Aachen West, Montzen Depot, Moresnet Viaduct 2007

[AndreiTupolev]

Is that an ex BAOR hospital train? How long's that been stored there, since the end of the Cold War?

[gordon1066thomas957]

Yes, that was part of a BAOR hospital train seen in

the vast area within Montzen Depot at the end of April 2007. Presumably it may still be standing there today. That "unofficial" depot visit was no problem and was greeted by a friendly "bon jour"

with an inward fear of being issued a good telling off which was not the case so a fine afternoon was enjoyed in hot dry windy weather and a long walk from one end of the depot to the other prior to filming traffic crossing the Moresent Viaduct.

[gordon1066thomas957]

PS. The ex BAOR hospital train must have been

languishing in Montzen Gare Depot since the end of the Cold War. With a little luck a preservation

society may hopefully pick up on this interesting

piece of history. It may not be a bad idea for the thing to go to the Nene Valley Railway or, now you have made me aware by your question, let the NRM in York know...

Many thanks for all your interest.

[kiendl]

The Gemmenich tunnel between Aachen and Belgium has meanwhile been electrified using the German 15 kV AC system. There is a rolling crossover to the Belgian 3 kV DC system on the Moresnet bridge. Previously, electrification ended shortly after the German entrance to the tunnel and was only used by electric locos banking the heaviest trains from behind. These electrics just stopped when the train crested the hill and rolled back to Aachen West.

[DLoc567]

I filmed that train too on the bridge of Moresnet at 6:38. Great video!