Philip of Staines
@philipdp.bsky.social
I love to share my adventures - and even more to enjoy yours! I live in Staines - and that is all you need to know...
I was hoping for at least 'Westbahn' quality of self-service catering.
November 6, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I was hoping for at least 'Westbahn' quality of self-service catering.
Pilgrims' Progress...
October 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Pilgrims' Progress...
After a peaceful time in Kevelaer, it's back to reality on the railway. Our train south is short-formed with half the doors out of use, including the loo...
We'll miss our connection at Krefeld, but since there's disruption onwards to Köln, we'll stay on until Düsseldorf.
We'll miss our connection at Krefeld, but since there's disruption onwards to Köln, we'll stay on until Düsseldorf.
October 29, 2025 at 12:28 PM
After a peaceful time in Kevelaer, it's back to reality on the railway. Our train south is short-formed with half the doors out of use, including the loo...
We'll miss our connection at Krefeld, but since there's disruption onwards to Köln, we'll stay on until Düsseldorf.
We'll miss our connection at Krefeld, but since there's disruption onwards to Köln, we'll stay on until Düsseldorf.
Little known outside of Germany and the Netherlands, Kevelaer is a lovely little place to rest for a bit.
October 29, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Little known outside of Germany and the Netherlands, Kevelaer is a lovely little place to rest for a bit.
We had a nice time in Kevelaer, doing various pilgrimage activities. The Gnadenkapelle, with its tiny imagine of Our Lady of Luxembourg, is the centrepiece of this sanctuary.
October 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
We had a nice time in Kevelaer, doing various pilgrimage activities. The Gnadenkapelle, with its tiny imagine of Our Lady of Luxembourg, is the centrepiece of this sanctuary.
They blamed it on a signal fault!
October 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
They blamed it on a signal fault!
The 17.06 to Kleve is cancelled, leaving the 17.36 as our only option (the 18.06 is cancelled too). But it is also short-formed, so you can imagine the scene.
October 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The 17.06 to Kleve is cancelled, leaving the 17.36 as our only option (the 18.06 is cancelled too). But it is also short-formed, so you can imagine the scene.
Krefeld Hbf used to be an efficient, tidy, convenient place to change trains. But with no toilets, ticket counter, staff, and most of the shops closed, it's now a bleak and miserable place. A shame, as the architecture is gorgeous.
October 27, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Krefeld Hbf used to be an efficient, tidy, convenient place to change trains. But with no toilets, ticket counter, staff, and most of the shops closed, it's now a bleak and miserable place. A shame, as the architecture is gorgeous.
Our next part of the journey was to take the stopper to Krefeld, where we would change trains. But once over the border, DB welcomed us in their customary way.
October 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Our next part of the journey was to take the stopper to Krefeld, where we would change trains. But once over the border, DB welcomed us in their customary way.
Onto the local service to Aachen!
October 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Onto the local service to Aachen!
We then took the Intercity to Verviers, where (most of us) got off as planned.
October 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
We then took the Intercity to Verviers, where (most of us) got off as planned.
We got to Brussels no problem!
October 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
We got to Brussels no problem!
I think we've got a good system here in UK, but very much despite the knocking around it's had by successive governments. My main gripe is that opportunities to make things even better are consistently missed - with fares integration, electrification, and better schedules frequently evaded.
October 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I think we've got a good system here in UK, but very much despite the knocking around it's had by successive governments. My main gripe is that opportunities to make things even better are consistently missed - with fares integration, electrification, and better schedules frequently evaded.
Pleased to say Eurostar were very helpful when I got in touch. We're now booked on the 07:04 with an upgrade. An early start from Staines, but we're happy!
October 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Pleased to say Eurostar were very helpful when I got in touch. We're now booked on the 07:04 with an upgrade. An early start from Staines, but we're happy!
Thank you! I've been on the phone to them this morning, the member of staff was lovely, but they say they'll be in touch later - hopefully with some kind of solution. Then I might relax...
October 24, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Thank you! I've been on the phone to them this morning, the member of staff was lovely, but they say they'll be in touch later - hopefully with some kind of solution. Then I might relax...
Yes, but you'd think the promotional image would have some colour, especially if they've already put the logo on!
October 22, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Yes, but you'd think the promotional image would have some colour, especially if they've already put the logo on!
Great news, but what is about everything being grey nowadays?
October 22, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Great news, but what is about everything being grey nowadays?
Looks like I missed out this year!
September 8, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Looks like I missed out this year!