photo: RAILTARGET/TRAVELOGUE: The Czech Princess Who Became Denmark's Beloved Queen
During the final leg of our Scandinavian journey, we found ourselves in Ribe, one of Denmark's most ancient towns. Our arrival in Ribe was made even more special as we were greeted by the memory of a Czech princess, accomplished through just one transfer from Copenhagen. Join us in the penultimate chapter of our grand RAILTARGET travelogue through the Nordic railways.
On a Saturday at 9:31 AM, we departed Copenhagen by train, bound for Bramming. In Copenhagen, selecting the correct carriage was crucial, as four were connected and only one would proceed in our direction after being decoupled along the route. Fortunately, our reservation made locating the correct car much simpler. This connection was once again serviced by DSB, with all four units being the IR4 type. My regular reader would recognize this model, bearing a striking resemblance to the X1 unit we've extensively discussed.
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Notable differences exist, however, primarily the manufacturer. The IR4 was produced by ABB Scandia as the electric variant of the IC3 units, whereas the X31 was manufactured by Bombardier, as we're well aware. Beyond DSB, the IR4 is also utilized by Spain's Renfe and the Israeli railways. It boasts a top speed of 180 km/h and offers a spacious interior with a classic 2+2 seating arrangement in both first and second-class. In first class, passengers can enjoy complimentary instant coffee, tea, and water. The small breakfast offered—complete with pastries, jam, butter, and cheese—adds a delightful touch for first-class travelers. Thanks to these amenities, our ride was pleasant, and we arrived at Bramming station at 12:20 PM.
A 50-minute layover in Bramming was made enjoyable by the station café. Time flew by, and at 1:10 PM we were boarding the train to Ribe, operated by Arriva—a company familiar to us from the Czech Republic. The journey was made in a LINT 41 two-car diesel unit manufactured by Alstom, also utilized by LeoExpress in our region. Capable of speeds up to 120 km/h, the unit is equipped with power outlets and Wi-Fi connectivity. We reached Ribe shortly after, at 1:27 PM.
The local station, modest with just two tracks, a neighboring bus stop, and a closed-off hall, is situated merely 500 meters from the town's central square, to which I must add a historical remark.
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In Ribe, we lodged at the Dagmar boarding house, bearing the name of a 13th-century Danish queen, who is commemorated here with a statue. What's particularly captivating for the Czech reader is that the illustrious Queen Dagmar was born as Markéta Přemyslovna, daughter of one Přemysl Otakar I. Yet, what may be even more astonishing is that this Czech princess, relatively obscure in her own land, has posthumously become and remains one of the most cherished queens in Danish history—a legacy attributed to her reputedly gentle nature and her tragic destiny.
Travel Tip: While in Ribe, do not miss the Viking Museum, conveniently located just opposite the train station, which escorts you through the extensive history of this enchanting town.
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