Orient Express Country
Trip Start
Dec 16, 2007
1
28
42
Trip End
Feb 24, 2008
Graz,
Austria
Friday, January 25, 2008
Our plan for the day was to get our breakfast onboard this first train but to our surprise this InterCity service was only 3 cars long and thus did not have any food service whatsoever. With 10 to 15 minutes left until the train's departure we left our cases and quickly went onto the platform to a nearby kiosk, returning 5 minutes later with drinks and pastries for breakfast. We need not have rushed for our food as the train was delayed about 5 minutes, after which time we made good progress toward the Austrian border
Enjoying the Ride
.As we travelled through wide mountain valleys, past lakes and through tunnels the scenery slowly became more snowy and mountainous. At the border town of Buchs the train reversed direction, for the last 15 minutes into the terminus at Feldkirch. Of note was an SNCF Fret engine sitting in the yard at Buchs. Very far from home!
Originally we had an 8 minute change to the EuroCity train at Feldkirch but our train from Zurich arrived in late so we only had about 4 minutes to change. Thankfully the train staff were aware that many passengers were making the change and our train pulled up across the platform from the connecting service. The EuroCity was to be our 2nd and final train for the day, running us all the way through to Graz from Feldkirch, even though the service originated a little further away at Bregenz. I was surprised to see that there were a few empty car wagons on the back of our this service, which stayed attached for the entirety of the trip.
There was a lady occupying our seats with her body and bags when we boarded although she got the idea to be more space-efficient when we rocked up. Thankfully we only had to share with her for a few hours as she disembarked at Innsbruck
Great Valley Scenes
.The train climbed up the valley, further into snowy areas as we headed to Innsbruck, from where we descended again through the steep mountain valley once again. Part of the route is in Microsoft Train Simulator as it was near the turn of the last century. It seems the route has changed little, except for a few new tunnels here an there. The train travels slowly as it winds along the valley ridges but the trip is very scenic.
As we continued through Austria we ascended again, passing through very thick snow that was still being ploughed away before descending again. At Zell am See the train was surrounded by hot air balloons flying around the lake, providing an even greater contrast to the scenery.
We eventually arrived into Graz almost 10 hours and 600km from Zurich. Our Graz hotel is right at the main station, although it took us a minute to figure out where on the platz it is because its outside sign is not illuminated. The quality of and furnishings in the room surprised us for the price but this trendiness comes at a cost: a window in the shower looking over the beds. With no curtain to draw this arrangement could've been awkward but we've managed to figure out a way around the issue. Did I mention that this hotel has free internet as well?
Dinner accompanied a little explore of the station and surrounding area, which seems nice enough with views down toward the innere stadt. We have 2 days to explore Graz and we shall start with earnest tomorrow.
