iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 22h

4hrs and 45 minutes later than planned I have arrived in Dresden. And some clown decides that they want to walk into the back of me when changing trains, nearly knocking me over. I’m done.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 16/10/2026

Oh well. The fact that the track access charges are to rise following a successful challenge by some rail operators means that regional trains are being cut. There could be further cuts, including the RB71 (in its entirety). An insight into German transport policy folks.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 16/10/2026

Well we got back to the station. Some people left on buses towards Leipzig, but I’ve just decided to hang around for a bit here. The weather is nice and dry after all. Needless to say it has been a débâcle. My afternoon plan of a trip on the narrow gauge railway in Dresden is cancelled.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 16/10/2026

Well the 10 minute delay meant that the RegionalExpress from Hoyerswerda went out in front of my train. That train stops everywhere to Ruhland: we don’t. I plan to board that train in Ruhland: our train has an emergency brake application shortly after leaving Hoyerswerda. Typisch Bahn.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 16/10/2026

The guy in the restaurant car was pretty chuffed that I gave him 3 Złoty as a tip. Besides it saved him rummaging for change and I don’t need the coins: will be back in the Eurozone in a few hours anyway.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

Was going to get an ice cream for a pudding, but having tried again for the miniature railway and finding out that the season is over (as the picture advises) I went to the local shopping centre for a Japanese cheesecake. It was very nice.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

Having taken a few photos for work at the station, I’ve gone to the shopping centre which is over part of the station for some dinner. They have a Marché restaurant where you help yourself to the offer and the price is reckoned by weight. So I had a bit of a mix and match; was very nice.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

Poznan Głowny is an absolute disaster of a railway station. If you get lost in Birmingham New Street, then you’ll absolutely hate it here. But I know how to get to my train in the morning. Honestly hope that Wrocław Głowny is better!

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 15/10/2026

Let’s see what Thursday has tomorrow offer with #ToHELAndBack eh? Not going too far today thankfully. I’ve been to see if the miniature railway in the park is running and it doesn’t seem to be. Walked into the city to look like a tourist

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

I’ve had to resort to putting the volume up on my noose-cancelling headphones because of GOBSHITE POLISH MEN SHOUTING.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Quick change of train and we’re off again towards Poland on a PKP Intercity train. Decided that the train was quiet enough to grab some dinner in the WARS restaurant car so I went for something traditional and had pierogi. Lovely!

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

And it is goodbye to Vilnius: the 10hr 48 journey commences punctually at 12:30. The next stop is Kaunas!

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Today’s journey is a long one for #ToHELAndBack - and crosses a timezone as well! I’m leaving Lithuania for Poland, with a (technical) change in Mockava and in Warsaw. Thankfully it isn’t as early as start today so I can have a cinnamon roll and iced latte before heading to the station! 🥳

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Coffee and cake 165m in the air is certainly an experience. The Vilnius TV Tower is certainly quiet at 15:30 on a Tuesday!

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Yep… I only get up early on my terms and if there is no alternative. Friday is the earliest start since leaving the UK:

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Die Oldie Antenne “Disco Fever” channel providing some amazing tunes for the journey! Can’t beat listening to a German radio channel travelling from Latvia to Lithuania… Cross-border joy

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Was so oblivious that I didn’t even hear the bus sneak up behind me… Anyway: the Scania Irizar coach has a Business Class area at the back (2+1 seating) & regular seating is at the front. Has a leg rest & a bit more space. Usual mod cons: All seats have a screen, plus USB A & C sockets & WiFi.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

#ToHELAndBack continues today with… a bus. More specifically the Lux Express Premium coach service. Leaving Rīga at 09:30, we’ll arrive in Vilnius at 13:40. Had I caught a train, I’d have left Rīga at 16:55 and got there at 21:01… Too late and a similar journey time.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Yeah, the schedule is padded for engineering works so the change in Valga was no stress. Now on the Lithuanian train from Estonia’s border to the Latvian capital!

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

There’s some delays due to ongoing construction work/defective level crossings but there seems to be an allowance in the timetable for that. I would assume that the Rīga train would wait at Valga for us anyway. I have snacks and my tablet to keep me occupied for a while!

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Anyway #ToHELAndBack continues with our first long-distance journey by train. Mainly because you have to head east before going south in Estonia: a situation rectified by Rail Baltica which is well under construction. The Elron trains are nice and comfortable, with plenty of seats available 👍🏼

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Announcements are simple: train to x departs in 5 or 2 minutes, and done in 🇪🇪 and 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 All the trains are currently the same type: Stadler FLIRT. There’s two variants though, but the only difference is that electric trains have no First Class. Diesel trains have a small First Class section.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Elron does what the trams don’t seem to do well in Tallinn: information screens with text which is nice and big! The whole day’s worth of departures is listed, rather than just those departing immediately.

A customer information screen located at the end of track three at Tallinn’s main rail station. The information screen has each train alternately shaded with white text

A customer information screen showing a summary of departures located at Tallinn’s main rail station. The information screen has each train alternately shaded with white text

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

We start the week of #ToHELAndBack with rain… Lots of rain! But not to worry: we are well prepared and a bit of rain isn’t a problem. Today I’m leaving Tallinn and Estonia for the capital of Latvia 🇱🇻 There’s no direct train (yet) but a well-timed easy connection works well!

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The Estonian colleagues of the @uk.diplo.de have a wonderful embassy in Tallinn! A really lovely location in the Old Town 🥰

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Sometimes you just need to go somewhere different. And having had a good walk around the city, why not a tram ride? Not far from the end of the line at Kopli, there is a lovely viewpoint looking towards Finland across the Baltic Sea. A truly lovely day to sit, relax and enjoy the fresh air and view

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Updates have been a bit slow, given I’ve spent most of my time in Helsinki (as well as yesterday in Tallinn) in bed! Today I feel so much better, if not a bit dizzy having not eaten since Friday. #ToHELAndBack continues with a lovely sunny morning here in Tallinn. Really enjoying the city 🥰

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Place your bets on this train no longer being formed of this type of rolling stock between now and tomorrow morning… Said the same last night & this morning: a two carriage train 😬

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Sending a thank you card to start off my Wednesday 🥰

I WANTED TO SEND YOU A MESSASE OF Appreciation AND Thanks regarding the MEDICAL FORM THAT THE DVLA
REQUIRED YOU TO Fill In FOR ME. YOUR HELP (As WELL AS CATH WHO YOU WAS MY Email Contact!) MEANS I NOW HAVE A Concessionary BUS PASS AND THAT REALLY HELPS WITH KEEPINg MOBILE!
Wishing you ALL THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE!

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Central London and Vodafone… Need I say more? 😂

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

“Suppose, a mile above the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral in London on a clear morning a single one megaton weapon explodes…” QED, 1982 Not this morning. It’s a nice day to sit and eat my dinner.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

You do see some different things whilst waiting for your Up train to London. An empty stock Chiltern train off to Arriva Traincare (presumably for refurbishment) and a Lumo train to Motherwell!

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Honestly, I do not know what I’d do without the lovely people in the Fediverse community. Me: Shit, my route from Poznań to Dresden involves two rail replacement buses! Fedi: How about the EuroCity Wrocław Leipzig and change en route? Me: Result! And it avoids Berlin too 🥳

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Discount on fuel for drivers… Deutschlandticket: price rise from January

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It’s a good way of confusing the hell out of people, that’s for sure. Saw some at Hastings last week! About time the whole concept was dropped…

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It'd be quicker by train... Especially with a delayed departure like this! 😬

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It seems that one of the [very few] good things about the summer we've just had: up to the 27th Sept, Germany produced 90.2TWh of electric by solar... In 2025 a total of 90TWh was produced. Lots of sunshine + more solar arrays 🥰

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Various different things happening in Crewe today as the town holds a Comic Con event!

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

It’s now official. I am legally no longer allowed to drive… This despite having never done so 😂 But it’s the end of a process. One which was necessary to do in order to open up opportunities to access things such as applying for a Disabled Person’s Railcard.

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

From last night at Crewe, but what does SOWC mean when interposed in one of the signal berths? In a signal box, you can tell where a train is because it has activated the “track circuit” - in Crewe’s case by the steel wheels causing a circuit through the rail, which has current running through it

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Kilometer780 (aka mattingham) @kilometer780.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The Southeaster Highspeed service this morning however…

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