Pictures taken by me while I had the good fortune of riding in the cab of a BR 643. The photos are of my trip from Kaiserslautern Hbf to Bingen (Rhein) Hbf. The train driver allowed me to take pictures along the route as well as pictures of the 643 contols. In many places the route was over a single track but at larger stations there were two and, sometimes, more tracks.

Starting out at Kaiserslautern Hbf.
Click on picture to return to description.

A passenger consist at the Kaiserslautern Hbf. Note the name of the lok, Luxemburg.
Click on picture to return to description.

Waiting for a green signal at Kaiserslautern Hbf.
Click on picture to return to description.

At Kaiserslautern Hbf.
Click on picture to return to description.

The trip to Bingen (Rhein) Hbf begins. A view of the BR 643 train driver from outside the cab. I was outside the cab so you see the warning signs on the glass partition. All of the pictures below were taken inside the cab with the train driver.
Click on picture to return to description.

A sculpture at the Alsenz station.
Click on picture to return to description.

Alsenz Hbf.
Click on picture to return to description.

The view of a straight track from inside the cab. All pictures below are from inside the cab.
Click on picture to return to description.

The controls of the BR 643.
Click on picture to return to description.

The controls of the BR 643.
Click on picture to return to description.

The train driver at the controls of the BR 643.
Click on picture to return to description.

About to round a curve.
Click on picture to return to description.

Crossing a bridge.
Click on picture to return to description.

Note the signal as we are about to pass a cross-over.
Click on picture to return to description.

Approaching Bad Munster am Stein Hbf.
Click on picture to return to description.

On Gleis 3 another BR 643 heading for Kaiserslautern Hbf.
Click on picture to return to description.

The computer shows a 10 minute layover.
Click on picture to return to description.

Trains wait as one leaves Bad Munster am Stein Hbf on our track.
Click on picture to return to description.

Leaving the station.
Click on picture to return to description.

Moving down the track as we wait.
Click on picture to return to description.

Arriving passengers.
Click on picture to return to description.

The signal is still red. The computer showed a 10 minute wait at Bad Munster am Stein.
Click on picture to return to description.

The track looks clear but the signal is still red.
Click on picture to return to description.

We have green to go.
Click on picture to return to description.

We have a caution ahead.
Click on picture to return to description.

We have a caution ahead.
Click on picture to return to description.

We have a green rounding the curve.
Click on picture to return to description.

We have a green with caution rounding the curve.
Click on picture to return to description.

About to go under a great looking bridge.
Click on picture to return to description.

More yellow than green as we approach a station.
Click on picture to return to description.

Approaching a station and a crossing.
Click on picture to return to description.

The station is just around the curve.
Click on picture to return to description.

Approaching Bad Kreuznach Hbf.
Click on picture to return to description.

Approaching another crossover.
Click on picture to return to description.

We have the right of way at this crossover.
Click on picture to return to description.

Two bridges ahead.
Click on picture to return to description.

Its the 510-1 BR 643.
Click on picture to return to description.

The computer.
Click on picture to return to description.

The timeline for 510-1.
Click on picture to return to description.

Another great looking bridge.
Click on picture to return to description.

On the staight track.
Click on picture to return to description.

Getting the high sign from the driver of another 643 on its way to Kaiserslautern Hbf.
Click on picture to return to description.

Getting close to Bingen. The vineyards ahead are on the other side of the Rhein.
Click on picture to return to description.

Bingen (Rhein) is just around the curve.
Click on picture to return to description.

Entering the yards at Bingen (Rhein).
Click on picture to return to description.

From the Bingen (Rhein) Hbf, the castle on the other side of the Rhein.
Click on picture to return to description.

Two 643's.
Click on picture to return to description.

Another 643 waits at Bingen (Rhein) Hbf.
Click on picture to return to description.

Bingen (Rhein).
Click on picture to return to description.

A train to Koblenz Hbf arrives at Bingen (Rhein).
Click on picture to return to description.

Arriving at Bingen on its way to Koblenz.
Click on picture to return to description.

These two loks, a BR 143 and a BR 218, are pushing the train to Koblenz.
Click on picture to return to description.

The two loks.
Click on picture to return to description.

The castle on the other side of the river at Bingen (Rhein).
Click on picture to return to description.

The 218.
Click on picture to return to description.

The 143, an electric lok, and the 218, a diesel pushing the consist. I wonder if there was a section of track where there is no catenary, or whether the diesel was just a helper lok, or whether the diesel was just being transported. ???

Click on picture to return to description.

A different 143 arrives going in the opposite direction.
Click on picture to return to description.