There seem to be different levels of ICE 1 renovations.* This unit still has the windows in the bathrooms.

* This particular renovation got the very German term Lebensdauerverlängerung or life span extension.

Next I shall attempt a bit of S-Bahn castling. The northbound regional trains are only starting in Pinneberg today, so I have to get there by S-Bahn. The suggested connection is to first take an S5 to Eidelstedt and then an S3 from there resulting in a four minute connection in Pinneberg. But all the S3s are running a couple minutes late, so this probably isn’t going to work.

But I can the Eurocity to Denmark at Neumünster with the following regional, do it is worth a shot.

Nope. This S3 is ten minutes late and will miss the train. The previous one was only six minutes late and I missed it. Right back to central station and unto the cursed Eurocity.

That train leaves in over an hour, so considering the lovely sunny weather I’ve decided to do the sensible thing and walk from Sternschanze down to Jungfernstieg.

Why Landungsbrücken, you ask? Well:

Oh, good. The Eurocity is arriving from Copenhagen two hours late, currently expected to arrive at the same minute as it is due to depart. I have a ten minute transfer in Kolding.

Why does the only train connection between central and northern Europe have to suck so much?

Here it is, coming in from Rothenburgsort which means we’re going to go via the goods avoiding line. At least something good.

Trouble is, the avoiding line is partially single track and currently the only electrified line north. So we’ve been waiting somewhere (Abzw Horn) to let none other than the next southbound Copenhagen Eurocity pass.

Researches pubs in Kolding …

The highlight of this bit of railway is the bridge over the Kiel Canal in Rendsburg providing 42 metre clearance for passing ships.

In order to squeeze the bridge into the existing railway with the station of Rendsburg very close to the canal, they had the build the northern ramp as a 270 degree loop. So get to see the bridge from below as well.

At Kolding: “The Eurocity train to Hamburg at 6:15 has been cancelled. Instead you will have to take a bus.” It could all be worse.

Went to the Jernbanecafèen (i.e., the Railway Cafe) but then saw through the window that they were smoking inside.

What’s wrong with you, Denmark?

Final train of the day. Did DSB get rid of the terrible Ansaldo Breda trains?

Listening to this Danish IC3 diesel train depart – it also really is only a glorified bendy bus, albeit with really nice interior.

Here we are. Enough for the day.

Good morning from Aalborg. I think the station is this way?

Apparently, performing artists visiting Aalborg are invited to plant a tree.

(A family was visiting the park and their two kids – obviously – were running around pushing all the buttons, leading to quite the eclectic mix.)

But first: a man on a horse.

Paging Matt Parker …