This day explored two different DE-CZ border crossings.

The line Cranzahl (DE) – Vejprty (CZ) – Chomutov (CZ) has 3 trains a day each way, only on Saturdays – so this is a cross border line with the most minimal service possible. The aim was to examine it, to assess whether upping the frequency is either desirable or achievable. The return to Germany was from Karlovy Vary (CZ) via Nejdek (CZ) to Johanngeorgenstadt (DE) and Zwickau (DE). Despite the difficult topography here, this line normally has a more regular service (a reasonable regional service) – every two hours – and runs daily. You can also see that the infrastructure is better and line speeds higher.

The route incorporated an hour on a steam train hauled service on the Fichtelbergbahn between Cranzahl and Hammerunterwiesenthal

Day / Date Tuesday 16 August
Departure and End Berlin
End Kraslice-Karlovy Vary-Johanngeorgenstadt
Trains 8
Rail km 688
Rail replacement buses 1
Rail km 688
Bike legs 2
Bike km 38.7 (inc. to/from Berlin Hbf)
Borders crossed DE-CZ – Hammerunterwiesenthal
CZ-DE – Potůčky-Johanngeorgenstadt
Events No formal events planned – Martin Speer came along for the day.

Data here is indicative. The Google Sheet for the trip is the always-updated definitive version.

The map below is an image of the route for this day. You can alternatively see access whole route with more controls on umap here.

Day 1 Map