#strandbymode

🔊 "Platform 17, ICE to Basel SBB, Karlsruhe, Hamburg Hbf, departure at 7:59" My summer holidays start as many times with a northbound ICE train. It was supposed to be less bonkers than my other rail trips, but there are many track works that have been planned afterwards, so we'll see. Get inspired by how I get myself into 🏖️ #StrandbyMode.

By April, it was already difficult to book accommodation for our holiday, so we had to commit to a travel plan. However, our respective train journeys have been affected by at least three changes due to track work after our booking. For example, the travel time for ICE 770 to Hamburg has been extended by one hour today. This is why we are changing from ICE 200 that was due to arrive in Hamburg at 17:15 to ICE 770 that is now due to arrive at 17:29 (originally 16:29) at Mannheim. #StrandbyMode

Why didn't we just stay on the first ICE? Well, maybe because I didn't want to pay additional reservation fees again. But it was also because a longer journey would mean taking the Main-Weser-Bahn, which I haven't travelled on before. There's even a city tour with interesting connections in Frankfurt! Well, the ICE train has to kill 2.5 hours between Frankfurt and Kassel somehow. #StrandbyMode

#DB still has a talent for comedy. The ICE Portal, referring to our order from the @diningcar@rail.chat (an espresso): 'Unfortunately, your order cannot be fulfilled because our team is too busy.' Ten seconds later, an unoccupied staff member walks past asking several times: 'Does anyone want anything from the restaurant car?' #StrandbyMode

Our ICE 770 arrives at Hamburg Hbf with a delay of 5 minutes! The original ICE 200 via Cologne and Dortmund is delayed by 45 minutes, so changing trains at Mannheim was worth it! #StrandbyMode

Although we are spending three nights in #Göteborg, I didn't manage to take many pictures, but I enjoyed this wonderful city. I've been here four times already, but I liked it the most this time by far. It's probably also because of the weather. So you won't hear much from me about the public transport system. #StrandbyMode

First things first: Maybe I was looking in the wrong places, but I didn't see any 🌱 plant-based cinnamon or cardamom buns in Jutland. So I have a lot of catching up to do in Gothenburg. However, I won't start a Bulle Counter though, as I cannot match up to @dominicstucki@urbanists.social 's numbers. 😁 #StrandbyMode

I really like that the Västtrafik app lets you know if your ticket is valid for a connection. #StrandbyMode

The older M31 tram in #Göteborg still has a string above the windows for requesting a stop. (What's this thing actually called in English? Is it still in use on the M31? I couldn't test it.) #StrandbyMode

I mustn't miss this intermediate station on the Skagen Line if I want to get into #StrandbyMode.

Getting into #StrandbyMode is even better when you get off the Skagen Line at intermediate stops and walk to a secluded 🦭 beach, untouched marshland or a moving sand dune.

After four days, it's time to continue our journey. Our NightJ... Nordjyske Jernbaner train arrives in Frederikshavn. There is a connection to Tolne with the Togbus, or you can take the regular Expressbus to Aalborg. #StrandbyMode

Instead of taking the bus, we are walking towards the Frederikshavn ferry terminal. I quite like the access; it's a 500-metre-long pedestrian bridge that leads directly to the terminal. What I like less is standing still for 20 minutes in the queue with sniffing passengers. #StrandbyMode

On board the Stena Jutlandica, we struggle to find our way around. Unfortunately, we fail to find any normal passenger seats without an extra fee or that are not exclusively dedicated to bar customers. Having to find our way around a new ferry each time (not to mention other things such as check-in procedures and a manageable fear of sinking) means that ferries and I won't become friends. Anyway, we chose to sit on the sun deck to enjoy the sunny weather and the fresh sea air. #StrandbyMode

Passing through Gothenburg's archipelago by ferry is marvellous. 🥰 #StrandbyMode

One advantage of taking the ferry to #Göteborg is that it takes you straight to the city centre. The Danmarksterminalen is just 400 metres from Järntorget! #StrandbyMode

We make use of the Skagenbanen a lot over the following days. However, I haven't fully understood the adapted capacity pattern yet. On weekdays, there are half-hourly services in the afternoons. On Saturday, there were hourly services with two LINT each. On Sunday, there were hourly services with one LINT. I would guess that 80% of passengers are tourists right now, so I didn't expect these differences in capacity during the summer construction period. #StrandbyMode

There is Nordjyske Jernbaner staff on each train between Frederikshavn and Skagen keeping an eye on the bicycle situation. They seem to take this matter very serious, but there has always been enough space on the trains I have travelled on. #StrandbyMode

All intermediate stops between Skagen and Frederikshavn are request stops. You have to press a button on the train or at the station to make the train stop. It feels rather grand to make a humming LINT stop somewhere in the middle of nowhere in North Jutland just for you. Okay, not nowhere, but the stops Rimmen and Bunken are far from any settlements. However, I wonder how many tourists have failed to push the button because it is rather subtle. #StrandbyMode

On the subject of passenger information, please allow me a brief rant: Firstly, why would you choose such a tiny font size for the name of the next stop? Secondly, why use the remaining space for an ad with 'Next station' and the name of a station on the line, in a font size much bigger than that used to indicate the next stop? Stop abusing passenger information screens for marketing purposes. Provide proper information about the next stops, especially if they are request stops! 🤬 #StrandbyMode