Ludwigslust, Stendal, Halle (Saale), Naumburg, Erfurt

Day 4 of my trip starts in Schwerin and I'm continuing my journey south.

 Schwerin station in the morning

Reichsbahndirektion Schwerin

My first train today is RE2 service operated by ODEG (Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn) and it is a Stadler Kiss double deck EMU

The train set has four coaches, where one has 1st class compartment on the second floor.

Sülstorf

I'm first taking the railway between Wismar and Ludwigslust which opened in 1848 by Mecklenburg Railway company

Rastow

Lüblow

Just before Ludwigslust the railway is connected with the one between Berlin and Hamburg

Multi purpose area

I've arrived to Ludwigslust where I make a short stop. The RE2 line is continuing to Berlin

Ludwigslust station opened in 1846

I have some time before my next train so I'm visiting the Palace of Ludwigslust

On my way to the park and the palace

From Wikipedia: "Schloss Ludwigslust, a Baroque residential palace built in 1772-1776, after plans by Johann Joachim Busch. It is called as the "Little Versailles of Mecklenburg". The palace is located in the middle of the palace garden (Schlosspark), a vast park (120 ha.), created in English style, with canals, fountains and artificial cascades."

Beautiful Schloss park, with few tourists

From Wikipedia: "Ludwigslust Palace was built as a hunting lodge, rebuilt as a luxurious retreat from the ducal capital, Schwerin, then became for a time (1765–1837) the center of government. It was the "joy" of Prince Christian Ludwig, the heir of the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, hence the name Ludwigslust."

Cascade

I'm returning back to the station

186 432 Traxx F140 MS from Railpool

The freight trains stops here to let the faster ICE train pass

ICE-T

Another Stadler Kiss

185 598 Traxx F140 AC2 from ITL - Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH and with Captrain livery

DB Class 155 from 1976

My next train is this Eurocity train from Kiel to Prague, EC 379 Porta Bohemica

193 292 Vectron MS is hired from ELL by ČD since 2017

With the new locomotive there is no need for change the locomotives between Germany and Czech Republic, this gives a reduced journey with 20min.

Inside Apmz143/146 coach of České dráhy

WRmz815 restaurant coach

I get off at the next stop, which is Wittenberge station

Intercity train

Eurocity trains leaves for Prague

DB vehicle maintenance facility

Same 185 598 I saw earlier in Ludwigslust

I was planning to take another train to Stendal from here, but due to railway works the train was replaced by bus

Bridge over Elbe river

The bus stops at all train stations, here is Geestgottberg

East German architecture

Seehausen (Altmark)

Osterburg is where I change from bus to train

S1 line to Stendal

DB Class 425

Shortly before arriving to Stendal, the railway between Magdeburg and Wittenberge is connected with Berlin-Lehrte railway.

DB Class V100

I've arrived to Stendal, where I'm changing trains. From Stendal this S-Bahn train continues to Magdeburg, where I'm actually is going, but I will take a faster RE train instead (40min trip instead of 46min).

The first railway opened in Stendal in 1849, and the current station is from 1871

DB Class 642, Siemens Desiro Classic

DB Class 425

RE20 between Uelzen and Magdeburg will be my next train

Tangerhütte

Kalimandscharo waste dump

Angern-Rogätz

Magdeburg-Neustadt

RE20 at Magdeburg

182 101 ES 64 U2

Magdeburg

DB Class 1442, Bombardier Talent 2

Next is this Intercity train to Halle (Saale) hauled by this 146 553 Traxx P160 AC2

I'm now travelling on Magdeburg-Leipzig railway opened in 1840

Evangelical Rectory St. Jakob church in Köthen

Doppelstock Intercity train

I've arrived to Halle (Saale)

Halle is an 'island station', i.e. it is located between the main sets of tracks.

I'm not the only photographer here

MGT-K tram in Halle

MGT6D

Monument to George Frideric Handel

Marktplatz

Roter Turm (Red Tower) and Market Church of St. Mary (Marktkirche)

Leipziger Turm

Since the opening of the high speed line between Erfurt and Ebensfeld, the travel time from Berlin to Munich is now around 4h when travelling with ICE3 trains. Here is one stopping in Halle

My next train is this Class 9442 operated by Abellio

RE18 service between Halle and Saalfeld

Drinks and snacks service onboard

1st class compartment of the Talent2 (Class 9442)

I'm now travelling on Halle-Bebra railway, also named Thüringer Bahn. Here passing under Erfurt–Leipzig/Halle railway.

Merseburg

Großkorbetha

Weißenfels

Only single track operation due to railroad works

I've arrived to Naumburg where I'll make a short stop

187 155, Traxx F140 AC3

186 133, Traxx F140 MS from Alpha Trains Belgium, hired to Transchem Sp. z o.o.

185 383, Traxx F140 AC2

Naumburg station

Sculpture by Stefanie Weskott

Intercity train

Naumburg

Saaleck junction, where one part of the railway continues to Jena

Apolda

Passing on top of viadukt Apolda

Railway museum in Weimar

Another short stop, this time in Weimar

Weimar station

DB Class 612 as RE3 between Gera and Erfurt

I've now reached Erfurt, where I'll stay in the hotel to the left

ICE trains between Berlin and Munich are passing by Erfurt

ICE1

I'm taking not last round trip from Erfurt to the next stop Bischleben to view the new high speed line. I'm taking this Stadler Regio Shuttle train.

Erfurt-Bischleben

Erfurt-Eisenach section is upgraded with ETCS Level 2

From the station there is a short walk to a hill from where I can view the new Nuremberg-Erfurt high speed line, which opened in December 2017.

Messe Erfurt can be seen from here

The line is 190km long and the operation speed is 300km/h

Here is the entrance to Augustaburg tunnel (1404 m)

ICE-T train

ICE1

Restaurant coach of ICE1 train

Travelling back to Erfurt

Krämerbrücke

Allerheiligenkirche

Erfurter Dom

Zitadelle Petersberg