As indicated, I'll post a follow-up on what's still in construction around Europe on Wednesday or Thursday.

Some time next year, I shall look beyond Europe, too: that is, China, the high-speed system of which deserves a diary of its own.

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

Yesterday, 250 km/h traffic officially started in another country: Russia. The Sapsan high-speed trains (Siemens Velaro RUS, a descendant of the German ICE3) now run along the upgraded Moscow-St. Petersburg mainline. However, I don't know any details: e.g. which parts of the line are fit for the new top speed, how much of that the trains are actually scheduled run at top speed, and how they dealt with any technical issues (signalling, tolerances, maintenance) that might throw a hammer in the works.

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}