Also, I go Nurenmberg to Schwandorf and then catch this. It's about 200 miles to Prague and it takes like 6 hours. It's a real slow train too. This needs to be upgraded.
This is a very sad international connection. BUT HOW did you a) arrive on time b) travel in the train's standart composition c) the train was half empty. Normally this train is a complete shitshow with delays of over an hour being the norm rather than the exception and carriages being taken out of the consist thus resulting in the train's overcrowding. And you had actually useful on-board announcments??? That is rare. very rare. normally the staff doesn't communicate the journey progress even when there are disruptions to the service. The train is also often cancelled in select sections. Also some info to this route: There are plans for upgrading and electrifying the line Plzeň-Schwandorf. I don't know much about the german side but the first czech section is very close to starting construction. The tunnel Beroun-Prague is only in very early planning stages and knowing it's czechia the human race will probably be eliminated by climate change before that happens. But since it's a tunnel there won't be nimbys so there's some hope? Also since the change of the timetables in last december all express trains avoid Smíchov station due to the Výtoň railway bridge being in a very bad condition limiting the amount of trains that can pass through there. With this they're hoping to stabilize the S-bahn trains which have been plagued by delays since the express trains get priority and keep the bridge in a functioning condition as long as possible by only allowing lighter trains. But I don't understand why the trains don't stop at Vršovice instead, that'd be a usefull connection. The Výtoň bridge is supposed to be replaced by a new wider 3-track bridge. However there are many idiotic nimbys that block the construction and want the old bridge to remain by being repaired. However the nimbys don't understand that the bridge's condition is so severe that repairing it will be very hard if not impossible and only delay the needed replacement while not increasing the desparately needed capacity. Also the clearances on the bridge are too tight to allow for a switch to 25kV AC which is planned to be the standard and only electrification system in Czechia going forward, just like is planned in the rest of EU. Am I talking too much? :)
The only hope for the Výtoň bridge is that one night, it finally may tumble down. Then it should be finally possible to build a new bridge as nothing else would make sense.
Excellent trip, was it fairly recent? It looked pretty cold early on. Was surprised to find English announcements on the train. Loved the bonus content, it showed the difference between facilities on EC trains. Hopefully you've got some more long distance trips for us?
Yes, but I believe the logic is opposite (correct me anyone if I am wrong). The Braník bridge got a second track because the transport over the Výtoň bridge is unsustainable.
True good old Rail-Cars nice Journey, but Alex Company is rundown nowadays, far away from its Prime-Days with the original Owners. Don't know how it was so empty, maybe was showed als cancelled again. The whole Track on German side is also problematic, train might be 20 Minutes late, when they announce a 70 Minute delay or something. But if it works it works, great video.
I think the most reason for the emptyness is that it doesn’t have that good amenities compaired to EC Berliner or RJ Vindobona Berlin-Graz, from Munich we can go with RJ to Vienna then with another RJ or RGJ to Prag (or even ICE to Berlin/Dresden then EC to Prag). And the funniest part is the EC ín Czech is just a normal RE to the Germany. Well until it gets what the EC Berliner had (or a direct RJ lol)
This train definitely is no Eurocity, even though it's labelled as EC. The travel speed reminded me of a Regional train. I really don't know why they call this an Eurocity train. It totally lacks every typical feature of Eurocity trains.
@@1ndi64well it's only an EC to CD, not to Germany (RE25). While seeing what this train got, this is more deserved to be an regional train, maybe the only reason to be called EC is because of the connection between Munich and Prag, not what they got themselves
Leaving München, I was impressed by how quickly the train gets to smooth welded rails. During the frequent loco changes, does power to the car get cut for long periods, or just a matter of seconds with 2 locos attached and just matter of turning off old loco and turning on news one powering tha carriages? With a change of direction, it is possibe to have the old loco at the new end of train, and new loco at the new start of train both conceted so this has logistics problems in terms of the AC cycle. Can't have both feeding carriages at same time.
Dear Count Dracula^H^H^H^H^H^H^H doc7austin, I realize that when people see you board a train, they all leave so you always have the train to yourself ! But I just want to say that I would have no problem traveling on the same train as you (but would bring a crucifix and some garlic just in case 🙂 ) Though I admire your courage to take a daytime train in full sunlight. That must have been very hard to do 🙂 I wonder of this physical train ends up being full on return journey, but empty on the direction you took because of time of day (and availability of other faster trains).
These extremely useful trains also used to feature a dining / bistro car where it was possible to get a full meal and also some superb Czech beer but very sadly they disappeared. These trains run about 2-hourly as said and they run in the alternate hours to the München Hbf - Hof DB services which should be 4 or 5 double deck coaches which is usually a DB 111/146 as far as Regensburg and then a DB 218 forward from there to Hof. Due to loadings, the Alex trains are often about 6 or 7 coaches between München and Regensburg where 2/3 coaches are removed and the journey to Praha is usually just 4 coaches.
@ they ran throughout on a Praha section of the train as I remember boarding the 1844 at München going just to Regensburg Hbf in the past and having a full meal before I got off.
Dear author, there is issue with subtitles (cc) at the beginning of the video, and someone is deleting my comments about it (might be because I inserted a link to an image in the comment).
Well, it's Eurocity for ČD, but it's just some regional train for the Germans, which kinda sets the level of service you should expect. This is probably the saddest existing rail connection between any two large EU cities.
@@doc7austin but the outlook for Madrid-Lisbon is much better, I mean, Madrid to Portugal might have high speed train connection in 10 years, Prague to Munich will not have high speed train connection within the next 100 :)
No there is no Hof portion. That is served in the opposing 2 hour frequency to these Alex trains by a DB operated 4 or 5 coach double deck train hauled by a DB electric to Regensburg Hbf and then a DB 218 from there.
@ it was a two section train yes you are correct and the ALEX trains divided at Schwandorf, heading North the leading portion which often had a double decker coach went to Hof and the rear portion at Schwandorf went to Praha. Remember that the train reversed at Regensburg and so at München Hbf the train was front portion Praha behind the locomotive and the rear portion by the buffer stops was the Hof! Very confusing! 🤷♂️😂
I tried that train last Christmas. It was standing room only over the border, and a relief when the 363 backed two carriages on at Plzeň. They could speed it up by including a driving carriage in the formation so you didn't have to swap locomotives at each reversal. Are the Czechs extending the wires beyond Plzeň?
I used this many times in the last two years and there are times when it's crazy full, I'm guessing touristy seasons mostly. @fussyboy2000 yes, electrification and overall modernisation between Plzeň and the border is planned, in three stages, and they hope to be able to do it between 2026 and 2030. The first stage between Plzeň and Stod is going to be first and is currently getting building permits to start building in 2026-28. The other two stages are not as far in the process, they hope to build in 2027-30. Fun fact, large part of this line will stay single track...
This train (line) has probably the biggest fluctuation in occupancy in Europe. One day it can be so full you can't get on in some sections (there as been news that even the police sometimeshas to be called due to overcrowding), another day (in the middle of winter for example) there will be less then 10 people in the entire train. Tip: the ČD (CZ) carrigages are usually better than the Alex (DE) ones. 😂
How can first class be those couchettes? That's crazy, that's like flying coach on airplane. I've taken this train. Calling those couchettes first class is shockingly stupid. I wonder if the people booking them realize you could be sitting with five people ? When I go to Prague with a first class Eurail Pass, I'm avoiding this train. I'll plan my trip coming from Berlin or Dresden or Vienna.
@trupman you've obviously never ridden an ICE train with a 2x 1 first class or any normal train that at the very least has a 2 x 2 first class. Others have 2 x 1 also
Also, I go Nurenmberg to Schwandorf and then catch this. It's about 200 miles to Prague and it takes like 6 hours. It's a real slow train too. This needs to be upgraded.
Love the sound of that Beacon like an Organ LOL
Nice review.
I took exactly the same train last June and let me tell you it was already insanely crowded in Munich 😅. Anyways great video!
The open window coaches are a gem . They should be preserved.
exactly
Beautiful video - thx👍
This is a very sad international connection. BUT HOW did you a) arrive on time b) travel in the train's standart composition c) the train was half empty. Normally this train is a complete shitshow with delays of over an hour being the norm rather than the exception and carriages being taken out of the consist thus resulting in the train's overcrowding. And you had actually useful on-board announcments??? That is rare. very rare. normally the staff doesn't communicate the journey progress even when there are disruptions to the service. The train is also often cancelled in select sections.
Also some info to this route:
There are plans for upgrading and electrifying the line Plzeň-Schwandorf. I don't know much about the german side but the first czech section is very close to starting construction.
The tunnel Beroun-Prague is only in very early planning stages and knowing it's czechia the human race will probably be eliminated by climate change before that happens. But since it's a tunnel there won't be nimbys so there's some hope?
Also since the change of the timetables in last december all express trains avoid Smíchov station due to the Výtoň railway bridge being in a very bad condition limiting the amount of trains that can pass through there. With this they're hoping to stabilize the S-bahn trains which have been plagued by delays since the express trains get priority and keep the bridge in a functioning condition as long as possible by only allowing lighter trains. But I don't understand why the trains don't stop at Vršovice instead, that'd be a usefull connection. The Výtoň bridge is supposed to be replaced by a new wider 3-track bridge. However there are many idiotic nimbys that block the construction and want the old bridge to remain by being repaired. However the nimbys don't understand that the bridge's condition is so severe that repairing it will be very hard if not impossible and only delay the needed replacement while not increasing the desparately needed capacity. Also the clearances on the bridge are too tight to allow for a switch to 25kV AC which is planned to be the standard and only electrification system in Czechia going forward, just like is planned in the rest of EU.
Am I talking too much? :)
Oh, there will be nimbys, believe me. Just look at all the hallo surrounding the railway tunnel to be built between Stromovka and Praha/Veleslavín.
The only hope for the Výtoň bridge is that one night, it finally may tumble down. Then it should be finally possible to build a new bridge as nothing else would make sense.
@ yeah that will probably happen. hopefully without people on it
Excellent trip, was it fairly recent? It looked pretty cold early on.
Was surprised to find English announcements on the train.
Loved the bonus content, it showed the difference between facilities on EC trains.
Hopefully you've got some more long distance trips for us?
all filmed about a week ago
il treno è molto affollato !!comunque complimenti per la consueta professionalità del video
Didn't know they now avoid the Praha - Smichov Station since the Braník Bridge got the second track 😮.
Yes, but I believe the logic is opposite (correct me anyone if I am wrong). The Braník bridge got a second track because the transport over the Výtoň bridge is unsustainable.
quando centomila iscritti ??? a presto !!!
Nice video
True good old Rail-Cars nice Journey, but Alex Company is rundown nowadays, far away from its Prime-Days with the original Owners. Don't know how it was so empty, maybe was showed als cancelled again. The whole Track on German side is also problematic, train might be 20 Minutes late, when they announce a 70 Minute delay or something. But if it works it works, great video.
I think the most reason for the emptyness is that it doesn’t have that good amenities compaired to EC Berliner or RJ Vindobona Berlin-Graz, from Munich we can go with RJ to Vienna then with another RJ or RGJ to Prag (or even ICE to Berlin/Dresden then EC to Prag). And the funniest part is the EC ín Czech is just a normal RE to the Germany. Well until it gets what the EC Berliner had (or a direct RJ lol)
This train definitely is no Eurocity, even though it's labelled as EC. The travel speed reminded me of a Regional train. I really don't know why they call this an Eurocity train. It totally lacks every typical feature of Eurocity trains.
@@1ndi64well it's only an EC to CD, not to Germany (RE25). While seeing what this train got, this is more deserved to be an regional train, maybe the only reason to be called EC is because of the connection between Munich and Prag, not what they got themselves
Leaving München, I was impressed by how quickly the train gets to smooth welded rails. During the frequent loco changes, does power to the car get cut for long periods, or just a matter of seconds with 2 locos attached and just matter of turning off old loco and turning on news one powering tha carriages? With a change of direction, it is possibe to have the old loco at the new end of train, and new loco at the new start of train both conceted so this has logistics problems in terms of the AC cycle. Can't have both feeding carriages at same time.
I prefer these classical slow Eurocity trains. As a client of Trenitalia I remember well these ex-Intercity carriages.
Dear Count Dracula^H^H^H^H^H^H^H doc7austin,
I realize that when people see you board a train, they all leave so you always have the train to yourself ! But I just want to say that I would have no problem traveling on the same train as you (but would bring a crucifix and some garlic just in case 🙂 ) Though I admire your courage to take a daytime train in full sunlight. That must have been very hard to do 🙂
I wonder of this physical train ends up being full on return journey, but empty on the direction you took because of time of day (and availability of other faster trains).
These extremely useful trains also used to feature a dining / bistro car where it was possible to get a full meal and also some superb Czech beer but very sadly they disappeared. These trains run about 2-hourly as said and they run in the alternate hours to the München Hbf - Hof DB services which should be 4 or 5 double deck coaches which is usually a DB 111/146 as far as Regensburg and then a DB 218 forward from there to Hof.
Due to loadings, the Alex trains are often about 6 or 7 coaches between München and Regensburg where 2/3 coaches are removed and the journey to Praha is usually just 4 coaches.
on which segment did these bistro cars ran - on plzen-prague ?
* I would just add that Pilsen - Prague also has 1 to 2 extra coaches added typically
@ they ran throughout on a Praha section of the train as I remember boarding the 1844 at München going just to Regensburg Hbf in the past and having a full meal before I got off.
@ good point and often yes when they change locos to the CD362 at Plzen, some coaches do get added on those trains.
Dear author, there is issue with subtitles (cc) at the beginning of the video, and someone is deleting my comments about it (might be because I inserted a link to an image in the comment).
what is exactly the problem ?
Well, it's Eurocity for ČD, but it's just some regional train for the Germans, which kinda sets the level of service you should expect. This is probably the saddest existing rail connection between any two large EU cities.
have a look at Madrid-Lisbon; Munich-Prague is paradise to that;
@@doc7austin I was mostly thinking about direct connections though. But, fair, Madrid-Lisbon connection is indeed depressing.
@@doc7austin but the outlook for Madrid-Lisbon is much better, I mean, Madrid to Portugal might have high speed train connection in 10 years, Prague to Munich will not have high speed train connection within the next 100 :)
They don't have Munich - Hof portion of this train, do they now?
No there is no Hof portion. That is served in the opposing 2 hour frequency to these Alex trains by a DB operated 4 or 5 coach double deck train hauled by a DB electric to Regensburg Hbf and then a DB 218 from there.
@@SimonPilkington-g3i I see, old schedule has this as a two portion express train
@ it was a two section train yes you are correct and the ALEX trains divided at Schwandorf, heading North the leading portion which often had a double decker coach went to Hof and the rear portion at Schwandorf went to Praha. Remember that the train reversed at Regensburg and so at München Hbf the train was front portion Praha behind the locomotive and the rear portion by the buffer stops was the Hof! Very confusing! 🤷♂️😂
LOL slow you should have tried it in the 1980s and soldiers did a full search of the train and I think they changed gauge too.
yes; no border check whatsoever on my trip
I tried that train last Christmas. It was standing room only over the border, and a relief when the 363 backed two carriages on at Plzeň. They could speed it up by including a driving carriage in the formation so you didn't have to swap locomotives at each reversal. Are the Czechs extending the wires beyond Plzeň?
on my trip the train was virtually empty all the way
I used this many times in the last two years and there are times when it's crazy full, I'm guessing touristy seasons mostly.
@fussyboy2000 yes, electrification and overall modernisation between Plzeň and the border is planned, in three stages, and they hope to be able to do it between 2026 and 2030. The first stage between Plzeň and Stod is going to be first and is currently getting building permits to start building in 2026-28. The other two stages are not as far in the process, they hope to build in 2027-30. Fun fact, large part of this line will stay single track...
This train (line) has probably the biggest fluctuation in occupancy in Europe. One day it can be so full you can't get on in some sections (there as been news that even the police sometimeshas to be called due to overcrowding), another day (in the middle of winter for example) there will be less then 10 people in the entire train. Tip: the ČD (CZ) carrigages are usually better than the Alex (DE) ones. 😂
How can first class be those couchettes? That's crazy, that's like flying coach on airplane. I've taken this train. Calling those couchettes first class is shockingly stupid. I wonder if the people booking them realize you could be sitting with five people ? When I go to Prague with a first class Eurail Pass, I'm avoiding this train. I'll plan my trip coming from Berlin or Dresden or Vienna.
😂 Somebody is socially awkward here❤
Couchette is much more comfy than open space. In open space you travel with hundred other people. Yay
@trupman you've obviously never ridden an ICE train with a 2x 1 first class or any normal train that at the very least has a 2 x 2 first class. Others have 2 x 1 also
Little digression seems like the cab car is on service on RJ2 sets