A German classic at Bozen / Belzano, 5th June 2026

 

It just came trundling along into Bozen / Belzano while I was minding other business. A DB V100 diesel hydraulic, now numbered 270 208-8 but historically V100 1346 (Jung 13473, delivered 18th November 1962).

On DB this loco became 211 346-2 in 1968, and was retired in 1988. In 1991 it was registered to work in Switzerland. Then in 2009 it was sold to Ing. De Aloe Costruzioni Srl, Brescia, and it appears to work between Bozen / Bolzano and Brenner.

As built, this may have been powered by several engine types, one of which was the Maybach MD650, which was that used in the BR Warship class. 

Italian High Speed Trains at Bolzano, 4th - 6th June 2026

 

414 110 arriving at Bolzano, 4th June. The 3000V dc only Class 414s have been converted to work with ordinary coaches after the ETR500 trains needed to be able to run at multi-voltage on high speed lines.

414 134 at the other end of the train.

Frecciarossa 1000 ETR1000 039 arriving to terminate at Bolzano.

'Italo' AGV575 016 of open access operator NTV followed soon afterwards.

414 128 after arrival on Friday 5th.

414 105 at the other end of the train.

Frecciarossa 1000 ETR1000 014, approaching on the 5th.

414 119 upon arrival on 6th.

ÖBB Railjet services, June 2026

Railjet services, operated by ÖBB in conjunction with DB. The Class 1116 'Taurus' locomotives can operate at 15kV and 25KV, but the 1216 variant is needed for operation into Italy, at 3000V dc. The more recent 'Vectron' Class 1293 can also operate these services.

My own journey was from München Ost through Austria and over the Brenner Pass to Bozen / Belzano in Sud-Tirol, under Italian administration. The return Railjet segment was from Bozen / Belzano to Innsbruck. All ticketing was from the DB website, with barcode tickets carried on the DB Navigator app.

 
1116 204 at München Ost, 3rd June.


1216 006, also at München Ost, 3rd June, in a special scheme for 66 years of Roco model railways. This locomotive can be tracked at the ÖBB website.


1116 209 at München Ost, 3rd June.


1216 024 at Bozen / Belzano, 4th June.


Vectron 1293 047 at Bozen / Belzano, 4th June.

Coaching stock 8091.908 with Vectron cab.


The other side of 1216 006, at Bozen / Bolzano, 5th June.


While timetabled as a Railjet, this train arrived with more ordinary stock, including some 'Nightjet' coaches. 1216 012 arriving at Bozen / Bolzano, 5th June.


My train from Bozen / Bolzano to Innsbruck on 6th was delayed by 45 minutes, and arrived with 1216 012 on top of 1293 047, the latter being kaput, and seen here being removed at Innsbruck.

8091.907 at the trailer end of another 'Railjet' at Innsbruck, 6th June.

1116 243 at Innsbruck on 7th June, running as a coupled pair of 'Railjet' sets to Munch.

Italian interlude, 15th and 17th October 2023

 

Belgirate is a more minor station on the Milan - Domodossola (onward to Simplon) route. Hitachi 'Caravaggio' ETR521 S1-025, operated by Trenord, makes a stop while heading south to Milan, 15th October.

ETR521 S1-001 arrives with a train heading towards Stresa, the next station, where rail replacement buses were awaiting.

ETR521 S1-021 was in the station at Stresa.

Tuesday 17th October, Stresa to Milano Centrale. This Trenord MDVC driving trailer arrived at Stresa,  heading in the direction of Domodossola.


Power was provided by E464 288.


Seen upon arrival at Milan, ETR 521 S1-033 was new on 14th June 2023.

Stadler FLIRT ETR524 308 of Swiss operator Tilo, heading to Locarno. The train was completed in 2019.

Alstom AGV575 022 "Italo", of open-access operator NTV, alongside a FS ETR500 "Frecciarossa".


Milano Centrale (Ulisse Stacchini, completed 1931) is the largest station in Europe by volume.