Identifying train classes: rolling stock for spotters

Class 218 and Ludmilla: Identifying and Finding Classic Diesel Locomotives

Four axles or six, box-body or TRAXX: here's how to tell the last classic diesel locomotives apart and find out where they're still running.

DB Class 101: Identify, Find and Photograph the Intercity Locomotive

Wedge-shaped front, three-phase drive, IC duty: the Class 101 in a spotter's profile – with identification features, the advertising-livery theme and tips for catching one.

Identifying Train Classes: How to Recognise Any Locomotive or Multiple Unit

A real identification key instead of a list: in four steps, from drive type and axle count through the number series to the right class.

Identifying bus models: Citaro, Lion's City, Urbino and co.

Four models cover most of German scheduled bus services. Here's how to identify them by front, window line and roof fittings – with an interactive ID tool.

Identify Electric Buses: eCitaro, e-Lion's City and Hydrogen Buses

Roof fittings, rear end, sound: how to reliably identify electric and hydrogen buses – and why charging stops are the best spots for bus photos.

Identifying Freight Wagon Types: From Habbiins to Sgns

One capital letter, a few lower-case letters – and you already know what the freight train is carrying. Here's how to read type codes correctly.

ICE 1 to ICE 4: Telling Every ICE Class Apart with Confidence

Power car or multiple unit, tilting technology or powercar: the features that let you identify every ICE generation from the platform with certainty.

Identify Tram Types: Combino, Flexity, Avenio, Variobahn

Count modules, check the bogies, compare the front end: the identification guide for tram types – from the modern low-floor tram to the Tatra classic.

FLIRT, Talent, Desiro & Co.: Telling Regional Multiple Units Apart

Cab shape, door layout, roof equipment and traction sound: the systematic identification guide to the most common multiple units in German regional services.

Reading the UIC number: what the 12 digits on a vehicle reveal

Twelve digits, five blocks, one unique identity: how to read the UIC vehicle number and use the self-check digit to confirm you've read it correctly.

Vectron (Class 193): How to Identify and Classify the Most Common Freight Locomotive

Count the pantographs, read the country codes, identify the keeper: how the seemingly uniform Class 193 becomes a proper collecting theme.

Advertising Locomotives and Special Liveries: How to Track Down Current Vehicles

Catching a specific advertising locomotive isn't luck, it's research. Here's how to narrow down where a single vehicle is from sightings, diagrams and live data.

The Complete ICE L Guide: Sightings, Test Runs, Formation, Comfort, Technology and Deployment

Drehscheibe Online & Talgo: current sightings, ICE L/ECx, night trains, photo tips, hotspots and tracking tools

Drehscheibe Online Advertising Locomotives: Current Sightings, Diagram Tips, Photo Spots, History, Photography Tips

Trainspotting ICE: The Ultimate Guide to Sightings, Photo Spots, Classes & Pro Tips