The Schweizer Deutsch Hotspots Tour

By whatever route you choose to join the tour, our hotel at Mannheim will be the meeting point. We hope that you will not be too fatigued by your travels today as we take the opportunity to visit both Bw. Mannheim and Bw Ludwigshafen late afternoon and/or early evening. How many locomotives will be found on the former? It will certainly be in excess of three figures. Need a rest already? You’ll certainly get it at the InterCity Hotel, Mannheim, our ‘home’ for the next two nights and situated next to the Hauptbahnhof.

Refreshed by a good night’s sleep and hearty breakfast you will, no doubt, be straight onto the platform ready for the first of our morning ‘peaks.’ The tram enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that there is a position on the station from where both trains and trams can be observed. It is possible that nothing will persuade you to leave your vantage point. However, there is an alternative that might just ‘tear’ you away for two or three hours. Karlsruhe and Offenburg Hbfs (although to be passed tomorrow) can be explored today, particularly as Bw Offenburg and the yards cannot be viewed when passing! Also being the junction of two main lines, it is also a good location to spend time. You may have other preferences of your own but do try to be back for the evening ‘peak.’

After the morning ‘rush hour’ it is time to move on to Freiburg. You will have the choice of completing the journey direct or ‘hop on / hop off’ as to your preference. Perhaps a day at Offenburg if you did not cover it yesterday. Our hotel, the InterCity Hotel, Freiburg, is part of the Hauptbahnhof, and where we spend the next two nights. Another evening ‘rush hour to cover and more good news for the tram people. From either the railway platforms or the elevated tram stop, both trains and trams can be monitored..

After the morning ‘peak’ has passed you can either take up your observation position or perhaps a visit to Bw Freiburg may well be to your liking. Afterwards you may consider a run down to Basel Bad Bahnhof where spending a little time observing activity should not disappoint. Perhaps also a visit to Bw Haltingen or a view as you pass. However, it’s an option you may wish to turn down if you have other ideas, mindful that we do pass this area tomorrow.

After consuming breakfast and observing the morning ‘peak’ we board our train for Basel, Once there we visit left luggage in order to lighten our load when we visit Basel Wolf Depot. Following on, we will spend extended time observing the movements on and off Muttenz Yard. When we can resist the urge no longer, we will leave for the very short journey to Olten making sure we are there for the evening ‘rush hour’. Having said that, there is an opinion amongst many that traffic through the station never slows down! Anyway, this will be our home for the next two days. Once more we have secured our preferred hotel, the Amaris Hotel Olten. Many of the rooms have windows overlooking the lines into the station and we will be allocated those rooms. Three photos revolving at the top of this post were taken from a window of our Olten Hotel. Very convenient when the rain is falling! However, the rooms are limited by number and, as such, will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. You are advised to book early to stand a reasonable chance of securing such a room.

Here you are at an enthusiast’s ‘Mecca’ for the entire day, but you may consider taking a stroll down to Olten Depot and the surrounding yards and sidings.

It will have been a short (but we hope sweet) visit, but today we must return. We have chosen a midday departure in order to maximise the stay and will be back in Freiburg by late afternoon. You may wish to vary the timing of your return to suit your own agenda. Our final night is spent back at the InterCity Hotel, Freiburg.

Dispersal