Trains and other things: Ringsted, Næstved, Rødvig, Kalundborg

Today I'm exploring train network in Zealand (Sjælland) region of Denmark. I have decided to start/finish from Valby, a station located in Copenhagen and used both for local and long distance trains.

Here is a map of the region. Blue lines are the Regional trains in Sjælland, Red and Green are the long distance Intercity and "Lyntog" (Fast train). All other lines are the local ones.

Valby is one of the oldest stations in Denmark, first train to Roskilde went from here in 1847. Current station building was built at the same time as the Copenhagen Central, in 1911.

S-Tog (local commuter railway) has its stop here.

Bohrs tower in the background, new 100m tall building in Carlsberg Campus area.

From Valby, S-tog railway is split to the line for Frederikssund and Høje Taastrup.

IC4 train is for line to/from Kalundborg and Holbæk.

IC3 train is used for Intercity services and Regional trains to Aarhus, Esbjerg and Nykøbing Falster among others.

The train I'm taking is an IC3/IR4 to Odense and Esbjerg. Here, I'm passing by Roskilde.

I'm taking Vestbanen, main line from København to Kørsor.

It is important to get on the right coach when travelling in Denmark, this coach is only for Odense, while the others are for Esbjerg.

I'm getting off in Ringsted.

Current station building is from 1924.

IR4 regional train for service Østerport-Ringsted. This service stops at all stations (10 stops) and takes 59min, while the Intercity service is taking 52min for same route (6 stops). IR4 trains is an electric version of IC3 train, and it has 4 cars instead of 3.

IC4 train is heading for Copenhagen

Tunnel under the platforms

The line between Ringsted and Copenhagen is congested, a new railway line will open 2018, thus increasing the capacity for trains.

The line is also used by freight trains as part of the TEN-T network, here connecting Sweden and Germany.

Here is Krauss-Maffei EG 3100 locomotive (from Siemens Eurosprinter family).

My next train is also an IC3 heading for Nykøbing F. From Ringsted I'm now taking Sjællandske Midtbane railway.

Glumsø

Næestved is where I'm getting off.

Midtbanen is not electrified, however as the Fehmarn tunnel will be opened it is also planned to electrify this part by 2021.

DMU trains typ MR and MQ.

Pedestrian bridge over the railway

Næstved is called the unofficial capital for street art, and here is Næstved kunstby project.

Station

Besides regional train service Østerport-Nykøbing F, there is also an international ICE/EC service between Copenhagen and Hamburg. ICE is operated with BR605 (ICE-TD).

From December the ICE-TD trains will be gradually replaced by IC3 on this route.

My next train will be MR, which is a Danish version of German DB Class 628.

This one is a MRD from 1985.

Before departing, my train is waiting for arriving service from Nykøbing F.

Now it is time to leave. I'm taking railway Lille Syd between Næstved-Køge-Roskilde. The route between Næstved and Køge will be electrified, so that the trains from Copenhagen to Næstved will be using the new railway through Køge Nord instead of Ringsted. This route will also be one of the first upgraded to ERTMS Level 2, and will be completed 2018.

I have arrived to Køge, which is railway junction for S-tog and Regional/Local trains.

From Køge there are local train on Østbanen (routes Køge - Hårlev - Faxe Ladeplads /- Rødvig).

The line is operated with Lint 41 DMU's from 2009, by Regionstog A/S company.

S-tog end station was closed due to renovations.

New tracks

My next train will be to Rødvig

Vallø

Østbanen is a private railway built in 1879.

Grubberholm

Rødvig

It is the last stop of this line.

Rødvig station

Heading back to Køge

Vallø Castle

Vallø station

Some street art in Køge as well

I'm now continuing my journey with MR train to Roskilde.

I'm not the only one taking pictures of trains on this sunny day.

My next train is a Regional train to Kalundborg. It is a IC4

IC4 was originally meant to be used on long distance intercity services, but due to many problems with this train, it is now used for regional services in different parts of the country.

Inside IC4

Passing by Holbæk, one of major stops along Nordvestbanen railway.

The line is operated also with double-deck Twindexx coaches, operated since 2002.

IC4 train with 4 coaches has 204 seats while a double deck train set with 4 coaches (ABs, Bk, B, B) has places for 369 seats.

IC4 is manufactured by Ansaldobreda

Final stop for this train is Kalundborg.

Kalundborg is located on the west coast of Zealand.

Kalundborg station built in 1960.

Church of our Lady

Back to the train

IC4 has both place for bikes and a coffee machine

ME locomotive

IC2

I'm getting off in Holbæk

My train continues to Copenhagen.

Holbæk is a busy station, there are plans for electrification on whole route Roskilde-Kalundborg.

Local train for Nykøbing Sjælland, on private Odsherredsbanen railway, operated with Lint train here as well. Totally 4 lines are operated by Regionstog A/S.

DSB Class ME from 1981 manufactured by Henschel will be replaced by new electric locomotives in 2020.

Once this railway is electrified, and new locomotives are delivered, same double deck coaches can be used.

Holbæk fjord.

Sankt Nikolai Kirke

My next train for Roskilde

I'm in Roskilde

Lyntog is Danish version of Intercity Express, i.e. a train stopping only at major stops. The lines are Copenhagen-Frederikshavn, Copenhagen-Struer, Copenhagen-Thisted, Copenhagen-Esbjerg, Copenhagen-Sønderborg. Copenhagen to Fredericia is done with only two stops in Høje-Taastrup and Odense, compared to 10 stops for an Intercity service.

The route between Roskilde and Høje-Taastrup was upgraded in 1988 to four tracks

Most trains are direct between Roskilde and Høje Taastrup, while Regional service Østerport-Ringsted, stops here at Trekroner and Hedehusene stations.