to Alicante - a while ago now, beautiful journey, shame about the vomiting smackheads sitting opposite us.

thats about it

 

[Teaboy1]

Work quite regular in Italy, particularly in Rovereto, over the mountain to lake Garda. Its on the route between Verona and Austria via the Brenner Pass. Its 95% electric traction, a lot of boxed freight / container / lorry based flatbed movements with the odd DMU passenger thrown in for variety. A few stream-liners but the speed limit is 100kph so not much to get worked up about. Quite busy with some 5-8 freights each way per hour chiefly some clapped out electric Bo-Bo covered in graffiti
Now its far too hot during summer but the route is quite hilly and you get good vista's because there is absolutely NO fencing in the way to spoil the shoot. Lots of vineyards and sheer dolomite cliffs to add to the scenery. Loads of possibilities for panoramic shots if you are so inclined.
Huge marshaling yards north of Verona to visit aswell. Best time is Feb-May.

 

[route101]

Ive not been on a holiday for the trains but ive been on plaenty trains in eastern europe and the balkans . Been on Ljubiana - Zagreb , Zagreb -Sarajevo , Budapest - Belgrade , Belgrade - Sofia, Skopje - Thessaloniki etc . enjoy the old trains but can be frustrating . Not sampled much western european stuff .

 

[theblackwatch]

Lichtenstein – Cheating really, track is easy to clear on one trip between Bludenz (Austria) and Buchs (Switzerland). No locos, but it is a country in its own right

I'd forgotten to include that! That's one overseas country I've 'cleared' as well.

I notice your views on the countires listed are very similar to mine. I too would have liked to do the PTG Slovenia tour this year, but it was a case of Bulgaria or that, and I chose Bulgaria on this occasion. Must admit the trip to Estonia if it comes off next year is quite tempting if the price isn't too high.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Have any of you been on the Budapest földalatti (metro line 1)?

 

[flymo]

I spent 3 weeks on a training course in München (Somewhere near Munich apparently ) in Germany in about 1997 and explored the railways there for a while. I stayed in Unterföhring on the S8 line north of München and had a wonderful time at weekends using the Streifenkarte ticket for DM13 (no Euro back then). Got up as far as Flughafen München and down to Herrsching on the Schnellbahn's and a good ride around the city on the Unterbahn's also up to the Olympic stadium amongst other places. A few times when in town I would take the first train from Marienplatz to Ostbahnhof, rather than wait there for the S8, just to watch the trains go by for a half hour or so. There was a time limit on the ticket so couldn't stay much longer. München had and I'm sure still does have an absolutely fantastic system that works amazingly well. Must go back there some day.

In '85 I was in Innsbruck in Austria and spent an hour or so watching the hump shunting going on in a freight yard there. Wonderful stuff.

 

[gordonthemoron]

The hump shunting at the goods yard north of Munich is interesting. I'd never seen it in the UK

 

[33056]

I notice your views on the countires listed are very similar to mine. I too would have liked to do the PTG Slovenia tour this year, but it was a case of Bulgaria or that, and I chose Bulgaria on this occasion. Must admit the trip to Estonia if it comes off next year is quite tempting if the price isn't too high.

We did consider Bulgaria, but decided to stick with Germany in the end; though might have changed our minds if there had been more variety on the traction front.

The Estonian trip next year could be an option as I think my booked annual leave is around that time, the annual Portuguese reunion is already firmly marked in the diary

 

[gingerheid]

Not gone anywhere specifically for railways, but I always make sure I get a train trip where I go anyway!

If anyone wants any advice or info about Estonia, a country dear to my heart that I've visited 6 times and nowhere near enough, do PM!

In Estonia by train is not the sensible way to go anywhere, but it's really fun to do it anyway, even if to most places only in one direction and getting the bus back.

Currently trains are all ancient (soviet DR1s or ER2s), but the entire stock of the country (ie not a lot) is supposed to be replaced over the next few years (a holiday in 2011 would still see the old ones).

Estonia also has http://www.museumrailway.ee/, a visit to which can be built into a trip that includes one direction to/from Parnu by train

In Lithuania by train also isn't really the way to go anywhere, but it has a pleasant mixture of old and unusual new, so should satisfy the fan of the nice long old train going to Klaipeda with some proper haulage, the fan of the quirky double deck express between Vilnius and Kaunas, the fan of modern Polish plastic, and the fan of the antique thing from Belarus being battered by the engineer's sledgehammer to try and make it go again! Plastic fans can also get to a (flying?) start by taking the cute train from the airport to the city (again, bus is a more sensible way of doing it in practical terms, but never mind!).

 

[theblackwatch]

Not gone anywhere specifically for railways, but I always make sure I get a train trip where I go anyway!

If anyone wants any advice or info about Estonia, a country dear to my heart that I've visited 6 times and nowhere near enough, do PM!

In Estonia by train is not the sensible way to go anywhere, but it's really fun to do it anyway, even if to most places only in one direction and getting the bus back.

Currently trains are all ancient (soviet DR1s or ER2s), but the entire stock of the country (ie not a lot) is supposed to be replaced over the next few years (a holiday in 2011 would still see the old ones).

Estonia also has http://www.museumrailway.ee/, a visit to which can be built into a trip that includes one direction to/from Parnu by train

The information you have provided above actually makes the proposed PTG tour next summer more appealing, as it is intended that the tour will cover the entire Estonian network. Clearly, judging by your comments, this would be rather difficult to do on service trains! I hope the tour comes off, and at a reasonable price too.

 

[gingerheid]

Ohhh! I didn't know about that tour! It looks interesting!

It would be possible to do it on your own, but not as much fun as if someone else arranged a proper tour for you! And people who don't speak Estonian would have to worry less about finding bus stops, buying tickets and amusing themselves between stops if there was a tour!

The electric suburban routes have (with the exception of one branch line that trundles about 1km to a pleasant beach but that can still be fitted in) all have frequent services and aren't a problem. However even then you'd really benefit from having someone there that could make otherwise boring lines interesting for you. Paldiski, for example, is just a dump. Unless someone takes you to the cape just beyond the town or to one of the old soviet army bases... Klooga is a bit boring, but a tour would take you to the beautiful beach at Kloogaranna via a rather eery warning from the past at the concentration camp.

The three main routes to the south only have 2-4 services today, with the early departures from Tallinn being before your hotel would want to give you breakfast. You could probably manage three journeys on them in a day if you went on the right day, finishing the day in Tartu. But again, a tour would be so much more fun, and they'd build the narrow guage museum railway outside Parnu into it.

There are two charming rural routes in the south east of the country that you'd want to be based in Tartu (pretty, but kinna off the tourist trail) to cover by scheduled services.

And last but worst, the main east west route to the Russian border that sees all the interesting freight traffic only has overnight trains to Moscow and one commuter service a day that leaves almost the furthest flung part of Estonia at 0630 for Tallinn and arrives back at 1945 (kinna a bit after what attractions there may be in Narva would have closed).

There's also a railway museum in Haapsalu that tragically isn't connected to the rail network any more, and that doesn't warrant a visit to Haapsalu in it's own right but does in conjunction with going to the bay and castle.

In addition, there's a tram museum in Tallinn that's open next to never, unless by prior arrangement for a tour party...

Definitely go for the tour (I'm tempted myself...)!

 

[route101]

The trains in Estonia must be similar to Latvia , there was a railway museum in Riga that i passed shame i never went . Only saw loco hauled freight in Riga and EMUS/DMUS . I am planning to take the sleeper to Russia at some point as its a cheap way into Russia . Prestwick > RIGA > Moscow.

 

[Csalem]

France and Germany, as well as the UK! Not as travelled as I would like.

 

[LE Greys]

France - Mostly zooming around by TGV, although I don't understand why they aren't a bit more frequent. Until recently, the rest of the network seemed stuck in the 70s, which I enjoyed, but perhaps many passengers did not. However, stay away from the Paris Metro unless you want Circle Line conditions accompanied by the smell of burning rubber, plus lots of walking and climbing stairs in very narrow passageways. RER was much better, how Thameslink should be.

Switzerland - Haulage paradise, although everything seemed to be operated by Re460s. Expect massive climbs, spectacular views, long tunnels and spirals - meaning that you can pass a train going the other way, then see it emerge on the other side of the valley and pass it again. Noticed that the coaches all had SIG bogies, just like MkIVs, but SIG seem to make everything over there. The narrow gauge lines are great, Zweisimmen-Montreux produces very steep metre gauge haulage, while the Centovalli is more like a mountain tramway.

Italy - Short run from Domodossola back into Switzerland. However, they produce very comfortable coaches.

 

[Vulcan]

Not nearly as impressive as others tha have posted on here, but last year I went to the Isle of Man for a day for a ride on the IOMR, MER and SMR. (as well as the Buses and Ben-my-chree)

I don't even think the Isle of Man counts as a seperate country, but never mind it was brilliant and I'd love to go again.

 

[33056]

Not nearly as impressive as others tha have posted on here, but last year I went to the Isle of Man for a day for a ride on the IOMR, MER and SMR. (as well as the Buses and Ben-my-chree)

I don't even think the Isle of Man counts as a seperate country, but never mind it was brilliant and I'd love to go again.

Despite all my foreign travel, that is one place that I havn't been to . Really ought to make the effort and rectify the omission.

 

[theblackwatch]

Ohhh! I didn't know about that tour! It looks interesting!

It would be possible to do it on your own, but not as much fun as if someone else arranged a proper tour for you! And people who don't speak Estonian would have to worry less about finding bus stops, buying tickets and amusing themselves between stops if there was a tour!

The electric suburban routes have (with the exception of one branch line that trundles about 1km to a pleasant beach but that can still be fitted in) all have frequent services and aren't a problem. However even then you'd really benefit from having someone there that could make otherwise boring lines interesting for you. Paldiski, for example, is just a dump. Unless someone takes you to the cape just beyond the town or to one of the old soviet army bases... Klooga is a bit boring, but a tour would take you to the beautiful beach at Kloogaranna via a rather eery warning from the past at the concentration camp.

The three main routes to the south only have 2-4 services today, with the early departures from Tallinn being before your hotel would want to give you breakfast. You could probably manage three journeys on them in a day if you went on the right day, finishing the day in Tartu. But again, a tour would be so much more fun, and they'd build the narrow guage museum railway outside Parnu into it.

There are two charming rural routes in the south east of the country that you'd want to be based in Tartu (pretty, but kinna off the tourist trail) to cover by scheduled services.

And last but worst, the main east west route to the Russian border that sees all the interesting freight traffic only has overnight trains to Moscow and one commuter service a day that leaves almost the furthest flung part of Estonia at 0630 for Tallinn and arrives back at 1945 (kinna a bit after what attractions there may be in Narva would have closed).

There's also a railway museum in Haapsalu that tragically isn't connected to the rail network any more, and that doesn't warrant a visit to Haapsalu in it's own right but does in conjunction with going to the bay and castle.

In addition, there's a tram museum in Tallinn that's open next to never, unless by prior arrangement for a tour party...

Definitely go for the tour (I'm tempted myself...)!

PTG have just released full details of the Estonia tour next summer, they can be found at http://www.ptg.co.uk/tours/estonia.htm - looks an interesting trip.

 

[Capybara]

Lichtenstein – Cheating really, track is easy to clear on one trip between Bludenz (Austria) and Buchs (Switzerland). No locos, but it is a country in its own right

I can claim Liechtenstein for real having alighted there a couple of weeks back. In fact the return train to Feldkirch broke down which meant I managed a complete journey (boarding, travelling, alighting) within the boundaries of the principality

 

[Flywaver]

Not gone anywhere specifically for railways, but I always make sure I get a train trip where I go anyway!

If anyone wants any advice or info about Estonia, a country dear to my heart that I've visited 6 times and nowhere near enough, do PM!

In Estonia by train is not the sensible way to go anywhere, but it's really fun to do it anyway, even if to most places only in one direction and getting the bus back.

Currently trains are all ancient (soviet DR1s or ER2s), but the entire stock of the country (ie not a lot) is supposed to be replaced over the next few years (a holiday in 2011 would still see the old ones).

Estonia also has http://www.museumrailway.ee/, a visit to which can be built into a trip that includes one direction to/from Parnu by train

In Lithuania by train also isn't really the way to go anywhere, but it has a pleasant mixture of old and unusual new, so should satisfy the fan of the nice long old train going to Klaipeda with some proper haulage, the fan of the quirky double deck express between Vilnius and Kaunas, the fan of modern Polish plastic, and the fan of the antique thing from Belarus being battered by the engineer's sledgehammer to try and make it go again! Plastic fans can also get to a (flying?) start by taking the cute train from the airport to the city (again, bus is a more sensible way of doing it in practical terms, but never mind!).

I frequent Lithuania alot and luckily its Radsviliskis. Ive been on various Locos there also had a drive of a CME3M shunting loco around the marshalling yards. We were hauling over 4000 tonnes. The 2M62s are awesome beasts although the Siemens ER20s are becoming commonplace. But it is making it for plenty of variety. The D1s DMUs have a great sound!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es1gzs671q8 2m62s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjtb-yL1ieY&feature=related ER20s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3u4diOpW8g&feature=related CME3M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k2vNM8lLCQ&feature=related D1

 

[DiscoStu]

My interest in railways on a whole stopped some thirteen years ago now, but I did have quite a lot of European rail travel under my belt.

Ireland First went in about '93, and loved the A Class. I covered all southern Ireland track with the exception of the Ballina branch. Shame there are no overnights as arranging B&B's every day became a hastle.

Belgium First when in about 1994, but went quite regularly for a few years - often stopping there for a couple of days en route to other countries. I was actually more a fan of the old electrics than the drab diesels. I liked TTB day though when you could get haulage from the odd class 51 to Blankenberge.

Holland Limited time spent here due to lack of diesel haulage, and don't like their electrics. Did manage to score a DB 232 out of Amsterdam on the Berlin overnight once though

Luxembourg Used to love going there for a day or two picking up the class 36 "Flat Irons", class 18 diesels, and love the scenery on the route out to Wasserbillig and Trier - a great way to enter south west Germany.

Germany I absolutely love this country. I don't go for trains any more, just tourist holidays. Highlights for me were the old East Germany in the early nineties. The sheer variety of diesel haulage was amazing. The small branch lines behind class 201/2's, long mainline expresses behind class 232's, and the 229's on the VERY steep climbs on the Erfurt/Arnstadt area were my personal favourite. Also the size of the country meant there was no shortage of overnights available so getting around was easy. Used to love waking up at 2am in a snowy Reichenbach to see what 232 would take me south towards Regensburg on the Berlin - Munich overnight Far too much other stuff to list though.

Spain Not much done here. I only used Spain as a corridor to Portgugal on the Sud Express.

Portugal Went two or three times to do the ALCOs and 1931's around Barreiro, the 1961's to Guarda etc. The country reminded me a lot of England because of the class 50 in the south, and the pairs of class 20's in the north

Greece No other country does it for me in respect of diesel haulage like Greece. Long overnights behind SERIOUSLY loud diesels, narrow guage lines behind SERIOUSLY loud diesels, and brilliant scenery. That's what I ask for in a railway, and Greece delivers it in spades.

 

[W-on-Sea]

France A few local trains in Normandy, RER around Paris (and the Metro), TGV to the Pyreneés, various regional and local trains in the south, too. I was amazed at how many seemingly quiet and rural stations (certainly around Bordeaux/Pau) retain substantial buildings and even an arched roof over the platforms and tracks.

Germany Local trains on some rural lines in Bavaria, and around the Rhineland, Aachen, Cologne. Local trains, U- and S-Bahn in Berlin. and U-Bahn in Nuremberg.

Belgium Various new and old trains from Brussels to Mechelen, Antwerp, Sint Nicklaas, Welkenraedt (last station before the German border going to Aachen)

Spain Local and regional (Cercanias) trains in the regions around Madrid. And Madrid Metro.

Italy Lots of travel: although it's annoying that more and more trains now require reservations.

I've not travelled on any of the really modern or ultra-high speed trains, mostly the more old-fashioned and atmospheric medium- and low-speed ones...

Numerous local and regional lines around Milan; Milan-Verona-Venice, Venice-Trieste, Trieste-Udine (and the private, unfortunately acronymed, FUC train that goes from there to the picture-postcard small town of Cividale del Fruili), loads of local and regional lines around Tuscany and Umbria, from Bologna to the coast and along the Adriatic to Ancona; Rome-Naples; the private train from Rome to Ostia Antica, the private Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Pompeii and Sorrento. Plus the Milan and Rome metros, and what passed for the metro in Naples before its recent expansion.
And not forgetting (though I suppose it is really a tram rather than a train....the Tranvia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opicina_Tramway, a decades-old tram-cum-funicular that takes you, very steeply uphill, from the centre of Trieste to a village near the border with Slovenia

which leads us on to...

Slovenia Villa Opicina (above Trieste in Italy) to Ljubljana, and Ljubljana-Race Fram-Ptuj. System was a bit of a hassle to use (maps being very far and few between, connections not being obvious, and some of the staff being trained in the communist school of customer service), a mixture of new and old rolling stock. Would love to travel on the (Very infrequent) service on the Sava valley line that goes to Bled-Jezero.... maybe some time...

Latvia On a very rickety old DMU from Riga... from which I cursed the rarity of station signs and the incomprehensibility of the announcements made by the driver at each station. Not least after I travelled on a good 30-40 miles further than I intended, and was lucky to catch a return connection (requiring a change at the regional centre of Ogre) soon afterwards (on a very rural stretch of line with very few stopping trains) for a fare of not very much more than nothing. I made sure to ask the conductress to tell me when we reached my station on the way back...

Poland where I discovered the swindle by which certain trains are labelled "intercity" instead of "pospechny" (or whatever exactly the Polish word meaning "express" was), thus requiring a higher fee. (This was back in the days before the UK had quite an complex range of tickets as is now the case). A couple of journeys on the line between Krakow and Warsaw. Recollections of compartments filled with conscript soldiers; and another with a couple of priests in.

Romania 1st class Overnight couchette with six seats between the north and Bucharest, one of my companions being (this being the height of summer, which in Romania is pretty hot) a woman wearing no mroe than her underwear and a bright red plastic mac! Also some incredibly, tediously, slow local trains (around northern Moldavia) that really literally did call at "all shacks". Plus one regional express up there.

Ukraine Long distance overnight trains. First Class "Luxe" (two beds, complete with radio playing jolly Russian songs - strangely Russian rather than Ukrainian) definitely recommended (Lviv-Odesa), Second class "coupé" (four beds) OK (Odesa-Lviv). A good way to meet other people and drink vodka and eat with them. And...Fourth class "platzkartny" ....definitely not recommended (Odesa-Khmelnytsky). Crowded, sweaty. Best thing about it? Probably the very sweet lemon tea supplied by the "hostess" in each carriage. Plus the Kyiv metro.

Russia Just local electric trains (with wooden benches for seats!) from St Petersburg to Peterhof and back. Popular with mushroom-pickers in autumn, evidently.
And the Moscow and Petersburg metros.

Finland Just the Helsinki metro. Not sure why (be it Helsinki, or Manchester, or Glasgow, or wherever) anyone decided that orange was a nice colour to paint trains.

 

[Newportmuscles]

Gave up the UK in 1993, lots of bashes on CIE, SNCB, NS, CFL, DB, PKP, CD, ZSR, MAV, Balkans and 1 visit to Greece.
Just to light the touchpaper, gave DB up as boring in 1995 but did sample every diesel class except 242(?)

 

[theblackwatch]

Gave up the UK in 1993, lots of bashes on CIE, SNCB, NS, CFL, DB, PKP, CD, ZSR, MAV, Balkans and 1 visit to Greece.
Just to light the touchpaper, gave DB up as boring in 1995 but did sample every diesel class except 242(?)

I can see where you are coming from regarding DB - everyone seems to get extremely whipped up about 218s now, and although I only did one trip to Germany before about 1996, back then I thought the 218s were one of the least exciting diesels there. The 202s, 232s and 234s I sampled were much better!

 

[Drsatan]

My travels around Europe haven't been as impressive as some peoples, but what the hell, I'll add my contribution.

Belgium I went there in 2009 and stayed in the dump that's Ostend. Nonetheless, the Coasttram made up for it. The Coasttram is the world's longest tram line and runs along the coast from the French border (where it's possible to catch a bus to Calais) to the Dutch border. Takes about two and a half hours to travel end to end; Rover tickets giving unlimited travel for the day cost 5 Euros. Points of interest include Nieuwpoort, a pleasant seaside Flemish town, a bizarrely named theme park called 'Plopsiland' and Blankenberge, where there's a model railway exhibition in the SNCB station building. I also traveled from Ostend to Gent on a 12 coach loco-hauled service; the return journey was on an AM96 EMU with a rubber coupling ring surrounding the cab.

In 2008 I also traveled from Brussels to Cologne onboard a Thalys unit. I'd recommend this journey since from Liege onwards the train snakes through the scenic Ardennes. A new high speed line's under construction from Liege to Aachen so travel while you can!

Germany

Several train trips, including a ride on a push-pull RE train from the outskirts of Cologne to Cologne Hbf in 2000. In 2007 I traveled from Koln Hbf to Hannover on an ICE 2 set, which I'd highly recommend.

I rode on several Harz Mountain Railway trains, most of which are steam hauled: 1950s built 2-10-0 tank locomotives haul most of the trains. The most interesting line is the one to the former Soviet army base and Stasi listening post at the top of the Brocken. Despite staying in Wernigerode in the former GDR I only saw one Trabant

I also traveled from Quedlinburg to Hildesheim on board a class 612 DMU, from Hildesheim to Frankfurt Hbf on an ICE3 set, and from Frankfurt Hbf to Rudesheim behind an elderly 110. For the record Rudesheim has a possibly unparalleled 'Museum of electronic instruments', which features self-playing violins and the like.

Possibly the best train journey I have experienced in Germany has been on EC7 from Koln to Chur. When I traveled on it the train consisted of seven SBB coaches and was hauled by a DB 101 to Basel, then a SBB Re 4/4 II from Basel to Chur. The train heads along the left-hand bank of the Rhine from Koln to Mannesheim (possibly the most scenic part of the journey), and in Switzerland immediately upon leaving Zurich follows the Zurichsee. Definitely a journey I'd recommend if anyone wants to see Germany and Switzerland at a more leisurely pace.

France

Due to the attention created by the extensive TGV network, many have forgotten that TER services (and almost everything else) run at irregular intervals. I turned up at St Malo station (rebuilt a few years ago) in 2009 looking for a train to Dole, the next station along the St Malo - Rennes line.I turned up at 10:00, missing the 09:50 departure, but since the trains departed at 08:20, 08:50, 09:20, and 09:50 I assumed they'd depart at 20 and 50 minutes past the hour throughout the day. I then discovered at the station the next departure to Dole wouldn't be until 13:00. Indeed, the next departure was the 11:54 TGV to Paris.

In 2008 I also traveled on a TGV 'Lyria' from Geneva to Paris Gare de Lyon. Journey wasn't as good as I expected: the TGV was internally rather tatty, and I was allocated a seat with zero window view, meaning I couldn't enjoy the view as the train proceeded through the alps

Switzerland

Stayed in Chur and traveled on the RhB narrow gauge network, traveling to Arosa (train travels through the streets of Chur), Pontresina on the Bernina Express, St Moritz, and Klosters via Landquart. I noticed that the RhB runs mixed traffic trains - must be one of the few railways that does this.

Went on the Glacier Express to Brig, where I traveled to Zermatt (and then the funicular railway to the Gornergrat), and on an SBB service through the Lotschberg base tunnel. I'd highly recommend the journey on the MoB from Zweisimmen to Montreux.

Spain

When staying in Palma, I traveled on the Soller railway behind an elderly electric locomotive from Palma to Soller, and then on a vintage tram to Porto de Soller. Palma even has a short metro line from Palma station in the city centre to the University of the Balearics. Finally, I spent a day traveling on the extensive metre gauge lines from Palma to Sa Pobla and Marrataxi worked by modern DMUs.

 

[33056]

I can see where you are coming from regarding DB - everyone seems to get extremely whipped up about 218s now, and although I only did one trip to Germany before about 1996, back then I thought the 218s were one of the least exciting diesels there. The 202s, 232s and 234s I sampled were much better!

Each to their own, I could never see what the fuss about 232/4s was, though will admit the ones without the “dustbin lids” on the fans could be entertaining. Prefer 218s myself – though not the MTU4000 version had some excellent runs off TB10 and TB11 engined examples. I liked 202s and 212s, though much of that was down to the atmosphere of the lines they worked as much as the locos themselves, I also liked 219s – had character.

In 2008 I also traveled from Brussels to Cologne onboard a Thalys unit. I'd recommend this journey since from Liege onwards the train snakes through the scenic Ardennes. A new high speed line's under construction from Liege to Aachen so travel while you can!

Already open! Though if you don’t want to shell out to go on a Thalys or ICE, the two hourly IR service still goes that way (and takes an age!)

 

[EWS 58038]

Netherlands: Well, I work here for the railways, It's all the same and I hate the attitude of the TOC in relation to it's passenger operations.

Switzerland: I don't need to say anything I guess... Everyone loves it.

Belgium: Went down there a few years ago for a rail tour... And I would certainly go back down there...

Germany: Don't like the language, don't like the trains. But more importantly... Don't like their beer.

France: It's good you can do a day trip to Paris and return home the same day.

Scotland: It's raining again...

England: It's one big museum... 27 Train operators, One infrastructure company who gives away bonuses to it's managing directors for poor performance in an economic downturn, and increases the countries deficit by around 5 billion year on year.
A country where they swap so many trains around that everyone gets lost in paperwork.

A so called High Level Output Specification (HLOS) which promised us 1300 new vehicles... which, according to Captain Deltic turned out to be a little bit less.

A new train that would replace the HST and IC225... which is a technical nightmare, a financial disaster, and although called "good" for the environment all but green as it would need a diesel "top up" to keep at speed.

Yep... I love it.

 

[Csalem]

I can see where you are coming from regarding DB - everyone seems to get extremely whipped up about 218s now, and although I only did one trip to Germany before about 1996, back then I thought the 218s were one of the least exciting diesels there. The 202s, 232s and 234s I sampled were much better!

Germany doesn't terribly excite me but does my brother who loves 218s. When we were there in April I was more excited in finding a 232 rather than a 218. Much better looking loco than a 218!