Steroumel
@steroumel.bsky.social
I like trains 🚂
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There’s a new project from HT to lightly refurbish, more like heavy service the 460 Desiro EMUs. 14/20 are in working condition (ATH Suburban) and the rest are in various states, mainly from level crossings crashes. Notably one is out due to a truck literally landing on it (while moving), not at LC.
December 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
There’s a new project from HT to lightly refurbish, more like heavy service the 460 Desiro EMUs. 14/20 are in working condition (ATH Suburban) and the rest are in various states, mainly from level crossings crashes. Notably one is out due to a truck literally landing on it (while moving), not at LC.
But let’s look on the bright side, we’re getting new trains (hopefully). They should not replace the existing ones, just complement them. This way service will be able to improve for many lines, not just the ones getting the new trains.
December 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
But let’s look on the bright side, we’re getting new trains (hopefully). They should not replace the existing ones, just complement them. This way service will be able to improve for many lines, not just the ones getting the new trains.
It’s really important though to also get some track work done. The westward line from Athens to Korinthos (- Patras) has a capacity of 1 tphpd, due to damaged and never used safety systems. That is the second most important line in GR, and most of the new trains will run there. 88 km of blind track.
December 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
It’s really important though to also get some track work done. The westward line from Athens to Korinthos (- Patras) has a capacity of 1 tphpd, due to damaged and never used safety systems. That is the second most important line in GR, and most of the new trains will run there. 88 km of blind track.
So the suburban trains got cut to 11 and the ICs almost doubled. I don’t really like that, they really need more suburban trains. Even 15 weren’t enough, 11 are less than the ones already operating in ATH.
December 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
So the suburban trains got cut to 11 and the ICs almost doubled. I don’t really like that, they really need more suburban trains. Even 15 weren’t enough, 11 are less than the ones already operating in ATH.
Right, and the 11th gen stock (then brand new) proved to be one of the most unreliable trains in Greece. Doors opening on the move etc. 🥲
Things have changed since then, not to the very best of the system‘s abilities.
Things have changed since then, not to the very best of the system‘s abilities.
December 13, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Right, and the 11th gen stock (then brand new) proved to be one of the most unreliable trains in Greece. Doors opening on the move etc. 🥲
Things have changed since then, not to the very best of the system‘s abilities.
Things have changed since then, not to the very best of the system‘s abilities.
This line was the peak urban transit experience just before the Olympic Games of 2004. Infra upgrades, mostly single line, extremely high frequency reaching triple of today’s and all of that with temp signalling that often moved due to finished and new construction. @alkinooskanaris.bsky.social
December 13, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This line was the peak urban transit experience just before the Olympic Games of 2004. Infra upgrades, mostly single line, extremely high frequency reaching triple of today’s and all of that with temp signalling that often moved due to finished and new construction. @alkinooskanaris.bsky.social
Yeah, a car got Shrekified in Spain (CAF) and now it‘s brought back to GR (Volos, ex Kioleidis wagon factory). There hasn’t been any progress. These are very old sets and the money could be better spent on new trains. Athens‘ transportation needs lots of new trains, this was never a solution :/
December 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Yeah, a car got Shrekified in Spain (CAF) and now it‘s brought back to GR (Volos, ex Kioleidis wagon factory). There hasn’t been any progress. These are very old sets and the money could be better spent on new trains. Athens‘ transportation needs lots of new trains, this was never a solution :/
Out of the 7, some have been spotted at the Agios Ioannis Rentis Depot in Athens, exact coordinates of the track are (37.9601302, 23.6636177). Since the last spotting though I don’t know if there’s been any movement. Maybe I can take a look during the holidays.
December 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Out of the 7, some have been spotted at the Agios Ioannis Rentis Depot in Athens, exact coordinates of the track are (37.9601302, 23.6636177). Since the last spotting though I don’t know if there’s been any movement. Maybe I can take a look during the holidays.
The e-buses are very unreliable for now, summer heat and A/C is a big problem in Athens, charging infrastructure is underdeveloped (not only chargers but also delivery networks) and servicing is questionable. I really am not against e-buses, but I am really really against them replacing trolleys.
December 9, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The e-buses are very unreliable for now, summer heat and A/C is a big problem in Athens, charging infrastructure is underdeveloped (not only chargers but also delivery networks) and servicing is questionable. I really am not against e-buses, but I am really really against them replacing trolleys.
I really have a hard time believing the 5,5€/2,5€ cost thing. Are they really comparing 20-35 year old trolleys with 1,5 year old e-buses? Keep in mind that the e-buses replaced diesel-run lines, so now taking them off of these and running them on ex-electrified lines is reverting any change done.
December 9, 2025 at 12:48 PM
I really have a hard time believing the 5,5€/2,5€ cost thing. Are they really comparing 20-35 year old trolleys with 1,5 year old e-buses? Keep in mind that the e-buses replaced diesel-run lines, so now taking them off of these and running them on ex-electrified lines is reverting any change done.
It’s interesting to note that most of the network is core routes and small branches off them. The result of this will roughly leave the core routes without the branches. This means that (old trolley) now new e-bus lines will run under wires for 80% of their trip, just to stray off for the last mile.
December 9, 2025 at 12:48 PM
It’s interesting to note that most of the network is core routes and small branches off them. The result of this will roughly leave the core routes without the branches. This means that (old trolley) now new e-bus lines will run under wires for 80% of their trip, just to stray off for the last mile.
This topic begun being discussed less than 6 months ago. It begun as something pre-decided and not for conversation. The data presented by the officials were faulty at best and the damage being done is big. I wish the time do decide and build for transport infra was similar, but no, just destroy.
December 9, 2025 at 12:48 PM
This topic begun being discussed less than 6 months ago. It begun as something pre-decided and not for conversation. The data presented by the officials were faulty at best and the damage being done is big. I wish the time do decide and build for transport infra was similar, but no, just destroy.
See more of my thoughts here. My main problems are that this is worsening the chances of tram lines being built, and that batteries are just a thing that everyone likes to obsess about, without it being absolutely better in *every* situation. Like LLMs and similar bubbles.
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So now that it‘s official, I’ll share some thoughts about this decision (that I dislike).
With almost 400 km of lines, the Athens Trolleybus network is one of the largest worldwide.
Now, after recent developments in the ministry of transport, it looks like most - if not all - of the network will be scrapped in favour of battery electric buses.
Here is a relevant news article (in Greek)
Now, after recent developments in the ministry of transport, it looks like most - if not all - of the network will be scrapped in favour of battery electric buses.
Here is a relevant news article (in Greek)
December 1, 2025 at 4:16 PM
See more of my thoughts here. My main problems are that this is worsening the chances of tram lines being built, and that batteries are just a thing that everyone likes to obsess about, without it being absolutely better in *every* situation. Like LLMs and similar bubbles.
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bsky.app/profile/ster...
Don’t get me wrong, e-buses are better for the environment than diesel/biofuel/hydrogen/fart-propelled/horse-pulled buses, but oh my, trolleys are so much better.
Imagine carrying your fridge every day with you instead of having a constant supply of food everywhere you go 🥲
Imagine carrying your fridge every day with you instead of having a constant supply of food everywhere you go 🥲
December 1, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Don’t get me wrong, e-buses are better for the environment than diesel/biofuel/hydrogen/fart-propelled/horse-pulled buses, but oh my, trolleys are so much better.
Imagine carrying your fridge every day with you instead of having a constant supply of food everywhere you go 🥲
Imagine carrying your fridge every day with you instead of having a constant supply of food everywhere you go 🥲
Note that they’re not running e-buses on formerly diesel lines, oh no. They’re destroying the infrastructure (powerlines, transformers, networks) for trolleys and replacing them with heavy, explosive, costly-in-maintenance and bad-for-the-environment-after-EOL batteries. 🙃
December 1, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Note that they’re not running e-buses on formerly diesel lines, oh no. They’re destroying the infrastructure (powerlines, transformers, networks) for trolleys and replacing them with heavy, explosive, costly-in-maintenance and bad-for-the-environment-after-EOL batteries. 🙃
Greek transport in general is massively understaffed, and even those working there are qualified and working on (in my opinion) very secondary or even less important stuff. No priorities and full on marketing, wow-factor and ribbon cutting, without actual progress.
November 13, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Greek transport in general is massively understaffed, and even those working there are qualified and working on (in my opinion) very secondary or even less important stuff. No priorities and full on marketing, wow-factor and ribbon cutting, without actual progress.
I get what you’re saying, the thing here is that the capabilities aren’t the same but their salaries are (small margin). I see it more as a political issue, as the people directing pick what "today’s project" will be (and who will work on it), and not as a planing or "it is what it is" problem.
November 13, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I get what you’re saying, the thing here is that the capabilities aren’t the same but their salaries are (small margin). I see it more as a political issue, as the people directing pick what "today’s project" will be (and who will work on it), and not as a planing or "it is what it is" problem.
At the moment I don’t care about how much money is available, but what they do with it. I bet it would be cheaper to integrate full-live GTFS on the entire network (trains, trams, suburban rail, buses and trolleys) than this AI micromanagement on passengers (that will actually make commuting worse).
November 13, 2025 at 2:24 PM
At the moment I don’t care about how much money is available, but what they do with it. I bet it would be cheaper to integrate full-live GTFS on the entire network (trains, trams, suburban rail, buses and trolleys) than this AI micromanagement on passengers (that will actually make commuting worse).
Indeed they are so here too!
But working hours count the same, regardless of what they’re doing. And right now (and for the last 10 years at least) they’re using working hours on stupid stuff like this instead of making an actual plan of how to make commuting bearable, not making everyone drive.
But working hours count the same, regardless of what they’re doing. And right now (and for the last 10 years at least) they’re using working hours on stupid stuff like this instead of making an actual plan of how to make commuting bearable, not making everyone drive.
November 13, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Indeed they are so here too!
But working hours count the same, regardless of what they’re doing. And right now (and for the last 10 years at least) they’re using working hours on stupid stuff like this instead of making an actual plan of how to make commuting bearable, not making everyone drive.
But working hours count the same, regardless of what they’re doing. And right now (and for the last 10 years at least) they’re using working hours on stupid stuff like this instead of making an actual plan of how to make commuting bearable, not making everyone drive.
As you can guess, I’m not really a fan of ticket barriers, but I mainly don’t get the point of milking every last drop from public transport, when at the same time road users get to have free everything (almost). This is not normal.
End of rant.
End of rant.
November 13, 2025 at 9:12 AM
As you can guess, I’m not really a fan of ticket barriers, but I mainly don’t get the point of milking every last drop from public transport, when at the same time road users get to have free everything (almost). This is not normal.
End of rant.
End of rant.