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Explore by Rail
Germany
Приєднався 2 кві 2024
Hey there! I'm Jannik from Germany, a passionate train enthusiast dedicated to sharing the diversity of train travel on UA-cam, X and Instagram. Together, let's embark on a journey around the globe by rail.
What do I do?
I create videos showcasing the variety of train travel experiences worldwide. Train journeys offer a unique mix of adventure, comfort, and sometimes chaos - and I'm here to capture every moment. Through my content, I want to inspire more people to choose train travel over flying, promoting a more sustainable way to explore our planet.
And sometimes, I might also showcase other modes of transport, such as ferries and busses - cause, you know, sometimes train travel isn't the best option.
What do I do?
I create videos showcasing the variety of train travel experiences worldwide. Train journeys offer a unique mix of adventure, comfort, and sometimes chaos - and I'm here to capture every moment. Through my content, I want to inspire more people to choose train travel over flying, promoting a more sustainable way to explore our planet.
And sometimes, I might also showcase other modes of transport, such as ferries and busses - cause, you know, sometimes train travel isn't the best option.
Romania's home built 'High Speed' Train is WEIRD
Romania offers an exciting variety of Trains with most of them being second hand models from other european countries. But today, we will be checking out Romainas home built 'High Speed' Train and only electric multiple unit in the country - the Softrans Hyperion, built by Softronic in Craiova. And although the attempt of building these trains in country is respectable, the result is a rather interesting and weird mix of things you wouldn't really expect in a High Speed Train. So get aboard and learn about this weird Train while enjoying a Trip from Bucharest to Brasov.
Check out @SuperalbsTravels Review of the Train as well: ua-cam.com/video/uEPRoGwfD0w/v-deo.html
Date of Filming: 09/05/2024
Camera: Google Pixel 6a
Operator: Softrans
Departure: 09:14
Arrival: 11:44
Distance: 167 km; 104 mi
Journey Time: 2 h 30 min
average speed: 66.8 km/h; 41.5 mi/h
Cost: 37 RON; 7.44 EUR; 6.40 GBP; 7.99 USD
Support my channel 🤝✨:
Patreon 🙏: patreon.com/ExplorebyRail
Ko-fi ❤️: ko-fi.com/explorebyrail
buymeacoffee ☕: buymeacoffee.com/explorebyrail
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:26 Welcome to Bucharest!
0:46 The beautiful station
1:11 Historic features
1:50 Softronic Hyperion Unit
2:18 Busy Service
2:40 The Route
3:17 Enjoy the Ride & WIFI
3:38 The Seat
4:34 A cozy Trip
4:54 The interesting Interior
5:22 Danish Trains in Romania?
5:48 Toilet Review
6:20 Tickets & Booking
7:12 Rating the Journey
Check out @SuperalbsTravels Review of the Train as well: ua-cam.com/video/uEPRoGwfD0w/v-deo.html
Date of Filming: 09/05/2024
Camera: Google Pixel 6a
Operator: Softrans
Departure: 09:14
Arrival: 11:44
Distance: 167 km; 104 mi
Journey Time: 2 h 30 min
average speed: 66.8 km/h; 41.5 mi/h
Cost: 37 RON; 7.44 EUR; 6.40 GBP; 7.99 USD
Support my channel 🤝✨:
Patreon 🙏: patreon.com/ExplorebyRail
Ko-fi ❤️: ko-fi.com/explorebyrail
buymeacoffee ☕: buymeacoffee.com/explorebyrail
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:26 Welcome to Bucharest!
0:46 The beautiful station
1:11 Historic features
1:50 Softronic Hyperion Unit
2:18 Busy Service
2:40 The Route
3:17 Enjoy the Ride & WIFI
3:38 The Seat
4:34 A cozy Trip
4:54 The interesting Interior
5:22 Danish Trains in Romania?
5:48 Toilet Review
6:20 Tickets & Booking
7:12 Rating the Journey
Переглядів: 27 285
Відео
Is the NEW Nightjet MINI CABIN worth the hype?
Переглядів 933Місяць тому
Today, we will head aboard ÖBB's New Generation Nightjet Night Trains, that started operation in 2023. One of the promised highlights of the trains are the new Mini Cabin Sleeping Pods, that should offer a Sleeping car-like experience while being budget friendly. Unfortunately, the Mini Cabins face a few major problems though. So come with me and find out why the new Mini Cabins are not the Nig...
Why I LOVE Regiojet's SUPER CHEAP International Trains
Переглядів 1,4 тис.Місяць тому
Today, we'll be taking Regiojets incredible international Train from Prague in Czechia to Budapest in Hungary in Business Class. And this trip on this open-access operators Trains left me more than excited. The train offers great comfort, be it in Business Class, Relax Class or even standard class, has very affordable food and drinks onboard and makes the overall journey absolutely enjoyable. S...
I tried Moldova's 'New' 60 Year old Train- Here's What Happened
Переглядів 17 тис.2 місяці тому
This is the D1M - Moldova's only Diesel Multiple Unit and international day train connection. And even though these trains look fairly modern, some of them are more than 60 years old and stem from the Soviet Union. So get onboard Europe's slowest international train connection and learn about the history of the Calea Ferată din Moldova / CFM D1M Trains. Thanks to Paliparan for letting me use th...
Prague's almost unknown Highlight: The Scenic Pražský Semmering Railway
Переглядів 2,6 тис.2 місяці тому
Welcome to the Pražský Semmering aka Prague Semmering Railway - one of Prague's lesser known attractions and an absolute must for Railway Fans! Operated by KŽC Doprava, this Class 152 / 810 rail bus will make us enjoy beautiful views on the city of Prague. Join me on this scenic Ride from Praha Zličín in the cities west to Prague's centrail railway station hlavní nádraží and enjoy the views! Mo...
Onboard Hungary's unusual green and yellow Intercity Train
Переглядів 8 тис.3 місяці тому
Today, we'll be riding on one of Gsev / Raaberbahns green and yellow Raabercity Intercity Trains that connect Sopron, Győr and Budapest in first class. Join me and experience the austro-hungarian Joint Venture Train experience while learning how this company bridged the Iron Curtain. Let's explore by Rail! Date of Filming: 02/05/2024 Camera: Google Pixel 6a Operator: Gysev/Raaberbahn Departure:...
Discover Romania's surprising Luxury Night Train
Переглядів 18 тис.3 місяці тому
Welcome onboard Romanias Luxury Night Train operated by Astra Trans Carpatic on my journey from Arad in the Countries West to the Capital of Romania, Bucharest. Join me and enjoy the luxurious interior of the Luxury Single Sleeper Room while learning about the service and it's features in detail. Date of Filming: 20/04/2024 Camera: Google Pixel 6a Operator: Astra Trans Carpatic Departure: 20:35...
typical slavs with phobia of cameras
Nu este în limba română nu înțeleg nimic
Subtitles should work though :)
@@ExplorebyRail Nu cunosc decât limba română
Meanwhile romanian tracks have an avg speed of 40kph 😂😂😂 The fastest train track allows train to go up to 100mph (160kph)
The București - Constanța route is fairly speedy :)
the german second hands [ 0:13 ] were acquired quite recently! they were bought by regiocalatori to replace their almost fossilized red/beige ones. chairs are pretty comfy, doors are automatic, and it has tables and charging plugs. these all sound like mundane features but theyre crazy new for the average commuter like i am
Happy you like the VT 2e units. They have been in service with Hessische Landesbahn for pretty long and were only phased out due to an operator change on the line. Looks like I gotta film a Review on my next trip to Romania then :)
taking into account this is a private and not a state operator so they also got to make a profit the quality per dollar/euro spent is CRAZY
You are not wrong here. Considering the exceptionally low price, the offering is more than decent!
Ce mă 😂😂😂😂😂😂
sorry? :)
Nu poate nimeni sa arate alta fata a Garii de Nord ...Sa o renoveze ?
This is the Hyperion train, built by Softronic, which is a private company in Craiova where I live. I absolutely love this train and I used to travel with it from Craiova to Sinaia till I bought my first car, in 2022. It's not exactly a high speed train, as it's officially capped at 160 km/ h, but as other people wrote here, the railway system is in bad shape and limits how fast any train can go. We're glad you liked it though!
Yeah, I think apart from the București to Constanța route no route on Romania's Railway Network really is in good shape. But I heard a lot of trackwork is coming in soon?
moldova is very interesting place👌 liked it there
It really is!
way faster than US trains..
Really?
The Arad train station had a sister in Wienna. It was built by the Austro-Hungarians. in the centre you will find a classical Austro-Hungarian city although in decay. In some places you could also find some bullet-holes from the revolution that also saw fighting happen in the city. The cities best Landmark is the Fortress where Princip, the assassin of Franz Ferdinand was held. It is unfortunately still occupied by the army.
I will surely explore the city when I'm back!
In general you don't need to sit in your assigned seat in Romania. They don't really care for that in 90% of cases. Also don't expect CFR to operate at anything more than 60 km/h. It once took me 4 hours to get to Oradea from Arad and 3 hours from Arad to Timisoara although it's only some 40 something km away.
Thanks for the info! That already seemed a little unusual to me during my trip to Romania :D
❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊🎉🎉🎉🎉
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Thank you for giving information concerning accessibility for persons with reduced mobility. I am aware that some countries face challenges in making their train network accessible, but it is interesting to get some information in videos, as this information is not always readily available
Of course! I think this is a very important feature of a train
romania is weird
sometimes, but I like it :)
I absolutely love this clip! Your unique perspective and engaging presentation style always keep me captivated. I never miss a second and can't wait to see more!
Glad you enjoyed the video! And I am happy to welcome you my community :)
Congratulations Romania !! <3
:)
0:53 this is how Gara de Nord in Bucharest should've looked like it's a shame we aren't putting as much money as it should be in the rail infrastructure :/
They are heavily investing in their infrastructure at the moment, aren't they? :)
În the last months started the investments into the train and rails infrastructure, they are working right now to make it better, if you return in 2/3 years everything will be much better, there is alot o money infused into this side.
I will definitely be back!
One of the main source of ... leaking money from the Ministry of transport is through CFR. They did it for decades! No repairing the stations, no renewing the carriages or locomotives, don't get me started on the state of the tracks, they just began in the last 4 years refitting or replacing some of them ( mind you, no major work has been done to them since 1988!!!! can't even talk about newly built lines... no plans for that! ). Softronic is making freight locomotives mainly for DB Schencher, OBB and a few other State owned companies all throughout Europe and also a few private operators. CFR refuses to buy what we call "rame electrice", this type of train from Softronic because they can't leak what they want. They put an order for polish trains, the first few already arrived, 2 of them are out of order because in testing on the railway network they got damaged by rocks... its a complete clowfest
Let's hope things will get better in the future :)
The only way to travel by train in Romanian is on intercity routes by CFR, if not you can make 100km in 2 half hours.
At least for most routes , sadly yes. On some routes, private operators do have quite compelling offerings though:)
Made me think that this is a romanian behind the channel because of so many videos covering romanian trains. I am from Romania so the video sure hit it's targeted audience haha
Haha great! Not a Romanian, just a german railway Enthusiast enjoying travel :)
Softrans was made cuz the state owned CFR didn't wanna buy romanian made trains. So Softronic made Softrans, tho softronic sells trains to Swiden, Bulgaria, Slovacia, Germany
Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks for the insights!
They sell locomotives to the said countries (and also Poland, Austria and Hungary), not trains
Like
Thanks!
I used Softrans 2 months ago on the same route. The CFR (state own company) cost double - and will cost around 150 lei (30 euros) one way to Brasov from Bucharest for 2 adults. From this point is cheaper by car - for this trip. Diesel is around ~ 1.5 euro/L with an average consumption of 6L/100Km. You`ll come cheaper for 2 adults or more . The plus for Softrans: you get what you paid for. Minus: Confort. This is at best a regional train/ commute train - NOT an intercity. Trips that last more than 30-40 minutes become uncomfortable. Quality of the ride... I found CFR trains more comfortable, better suspensions and less noise compared to Softrans. At 120 Km/h Softrans trains vibrate. CFR trains do not !
The Astra Trans Capartic offering on the route is pretty great though :)
Like und viele Grüße aus Rumänien!
Danke und Grüße zurück:)
nice video
Thanks! :)
nice
Thank you
nice video
Thanks for watching :)
Romania's train infrastructure is generally bad, because it has fallen into disrepair. I don't know a whole lot about trains (this video just got pushed a lot to my front page and I decided to just watch it to see what it's about), however CFR has pretty much had a monopoly on train transport since its inception. It's only recently that new players in the business have started to pop up, like Softrans. Back in the days of the communist regime, when most the tracks were new or maintained, the cruising speed was 90 km/h. Now, in some areas, it's been reduced to 40 km/h. With so many disadvantageous transport solutions, no wonder Romania has turned into a car-centric country. We are building more highways rather than railroads.
Thanks for checking in anyways! And thanks also for the insights!
Maintainance and slight upgrades ( signal, straightening etc.) Would not be that expansive. Targeting 160 or 120 km top speed is realistic.
It's actually pretty sad it's become like this because trains are safer and you generaly can't get stuck in traffic. Sure, issues happen but they are not that frequent, and i had the "luck" to experience issues with all train operators, not just CFR.
That's not really a high speed train. It's a licenced 1950's swedish electric locomotive with a facelift.
hence the parentheses in the title :D
If you ever go again to Brașov you should try the Astra TransCarpatic train, it s really good
I took it on my way back to București, a Review will come soon :)
Nice presented and well pronounced!
Glad you liked it! I did my best :)
e deja mizerabil . cati ani are doar. civilizatia romaneasca ?? unde ??
Don't be so hard to your country. Many trains in the country are actually quite good and the Hyperion wasn't too bad at all :)
Dar unde te crezi? In Germania? Alo desteapta-te, esti in Romania.
If only the trains wouldn't move at a snail pace and the rails would be maintained well enough to actually allow these trains to move at their actual speeds
yeah, that's a shame. Other railroads in the country are better though. Especially the București - Constanța route
Im not a train fan but i am from brașov. Cfr isn't the best but... Anyways
I think it can get better though. CFR is buying quite a few modern trains at the moment :)
Romani Amputiti
Good value for a 2.5-hour journey.. In the Uk, a 25-minute journey cost over 17£.
true!
you traveled with a bike? Wonder if you payed extra for it. (Câte biciclete ... ?)
No, I didn't have a bike with me. The ticket booking clip was just a general example :)
For all the "idiots" . For less than 8Euro to go from Bucharest to Brasov what do you expect? 5 stars restaurant, swimming pool, casino? Is a 2 hours trip. Calm down stupids!
I dont recomand to take the train if you come in Romania. Your rating is to high for what offers!
I think it was fine. But the competing offers from Regio Calatori and Astra Trans Carpatic are better though.
1:03 They promised they gonna invest 200+ mil $ to renovate this railway and get it to the European standards ! At the end of this year the work should start according to the Ministry of Transport here. But we heard this lies before so still nothing 100% yet i guess haha.
Let's hope for the best I guess :D
200+ mil $ is not so much as you might think. The train station in my hometown alone was 160 million Euro and that is just one provincial train station.
you should also point out how each station you went through has a historic locomotive as display, steam or electric
is that the case for every station? :)
I'm not sure, but most stations have historic locomotives. @@ExplorebyRail
You can see how shitty a country treats its train system when entering a station first thing you see is someone's personal vehicle casually parked on the platform. This country is crap. And Softrans likewise, for something built 12 years ago, these trains look awful. Prices will soon reach Western Europe levels, while services are a joke compared to what's being offered there. I am waiting for the day Romania is kicked out of the EU, we honestly do not belong there, it's shameful to show yourself off in such a disastrous form and shape.
Correct. We're a shame.
Im not 100% sure but the train station is under construction (how i see its and older video) and you can see from 8:05 that a part of the peron is closed cause of that. Maybe that minibus/truck/car is for the workers. I saw multiple times cars on that part of the station and all of them were for the workers.
The railways in Romania are in poor shape, you are right. I really wish there will be more investment in the future. When travelling back home with the Dacia Night Train I saw a lot of track works going on though, so maybe there is hope? :)
Hai frate, nu mai fii așa de rău =)) Încă avem multe șanse să ne dezvoltăm, trebuie doar să rezolve această discrepanță între CFR și fondurile europene. Deoarece ei muncesc în tranșe, de obicei nu ajung să folosească fondurile europene din PNRR pentru a dezvolta calea ferată. Dar, puțin cu puțin, ne dezvoltăm. Deja s-a reconstruit rețeaua București-Giurgiu (și automat către Bulgaria) și au început și lucrările la electrificarea și modernizarea căii ferate de la Cluj la Oradea, dar și de la Constanța la Mangalia. Bineînțeles, sunt foarte multe locuri unde trebuie modernizată/electrificată calea ferată, dar încet-încet ajungem acolo. Trebuie doar să sperăm că dăm iar de un ministru al transporturilor bun cum a fost Cătălin Drulă, care a început lucrările la București-Giurgiu (pentru prima data in vreo 15 ani de când s-a prăbușit podul de la Grădiștea) dar și la autostrăzi, etc.
@@alpitu21 Avem pe dracu'! Fii realist!
I absolutely love this video. Congratulations man, I'm happy that you enjoyed your trip here. I also very much love how you tried your hardest to pronounce the romanian cities, it was so cute haha. But you did a really good job.
Mulţumesc! I am trying my best to at least not completely butcher the language, thanks for the praise! I absolutely enjoyed my time in Romania and will try to come back soon. I still have a lot of places left to visit and many trains to review - and I am mostly looking forward to the new Alstom Coradia Stream units CFR will hopefully introduce soon :)
@@ExplorebyRail Cu plăcere =)) I absolutely love it when youtubers try their best. Your content rocks, I've watched some more videos. Also, tell me if you ever come to Constanta (the biggest coastal city) - I can tell you what to visit if you wish to xD there's high speed (for us) rail connecting the capital city to here
@@ExplorebyRail Hope u will come back to review the new trains we bought from Alstom in this winter the first one should be available for service.
I am planning on it! I will try to get back to Romania to review the new units as well as all other trains I have not reviewed yet as soon as possible :)
@@ExplorebyRail I think that you can see the new trains even sooner in the Făurei testing station where trains can go 250km/h (unbelievable for romania xD) but it depends on the time you come back aswell
Dude, the landscape from Sinaia to Predeal is literally the most spectacular mountain view you can see on the Romanian railways. It seems you just missed it because of low clouds. p.s. to anyone outside Romania traveling here by rail, please avoid the bathrooms in the train stations and on CFR operated trains if at all possible. Trust me, you don't want to go in there.
The views are beautiful, absolutely. I saw them on my way back with Astra Trans Carpatic as well as when I took the Dacia Night Train on my way back home. So you are absolutely right there :) I just think that the Views around Racoș and on the historic Mocăniță route are just as beautiful :) And yeah: CFR's toilets are disgraceful
The most spectacular view on romanian railways isn't Sinaia to Predeal, it's Livezeni to Bumbesti Jiu (Defileul Jiului) and Ramnicu Valcea to Sibiu (Valea Oltului) , trust me.
@@albertcristian4540 yeah, Valea Oltului is spectacular, much more in autumn.
Softrans and Astra trans trains have good bathrooms. also some train stations were modernized or at least clean (Iasi, Brasov)
Tell us about trains conditions , conditioned air , gypsy , delay .
Quick note: The IC2 wasn't Danish built - it was built in Italy by the disastrous AnsaldoBreda for Danish State Railways (DSB) as part of their modernisation efforts in the 2000s. The trains were so unreliable that the IC2 barely saw service and most of them sat abandoned in railway sidings before eventually being sold to Romania. Their big brother the IC4 is still in service after major teething problems, DSB is only just recovering from the damage. One of them never entered service and instead ended up in Libya (a country with no railways) as a luxury gift from Italy to Gaddafi.
Thanks! Sorry for that, of course "former Danish" aka. "previously in operation in Denmark" is not a synonyme for "danish built". I should have been a bit more precise here. I gotta say: At least in service with Astra Trans Carpatic, I didn't hate the IC2's at all - at least as a customer. The seats are reasonably comfortable (and definitely better than the Seats in the Hyperion units), the trains are clean and well lit, accessibility is pretty great as well. I don't know whether those units still suffer the same reliability issues as in Denmark though
@@ExplorebyRail From what I read, most of the complaints/issues were the train computer throwing up unexplainable errors, the engines/gearbox being noisy and not very smooth, and the diesel engines emitting a lot of fumes in the cramped underground station of Nørreport, I'm sure the issues were largely fixed but the disastrous start left a sour taste. I accidentally ended up on one between the airport and CPH Central (which is unusual because that line is usually served by electric) and the 10 minute ride in the long-distance IC4 unit was very pleasant, then again, my train experience is with older, smaller, regional trains in Scotland, Danish trains are a higher standard.
1:54 Route wird [ruːt] gesprochen, nicht [raut] Das hört man öfter von amis, aber ist verkehrt - vgl clip jbwPKIPVcPw Bitte pass dich nicht an diesen fehler an, du stützt sonst dessen ausbreitung, und die kopflose masse plappert nach - so ändern sich sprachen, angeblich 'natürlich'
Danke für die Verbesserung!
i loved the video, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the clear and informational video!
Glad it was helpful!