Thank you for all the love and support.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Spring in Denmark
While waiting for the bus after a day at work I noticed how clear the air was around the bus stop, I could see for miles. Before this day I did not know that there were windmills in the distance. People at work wonder why do I carry my camera with me where ever I go...to capture moments like these is exactly why. I hope you enjoy all the pictures.
Thank you for all the love and support.
Thank you for all the love and support.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Denmark National Railway Museum
During the Christmas break, my boyfriend C come over to Denmark. For the few of you who know C, you all know that this is a major feat. This is because C really really hates to fly, so it meant a lot to me when he come over to visit.
So while C was with me I thought it would be a good idea to go the Denmark National Railway Museum since C has some a family history with trains in the US.
We had to travel about 30 minutes by train to a town called Odense (pronounced Olens). The railway museum was quite close to the actual train station by quite close I mean right next door.
In the infancy of the railways, train engines or horses were used for all shunting. This usually worked well but it was always difficult to pull the wagons up to the station on the steep harbor line in Århus.
The first shunting locomotives were quite small, with an upright boiler and not driver's cab. A shunting foreman once demonstrated their lack of traction by having a horse pull one of the "coffee-grinders' past the windows of the senior engineer, John Blair.
L 2 was saved for posterity thanks to the fact that it was used for many years as a stationary steam boiler. In 1928, it was rescued from oblivion and reconstructed to join its venerable friends in the future Railway Museum.
The oldest railway coaches were almost always built as compartment coaches - practically linked stagecoaches on shared wheels. The passengers were locked into their compartments when the train departed and got their tickets inspected through the windows.
BJ 665 was originally supplied with compartments for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class. In 1888 toilets were installed in the coach and a small saloon, which was mainly reserved for ladies on long journeys.
Denmark's great story teller, Hans Christian Anderson, tells in his memories how dreadful it was for him to travel in a railway coach without direct access to a toilet when his stomach was trying itself in knots from sheer excitement. Apart from that the author loved traveling by train - that was life itself!
The E machines were the largest express train locomotives in service with DSB, originally an abbreviation of Danske Statsbaner (Danish State Railways).
In 1937, DSB brought 11 Swedish steam locomotives (Swedish Class F). they were from 1914-1916 and had been scrapped after the introduction of electrically run trains on the Swedish railways. New, heavy steel carriages, higher speeds and an increase in traffic had created the need in the 1930s for higher locomotives in DSB. After considerable alterations, which included adapting the Swedish machines to right hand drive, they came into service with the liter designation E.
And so it was one of the new E-type machines that came to pull the train with the brand-new royal carriage with the Storstrøm Bridge was officially opened in September 1937.
Traffic continued to increase and during the years of the German occupation 1940-45, the need of motive power was enormous. DSB was highly satisfied with the E machines and since it was not possible to plan any new type of locomotive, Frichs' factories factories in Århus came to build a total of 25 new E-type machines between 1942 and 1950, using the old Swedish drawings with only a few alterations. E 994 belongs to this series.
The locomotives were built with a maximum performance of 1,500 hp and a top speed of 127 kph. The maximum speed in Denmark was set at 110 kph. The engines pulled both express trains and large through goods trains.
Towards 1970, DSB's steam locomotives were scrapped including the E-type machines.
A couple of the original Swedish machines have returned to Sweden and are owned by the railway museum in Gavle.
A couple of the Danish built E type machines are owned by the Danish Railway Museum: E 991 fromo 1947 is stationed in Randers and is used for veteran train rides, while E 994 is on show here at the museum.
E 994 carried out one of its last assignments on 24 January 1972, when it pulled the train carrying King Frederik IX's bier from Copenhagen to Roskilde.
Diesel-electric locomotive MY 1112
NOHAB 1956
When the State Railways were to find a replacement for their steam locomotives after the war, the choice lay between electrically powered or diesel driven locomotives. The introduction of electrically run machines would be relatively costly because of the considerable expense involved in, among other things, setting up thousands of masts with cables as well as electrical equipment. So diesel engines were chosen sited.
DSB then ordered diesel locomotives of an American type (General Motors). The machines were to be built under licence by the Swedish factory Nydquist & Holm (NOHAB).
This type of locomotive was given the liter designation MY. The first locomotive, made in 1954, now runs in its original colours for DSB Museum Trains.
The principle underlying these diesel-electric locomotives is that a diesel engine powers an electric generator. This then supplies current to a number of traction motors, which in turn drive the wheels.
The locomotive has a V-shaped, 16-cylinder, two-stroke diesel engine, which intros version, produces 1,950 hp. There are 4 traction motors, Weight: 101.6 tons. Length from buffer to buffer: 18.9 metros. Max. speed: 133 kph.
In the 1954-65 period, a total of 59 of the Swedish/American MY locomotives wer made. For many years, they were an exceptionally stable motive power - for goods trains, regional trains and long-distance trains. Most of them have now been scrapped . A few have been sold to private Danish railway lines or to foreign railway companies.
In the early days of the railway, all points levers and signals were operated manually at the points. But by the end of the 1800s, the first centrally operated systems started to be put into service.
This allowed trains to be run far more efficiently with modest staffing, at the same time as significantly improving safety.
The first systems were purely mechanical. Signals and points levers were tripped using an ingenious system of wire works that were directly connected to handles and pulleys of the interlocking frame.
The yellow handles operate signals, the red operate points levers and the green operate the points-lever lock that makes sure the points levers are kept in the correct position.
As each handle was mechanically connected only one train at a time could be sent on the same track.
Model of section of the Great Belt Tunnel
Between Sprogø and Korsør the railway passes through a tunnel beneath the Geat Belt. The tunnel was built in 1988-96, is 8,024 metros long and consists of two separate tubes with a railway track in each. The two tubes are linked by 31 transverse tunnels that function both as emergency exits and contain important installations.
Data:
The 40 cm think walls of the tunnel comprise a total of 62,500 cement sections that have been bolted together. From the sea bed to the top of the tunnel there is between 12 and 40 metros. At ist deepest point the tunnel is 75 meters below the surface of the sea.
To get to Odense we had to travel though this tunnel, amazingly the ride was so smooth I could not really tell went though an underwater tunnel. I really enjoyed spending time with C and I enjoyed looking at all the trains.
Thank you for all your love and support.
So while C was with me I thought it would be a good idea to go the Denmark National Railway Museum since C has some a family history with trains in the US.
We had to travel about 30 minutes by train to a town called Odense (pronounced Olens). The railway museum was quite close to the actual train station by quite close I mean right next door.
In the infancy of the railways, train engines or horses were used for all shunting. This usually worked well but it was always difficult to pull the wagons up to the station on the steep harbor line in Århus.
The first shunting locomotives were quite small, with an upright boiler and not driver's cab. A shunting foreman once demonstrated their lack of traction by having a horse pull one of the "coffee-grinders' past the windows of the senior engineer, John Blair.
L 2 was saved for posterity thanks to the fact that it was used for many years as a stationary steam boiler. In 1928, it was rescued from oblivion and reconstructed to join its venerable friends in the future Railway Museum.
The oldest railway coaches were almost always built as compartment coaches - practically linked stagecoaches on shared wheels. The passengers were locked into their compartments when the train departed and got their tickets inspected through the windows.
BJ 665 was originally supplied with compartments for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class. In 1888 toilets were installed in the coach and a small saloon, which was mainly reserved for ladies on long journeys.
Denmark's great story teller, Hans Christian Anderson, tells in his memories how dreadful it was for him to travel in a railway coach without direct access to a toilet when his stomach was trying itself in knots from sheer excitement. Apart from that the author loved traveling by train - that was life itself!
In 1937, DSB brought 11 Swedish steam locomotives (Swedish Class F). they were from 1914-1916 and had been scrapped after the introduction of electrically run trains on the Swedish railways. New, heavy steel carriages, higher speeds and an increase in traffic had created the need in the 1930s for higher locomotives in DSB. After considerable alterations, which included adapting the Swedish machines to right hand drive, they came into service with the liter designation E.
And so it was one of the new E-type machines that came to pull the train with the brand-new royal carriage with the Storstrøm Bridge was officially opened in September 1937.
Traffic continued to increase and during the years of the German occupation 1940-45, the need of motive power was enormous. DSB was highly satisfied with the E machines and since it was not possible to plan any new type of locomotive, Frichs' factories factories in Århus came to build a total of 25 new E-type machines between 1942 and 1950, using the old Swedish drawings with only a few alterations. E 994 belongs to this series.
The locomotives were built with a maximum performance of 1,500 hp and a top speed of 127 kph. The maximum speed in Denmark was set at 110 kph. The engines pulled both express trains and large through goods trains.
Towards 1970, DSB's steam locomotives were scrapped including the E-type machines.
A couple of the original Swedish machines have returned to Sweden and are owned by the railway museum in Gavle.
A couple of the Danish built E type machines are owned by the Danish Railway Museum: E 991 fromo 1947 is stationed in Randers and is used for veteran train rides, while E 994 is on show here at the museum.
E 994 carried out one of its last assignments on 24 January 1972, when it pulled the train carrying King Frederik IX's bier from Copenhagen to Roskilde.
NOHAB 1956
When the State Railways were to find a replacement for their steam locomotives after the war, the choice lay between electrically powered or diesel driven locomotives. The introduction of electrically run machines would be relatively costly because of the considerable expense involved in, among other things, setting up thousands of masts with cables as well as electrical equipment. So diesel engines were chosen sited.
DSB then ordered diesel locomotives of an American type (General Motors). The machines were to be built under licence by the Swedish factory Nydquist & Holm (NOHAB).
This type of locomotive was given the liter designation MY. The first locomotive, made in 1954, now runs in its original colours for DSB Museum Trains.
The principle underlying these diesel-electric locomotives is that a diesel engine powers an electric generator. This then supplies current to a number of traction motors, which in turn drive the wheels.
The locomotive has a V-shaped, 16-cylinder, two-stroke diesel engine, which intros version, produces 1,950 hp. There are 4 traction motors, Weight: 101.6 tons. Length from buffer to buffer: 18.9 metros. Max. speed: 133 kph.
In the 1954-65 period, a total of 59 of the Swedish/American MY locomotives wer made. For many years, they were an exceptionally stable motive power - for goods trains, regional trains and long-distance trains. Most of them have now been scrapped . A few have been sold to private Danish railway lines or to foreign railway companies.
This allowed trains to be run far more efficiently with modest staffing, at the same time as significantly improving safety.
The first systems were purely mechanical. Signals and points levers were tripped using an ingenious system of wire works that were directly connected to handles and pulleys of the interlocking frame.
The yellow handles operate signals, the red operate points levers and the green operate the points-lever lock that makes sure the points levers are kept in the correct position.
As each handle was mechanically connected only one train at a time could be sent on the same track.
Model of section of the Great Belt Tunnel
Between Sprogø and Korsør the railway passes through a tunnel beneath the Geat Belt. The tunnel was built in 1988-96, is 8,024 metros long and consists of two separate tubes with a railway track in each. The two tubes are linked by 31 transverse tunnels that function both as emergency exits and contain important installations.
Data:
The 40 cm think walls of the tunnel comprise a total of 62,500 cement sections that have been bolted together. From the sea bed to the top of the tunnel there is between 12 and 40 metros. At ist deepest point the tunnel is 75 meters below the surface of the sea.
To get to Odense we had to travel though this tunnel, amazingly the ride was so smooth I could not really tell went though an underwater tunnel. I really enjoyed spending time with C and I enjoyed looking at all the trains.
Thank you for all your love and support.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Dybbøl Mølle (Dybbøl Mill)
While I was at the Sondbjerg estate I had the opportunity twice to go to a historical site in Denmark, called Dybbøl Mølle (Dybbøl mill). This mill is close to the Germany border and has been destroyed many times during wars with Germany.
Denmark is very proud of the Dybbøl mill because it is symbol of resistance and endurance.
Dybbøl Mill History
The windmill, built in 1744. In 1800 Lightning struck his mill burned down. The mile was rebuilt immediately thereafter. In both Schleswig wars of 1848-50 and 1864 the mill was destroyed and rebuilt. After 1864 and the Danish defeat by the Prussians, the mill was a symbol of Danish endurance in the lost land. In 1935 the mill burned down after a short circuit, but rebuilt in its present form.
Until 1990 the mill was powered by a number of tenants. In 1995, decorated Museum at Sønderborg Castle exhibitions in granary and mill.
Denmark is very proud of the Dybbøl mill because it is symbol of resistance and endurance.
" Dybbøl Mill emerges as the Danish-national symbol in the border country.
The mill was the center of fierce fighting in both 1848-49 and 1864.
The mill was the center of fierce fighting in both 1848-49 and 1864.
During both the Schleswig wars of the mill was destroyed but re-built.
Dybbøl Mill and in extremely hot Dybbøl was the epitome of Danish resistance and endurance.
Dybbøl Mill and in extremely hot Dybbøl was the epitome of Danish resistance and endurance.
The mill and granary are decorated with exhibits that tell the story of Dybbøl a national symbol and remembrance site for two nations - Denmark and Germany."
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| Exhibits on the mill's history and significance somethings national symbol of Danish and German in 150 years. |
The windmill, built in 1744. In 1800 Lightning struck his mill burned down. The mile was rebuilt immediately thereafter. In both Schleswig wars of 1848-50 and 1864 the mill was destroyed and rebuilt. After 1864 and the Danish defeat by the Prussians, the mill was a symbol of Danish endurance in the lost land. In 1935 the mill burned down after a short circuit, but rebuilt in its present form.
Until 1990 the mill was powered by a number of tenants. In 1995, decorated Museum at Sønderborg Castle exhibitions in granary and mill.
 |
| Dybbøl mølle |
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| Dybbøl mølle |
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| This is a plaque was on the side of the mill. A colleague of mine who is Danish tried to translate it but it was difficult. She said the that words on the plaque were from old Danish. But she said that basically states this mill was raised from the ruble and this land stands for the brave Danish men you gave their lives. |
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| The view towards town. |
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| More of the town Sondbjerb. |
 |
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| Danish king Christian IX, who was king during the Second War of Schleswig in 1864. |
| Near by there is a flag pole with these three stones around it. Each stone had a message on it. I tried to translate the messages. |
 |
| Danish soldiers' associations raised this memorial honors those who fought for our motherland. |
 |
| Raised by the reunion of King Christian X in 1920. Christian X was Christian IX grandson. |
 | |
| Older Danish, the translation is kind of messy: but than are deer in the woods singing aloud waves the red flag than there is a god at the top which holds the UK Case. Also that this site were a bunch of these cannons. Some of you might recognize these cannons I was standing near them in the family calender.    On the other side of the road you could still see the old battle line barracks.    This site is also really close to the ocean. It really is a beautiful site, of course both times I visited this location it was cold and very windy. Thank you for all your love and support. |
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Sometimes it is hard......
Sometimes is it hard to be so far away from home.
In early November 2010 not long after I moved here, my boyfriend (C) and I were told the sad news that C's cousin Nathan was diagnosed with angiosarcoma which is a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma that is incurable.
On March 10, 2011 Nathan lost his battle with cancer. I really wish I could be there for my boyfriend during this time. Looking at my schedule and the cost of plane tickets there is no way I can be there for the funeral.
It is so hard to talking to (C) over skype when I would rather be there with him. But he understands I am not 'superwomen' that I can not be there right now and he appreciates talking to me. But still my heart breaks for (C) and Nathan's young wife.
I did what I could; I ordered flowers and sent a card with a donation to Nathan's wife and I sent (C) a card also.
Because I am living on the other side of the world, I really can not do much. I would like to ask my friends and family to please say a few extra prayers for Nathan and his wife. If any one wants to send a sympathy message to Nathan's family please do so through the funeral home website link below:
Thank you for all your love and support.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Gas prices
Lately the price of gas has been in the US news, with the price of a gallon reaching $4 and in some places $5 per gallon. I know this price is affecting many of my family members. I wanted to let people know how much gas is here.
Currently a liter of gas at the station near my apartment is 11.54 Danish kroner per liter.
So we need to do a few conversions to make this gas price relative to US dollar/gallon prices.
1 gallon = 3.7854 liters
1 US dollar ~ 5.5 kroner (the exchange rate changes every day but this value is the average)
One gallon of gas in Europe costs:
1 gallon = $7.94
1 gallon = $7.94
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sandbjerg Estate
During the four months I have been in Denmark so far I have traveled to Sandbjerg Estate twice. The first time was during beginning of December and the second time was the beginning of February both times I was able to enjoy great food, great views and great accommodations. So lets start with my first trip to Sandbjerg in December, the best way to get to this estate is by car which takes three hours from where I live. For the December trip to Sandbjerg, other PhD students and myself met at the train station at 5:30 am. While waiting for other students and the company car I just had to take this picture of the station with the moon in the background.
After crazy traffic and crossing two large bridges which connect the Denmark islands we arrived to at Sandbjerb and we went to our assigned rooms. I was really surprised when I entered my room because of how nice it was set up.
The view out my room window was also great.
The location of this estate is very close to the bay and in December it was pretty cold but I still took some pictures of the location. Unfortunately I did not have time to really walk around the estate to see all the buildings.
When I arrived at Sandbjerg in February I had a bit more time to walk the estate grounds so I was able to take more pictures. But also I was able to take a nice long walk with other PhD students who were also there in February.
History of the Sandbjerg Estate
Sandbjerg Estate was founded by Duke Hans the younger shortly after he took over Sønderborg Castle in 1571. Reventlow family acquired the estate in 1673 and owned it until 1930. The palace was built in 1788 of George Conrad Reventlow. In the years 1864 to 1920 resulted in a spot right checkered career as high school economics school and stud farm.
During the second Schleswig War in 1864 used the Prussian army palace somebody headquarters. Sandbjerg Manor was sold in 1929 for barrister Dahl, whose wife was the sister of author Karen Blixen. In 1954 gave Mrs. Ellen Dahl Sandbjerg Estate to Aarhus University. Today Sandbjerg Estate 135 hectares and is run as a course property. Agricultural land is leased by a local farmer.
When I was there in February a group of us found a nice walking trail.
Alssund path between Sønderborg and Sottrupskov is about 10 km and runs along Alssund. The trip is a beautiful and varied walk through town open country village environment and forests. We did not walk the entire 10km but the walk was quite nice.
I hope you like all the pictures. My next post will be about a Danish historical site near the Sandbjerg estate.
Thank you for all the love and support. And thanks for all the cards and pictures from friends and family.
After crazy traffic and crossing two large bridges which connect the Denmark islands we arrived to at Sandbjerb and we went to our assigned rooms. I was really surprised when I entered my room because of how nice it was set up.
The view out my room window was also great.
The location of this estate is very close to the bay and in December it was pretty cold but I still took some pictures of the location. Unfortunately I did not have time to really walk around the estate to see all the buildings.
When I arrived at Sandbjerg in February I had a bit more time to walk the estate grounds so I was able to take more pictures. But also I was able to take a nice long walk with other PhD students who were also there in February.
History of the Sandbjerg Estate
Sandbjerg Estate was founded by Duke Hans the younger shortly after he took over Sønderborg Castle in 1571. Reventlow family acquired the estate in 1673 and owned it until 1930. The palace was built in 1788 of George Conrad Reventlow. In the years 1864 to 1920 resulted in a spot right checkered career as high school economics school and stud farm.
During the second Schleswig War in 1864 used the Prussian army palace somebody headquarters. Sandbjerg Manor was sold in 1929 for barrister Dahl, whose wife was the sister of author Karen Blixen. In 1954 gave Mrs. Ellen Dahl Sandbjerg Estate to Aarhus University. Today Sandbjerg Estate 135 hectares and is run as a course property. Agricultural land is leased by a local farmer.
When I was there in February a group of us found a nice walking trail.
Alssund path between Sønderborg and Sottrupskov is about 10 km and runs along Alssund. The trip is a beautiful and varied walk through town open country village environment and forests. We did not walk the entire 10km but the walk was quite nice.
I hope you like all the pictures. My next post will be about a Danish historical site near the Sandbjerg estate.
Thank you for all the love and support. And thanks for all the cards and pictures from friends and family.
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