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Braid in trains :lesbian_uz: - solidarity with :streik:

Day four slowly comes to an end : The Elron train brought me to Narva at the Russian border. The Estonian officials were quite fast but yet strict at the border check : even my remaining 20 EUR bill was not permitted.

Walking over the snowy border bridge decorated by NATO fence and tank blockers was quite a weird feeling.

The border is closed for vehicles, officialy due to construction work at the bridge - which has never been carried out. The railway crossing also is no longer in use since the trains from Moscow to Tallinn are paused since the beginning of the COVID pandemic and obviously there is no political willing to reopen it any time soon. So for now, only pedestrians are allowed to cross the border.

#FOSSRail #CrossBorderRail

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A snowy, unused road surrounded by a high fence. There are huge signs navigating cars to the border check lanes.

Sunset sky above snowy railway tracks in a small station.

People leaving the orange Elron FLIRT in Narva.

The Narva fortress tower above the border crossing.

Braid in trains :lesbian_uz: - solidarity with :streik:

@lewd@zug.network replied · 2 days ago

Walking over the snowy border bridge decorated by NATO fence and tank blockers was quite a weird feeling.

#FOSSRail #CrossBorderRail

4 media

Braid in trains :lesbian_uz: - solidarity with :streik:

@lewd@zug.network replied · 2 days ago

It's -21 °C right now 😵‍💫.

#FOSSRail

Braid in trains :lesbian_uz: - solidarity with :streik:

@lewd@zug.network replied · 2 days ago

Good morning !

The night was short but I finally arrived in Russia and made my way to St. Petersburg. I got all my connecting tickets and I'm looking forwards to spending the rest of the day in a comfortable wagon-lits compartment sleeping my way to the Kazakh border.

At this point, the mandatory reminder : Do not travel to Russia as a European citizen. We are in a difficult political conflict. Border and diplomatic regulations can suddenly change at any time, it's therefore not safe and reliable to travel between Europe and Russia these days.

Also a brief reminder : This is a publicly visible thread and I'll therefore limit my contributions to railway postings rather than writing any other content related to the current situation.

I hope despite the situation you will enjoy my travel report 🌈 !

#FOSSRail #TeamNightTrain

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An RZhD paper ticket with a reservation fot a night train running two days from Sankt Petersburg to Cheliybinck.

An RZhD mainline train waiting in Sankt Petersburg for its departure.

Pixilated picture of Petersburg Moskovskiy at night.

The huge departure hall of Sankt Petersburg with passengers and shops.

Braid in trains :lesbian_uz: - solidarity with :streik:

@lewd@zug.network replied · 2 days ago

Whereas the "Aurora" did not happen for this year, the still operate their 743У "Аврора" running from St. Petersburg to Moscow as a daytime inter-city train - in good Soviet manner featuring 1st class sleeper compartments for sure.

I'm taking this train for two hours to Bologoe-Moskolkoe where I'm going to catch my long distance sleeper to the Kazakh border - further away from scary western Russia.

Surprise to my vegan soul : The menu of the first class catering includes an entire page dedicated to plant-based food and I'm looking forwards to some dinner in a moment.

#FOSSRail #TeamNightTrain

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A Sapsan high-speed train on the opposite track.

An RZD TEME3 locomotive at the end of the double decker Aurora train in Sankt Petersburg.

A double decker RZD carriage with level boarding in a cold station.

Beautiful painting and lights in the main hall of St. Petersburg Moscow station.

Braid in trains :lesbian_uz: - solidarity with :streik:

@lewd@zug.network replied · 2 days ago

Enjoying dinner in the @diningcar service onboard of the 743У "Аврора" inter-city service on my way from Sankt Petersburg to Bologoe during my #FOSSRail trip from Brussels to Bangkok.

The three course menu includes some fresh salad with grilled vegetables, a tasty bulgur dish and some fruit pastry, served along with juice, tea, fruits and snacks.

While enjoying the tasty dinner, winter landscapes of Leningrad Oblast are passing by at -20 °C.

Stay safe, warm and take care ✊🏽🌈 !

#FOSSRail #TeamNightTrain #SleeperAndEater

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A table in a first class compartment covered with plates of the three course menu described above.

A blue teapot in the Aurora colors along with a matching cup framed with golden decoration.

A fruit plate, a bottle of water and some snacks standing next to the window of a train.

Sunset above a winter landscape with trees.

Braid in trains :lesbian_uz: - solidarity with :streik:

@lewd@zug.network replied · 2 days ago

Second sleeper train of my trip completed on day five. Now waiting for 15 minutes for my connecting train from Bologoe to Chelyibinsk. I booked a comfortable sleeper compartmznt for the 32 hours trip over two nights.

The Аврора service was definitely a luxury experience, the staff was very helpful with my spontaneous reschedule and helped me with everything despite no common language.

The railway station in Bologoe has a weird layout : The station building is located in the middle of a field of tracks, there are two main tracks where most trains depart and the other platforms are scrambled over the area. Access via a tunnel only.

I'm looking forwards for a comfy sleeper and finally some time to rest without any hurry for two days.

#FOSSRail #TeamNightTrain

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Elextric locomotive of the Aurora in front of double decker carriages.

The Aurora standing at the station building with barriers guiding the passengers.

An old steam locomotive exposed on the main platform.

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