Notes

Here the entire “RAILab” train or whatever it is called together, consisting of three either purpose-built or former Intercity carriages, one of which has a pantograph for measuring stuff, and one of which is a cab car. All parts of the train have a top speed of 200 kph (125 mph), so fast measurements in both directions are no problem at all.

Now, the interesting question of course is: What does this train want in Aachen West? The most interesting thing to measure is the newly electrified Montzenroute, which will start electric operation pretty soon now, removing the need for traction changes to diesel in Aachen West and Montzen. The problem is that the class 120 which is in front of this train isn’t capable of operating under belgian 3 kV DC, which is used on the (obviously belgian) half of the line…

Two additional details. First, you can see that there are large spotlights illuminating the locomotive’s pantograph, making it clear that indeed, measuring something related to catenary is the goal of the enterprise. Second, I’ve thrown in a random 140, for the fans of DB standard electric locomotives…