🚂 Der Deutschen Bahn – A First-Class Ride to the Toilet Crisis 🚂💩

As if our journey to Germany wasn’t already emotionally challenging enough, fate decided to spice things up with a few unpleasant surprises on the way there and back.

To make sure no other national or international traveler suffers the same way, I feel morally obligated to share this post as a public service announcement to anyone boarding der Deutschen Bahn in 2025. You’ve been warned!

Let’s start with the facts:

Germany, this world-renowned pioneer of engineering, efficiency, and punctuality - the land of precision and perfection - is, quite frankly, going down the toilet. And I mean that literally.

Congratulations to der Deutschen Bahn for turning “first class” into a “first mess.”

Our trip began promisingly: from Zurich Main Station to Frankfurt, everything went smoothly. Clean, calm, civilized. The moment we switched to the Regionalzug to Siegen, however, reality hit us harder than a delayed ICE announcement.

Even though we had first class tickets, the “first class” section was basically a tiny, airless cabin with four sad little rows. The smell alone deserved its own ticket category - “Eau de Deutsche Bahn.”

But let’s get to the real problem:

🚫 No working toilets.

None.

Every single one was “Out of order.”

At first, we thought it was bad luck. Then we realized - this was policy. Let’s be honest: it seems Deutsche Bahn has found a new savings strategy. Why clean and maintain toilets when you can just lock them and slap an “Außer Betrieb” sign on the door? Brilliant. Environmentally friendly, too - fewer flushes, more suffering.

We were shocked - especially watching mothers with crying babies trapped on a long, stinky train with no toilet and no plan B. The irony was unbearable. This is the same country that invented the word “Ordnung.”

After this unforgettable journey, we made an easy decision: never again. No matter how beautiful German cities are, no scenery can make up for being held hostage on a two-hour train with no functioning toilet.

The price of the ticket said “first class.”

The experience screamed “third world.”

It’s corruption disguised as mismanagement - and a shameful, unkind treatment of all generations at once.

So here’s my heartfelt travel tip for 2025:

🚽 If you must take der Deutschen Bahn, pack wisely. Bring snacks, no drinks, patience, and, most importantly, a baby potty. 

Not just for your baby. For yourself! 

And even diapers and pads. Not just for your baby. For yourself!

Because on today’s German rails, you never know when “out of order” might apply to your bladder, too.

The Myth of German Pünktlichkeit

Oh, and by the way - forget everything you’ve ever heard about German Pünktlichkeit (punctuality). That myth belongs in a museum, right next to fairy tales and functioning train toilets.

On our way back to Zurich, we missed our train - not because we were late, but because der Deutsche Bahn decided to make mysterious, spontaneous STOPS whenever and wherever it pleased. No explanation. No apology. Just pure, chaotic improvisation.

With an hour’s delay, we missed our connection and ended up stranded in freezing-cold Frankfurt Bahnhof, surrounded by what felt like hundreds of security guards - ironic, considering there’s no real sense of security in Germany anymore.

At this point, you can set your watch not by Deutsche Bahn, but against it.
Because missing your Anschlusszug (connecting train) isn’t a risk anymore - it’s a guarantee! 100%!

Bravo, Deutsche Bahn! The only thing that still runs on time is the frustration and your unkind and unfriendly staff.

🚂 Train Track - Licensing!

Train Track - Lily Amis feat. Francis Eluozo - A song about leaving and finally choosing yourself.

Sometimes, the tracks we walk on in life split in two, and the hardest - yet most freeing - thing we can do is take the one that leads away. Train Track is a soul-stirring pop ballad that uses the image of diverging railways to tell a story of heartbreak, self-discovery, and emotional liberation. With Francis Eluozos raw, heartfelt vocals and my evocative storytelling, the song captures that bittersweet moment when you step away from a toxic past and move toward your own worth.

It's a track for anyone who has ever stood on a platform, suitcase in hand - whether in reality or in the quiet corners of the heart, and known it was time to go.

Exclusively available as BONUS track on Bandcamp (and, as always, not on any mainstream streaming platforms)

Now available for sync licensing (in selected libraries)

Behind the Song, Train Track was created with sync in mind - cinematic, emotive, and ready to accompany powerful on-screen moments. It's perfect for film or TV scenes of transformation, breakups, long-overdue goodbyes, or journeys both literal and emotional.

• Mood/Emotion:
  
• Reflective
  
• Bittersweet
  
• Empowering
  
• Hopeful
  
• Emotional
  
• Sad
  
  Keywords:
  
• Letting go of the past
  
• Realizing self-worth
  
• Relationship fallout
  
• Emotional turning point
  
• Rebuilding identity
  
  
  Best Sync Placement Opportunities
  
  Film Drama/Romance
  
• Post-breakup scenes (protagonist walking away, traveling, or reflecting)
  
• Emotional climaxes or resolution moments
  
• End credits for stories of resilience or love lost
  
  
  TV Shows
  
• Teen/Adult dramas (Euphoria, Greys Anatomy, This Is Us)
  
• Emotional monologues
  
• Flashback or reflection sequences
  
  
  Advertisements
  
• Personal empowerment campaigns (self-care, therapy apps, retreats)
  
• Travel or railway ads with a poetic, metaphorical twist

🚂 Train Track - The Lyrics and the true story behind the song!

The Story Behind Train Track

In January, my mum and I set off on a journey to Germany, carrying the hope of a family reunion that had been 37 years in the making. We boarded that train full of expectations, not knowing what kind of destination truly awaited us.

But not all journeys end the way our hearts dream. Instead of the warm embrace my mum and I had longed for, we were met with cold shoulders and rejection.

It was painful - deeply painful. Yet I’ve learned that sometimes heartbreak plants the seed for something unexpected. Out of that moment of loss, Train Track was born.

While I was sitting with those raw emotions in Zurich, thousands of kilometres away in Nigeria, Francis Eluozo was following his own creative path - a producer and vocalist with a gift for soulful, emotional music. I didn’t know it yet, but our paths were about to cross.

I sent Francis the lyrics I had written, almost like throwing a message in a bottle across oceans. To my surprise, he caught it. Within weeks, he transformed my words into music, and when I heard Train Track for the first time, it felt like heartbreak had shifted into something bigger than itself - into a song that could hold both pain and hope at once.

That track became more than just a song; it became the spark for a whole new creative direction. I started to see train stations, railways, and tracks as powerful metaphors for life’s journey - departures and arrivals, hope and heartbreak, the unknown destinations we all face. It felt so natural to keep writing songs within this theme.

For me, these songs are not only personal stories but also perfect companions for film and television - music that can carry emotional moments on screen and help tell stories that move people.

Train Track was the first of many, and it taught me this: even when the journey doesn’t take you where you hoped, it can still lead you to a place you were meant to create from.

The album LightSearch reminded me why I love creating: music has the power to turn rejection into release, and distance into connection. From Zurich to Nigeria, across cultures and continents, creativity found a way to unite us. We hope you enjoy Train Track! 

SONG LYRICS TRAIN TRACK

Lily Amis feat. Francis Eluozo 

I took the train with one goal in mind

Was ready to let go, leave everything behind

Covered my wounds to heal my mind

Forget my loveless past 

Forgive your selfish acts

My motivation was love and togetherness

After too many painful decades 

Your motivation was nothing but revenge

What a fool I was to believe you’ve changed!

Train Track, Train Track

Double-track railways won’t let us unite

We never shared the same single-track 

Our destination was always on different tracks

The reality, the reality, The railway, The railway of life

Came all the way by train with destination love

The rail speed reminded me of the transience of life 

The decades went by without you playing a part in my life 

But you know what, it was your loss, not mine

I’ve put up with your cruelty, tolerated insults

Endured your cold shoulder for way too long

Didn’t realize not having you around was a blessing 

And now I return back home with an open eye 

My heart is shattered but hey I will survive 

Train Track, Train Track

Double-track railways won’t let us unite

We never shared the same single-track 

Our destination was always on different tracks

The reality, the reality, The railway, The railway of life

I know I did everything possible 

I was ready to forget and forgive for my spiritual growth   

After what you’ve done and shown in recent days

I’m grateful I took a different way

I realize now our train had left the station years ago, years ago

I was on the right track all my life, MY railway of life 

Without your love and your support by my side! 

You know what, I will survive….

🚂 Train Track - Lily Amis feat. Francis Eluozo

There’s a certain magic in collaboration - when two creative worlds meet on the same track and ride together. 

With 🚂Train Track, I had the joy of joining forces with Francis Eluozo, an artist whose music production doesn’t just tell stories, it breathes them. His lyrics carry both the weight of lived moments and the lightness of fleeting joys, making his voice an anchor and a compass in this song.

Francis says it best: “Every song has a story. Some come from real-life experiences, while others are drawn from emotions, people, or even fleeting moments that leave a lasting impression. As a singer-songwriter, I’ve always believed that lyrics are the soul of a song-they capture the essence of a feeling and turn it into something you can hear, sing, and even relive.”

When I asked Francis about his process, he pulled me straight into the heart of it. He shared how some of his most powerful lyrics were born from lived moments-the highs, the lows, and those pauses in between when life demands you really feel.

One song came from a conversation that felt like a final goodbye. Sitting alone, replaying every word, every silence… that weight turned into lyrics. And those lyrics became a song that resonated deeply with others who had felt the same sting.

But it’s not just about heartbreak. Francis lights up when he talks about joy-the spontaneous road trips, the nights you never forget, or the comfort of being with someone who makes life feel lighter. “Music has a way of freezing time,” he says, “capturing a memory in a way words alone can’t.”

And then, there are the borrowed stories (like Train Track)-the ones he steps into from the outside. Friends, strangers, characters imagined on the fly. He once wrote a song inspired by a couple who kept finding their way back to each other, no matter what life threw at them. That resilience, that heartbeat, is what shaped the song.

Francis also pulls sparks from books, movies, and even overheard conversations. To him, songwriting is pure storytelling-and the best stories don’t always belong to the writer.

That’s the magic Francis brings to my very personal song Train Track with his vocals and production. 

Train Track is one of the tracks on the album LIGHTSEARCH. 

🚂Train Track - Michael Portillo – The Railway Gentleman

🚂 When I think of trains and storytelling, one name always comes to mind: Michael Portillo.

For years, Sima and I have sat down to watch his BBC2 series Great British Railway Journeys, and every episode feels like traveling without leaving the couch. His intelligence, wit, and curiosity make him one of the most captivating presenters on television.

What makes Portillo’s documentaries so unique is their breadth. He doesn’t just show us a railway line or a train ride. He takes us deep into history, geography, architecture, food culture, and even the little details of accommodation along the way. With his famous Bradshaw’s Guide in hand, he connects the past with the present - making every journey a cultural, historical, and human adventure.

He has that rare gift of transforming facts into stories. Whether he’s sharing the history of a Victorian railway bridge, tasting a regional dish, or meeting local people whose lives are shaped by the railway, Michael Portillo makes us care. He reminds us that railways are not just about moving from one place to another-they are about people, communities, and the lifeblood of nations.

It’s no wonder his documentaries have become such beloved viewing worldwide. Sima and I often say: “If only every history teacher taught like Michael Portillo speaks, everyone would love history.”

That’s also why I find him inspiring for my own project, Train Track. Like Portillo, I believe trains are more than tracks and timetables. They are metaphors for life, journeys, and the stories we carry with us.

So here’s to the Railway Gentleman - for teaching us, entertaining us, and reminding us that every journey matters. 

JOIN THE CONTEST

🚂Train Track - India’s Frontier Railways – Hope on the Tracks

 

🚂 If there’s one thing I’ve learned while working on Train Track, it’s this: railways are never just about steel, timetables, or destinations. They are about people. About lives. About stories.

The BBC documentary series India’s Frontier Railways captures this truth in the most profound way. It is a three-part journey across some of the most sensitive railway lines in the world, where every train journey carries more than passengers — it carries history, hope, and heartbreak.

One episode follows the Samjhauta Express between India and Pakistan, a train whose very name means “agreement.” It is a lifeline for families divided by borders, a fragile reminder of peace in a region where politics often overshadow humanity. Watching loved ones reunite on those platforms is a powerful reminder of what really matters.

Another episode features the Maitree Express, which links India and Bangladesh. The word maitree means “friendship,” and that is exactly what this train symbolizes: connections that outlast borders, cultures that refuse to be separated, and the resilience of ordinary people whose lives are interwoven.

And then there’s the magical Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage line often called the “toy train.” It may be small, but it is mighty in spirit — linking villages, cultures, and people in the foothills of the Himalayas.

What makes India’s Frontier Railways so special is not just its cinematography, but its humanity. It’s about people waiting on platforms with handkerchiefs in hand, children leaning out of windows to wave at strangers, and entire communities whose daily rhythms are set by the whistle of a train.

It shows us that railways are more than tracks. They are bridges — across landscapes, across cultures, and across hearts.

For me, this documentary echoes the heartbeat of Train Track: the idea that no matter where we are in the world, our lives intersect like railway lines. We cross paths, we drift apart, we meet again — and sometimes, even divided by borders, we remain connected in spirit.

So here’s to the power of trains to remind us that beyond the politics and divisions, humanity always finds a way to connect

🚂Train Track - On the Railway of Stories

 

🚂 On the Railway of Stories: 

Books, Movies & Documentaries that Inspire Train Track

Trains are more than just a mode of transportation. They are symbols of journeys, encounters, departures, and arrivals. They carry us across landscapes, but also through the landscapes of our own emotions. They connect strangers, reunite families, and sometimes - they mirror the struggles of life itself.

When I wrote Train Track, I found myself reflecting on how often trains appear in literature, cinema, and documentaries - how their imagery resonates universally with heartbreak, hope, and transformation. Here’s a curated list of timeless books, movies, and documentaries set on or around trains, that capture the essence of the “railways of life.”

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📚 Top Books Featuring Trains

• Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
  A mystery classic that captures the magic and suspense of being trapped on a snowbound luxury train.

• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
  One of the greatest novels of all time, where fateful train scenes symbolize love, tragedy, and destiny.

• The Railway Children by E. Nesbit
  A heartwarming children’s classic about resilience, family, and the adventures that begin at the station.

• Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith
  A psychological thriller where two strangers meet on a train, and one suggests a chilling idea: “I’ll commit your murder if you commit mine.” Dark, gripping, and unforgettable.

• Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier
  A thoughtful, philosophical novel where a Swiss professor abandons his routine life after a chance encounter, boarding a night train to Lisbon that changes his destiny.

• The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
  A modern bestseller where daily train rides become the stage for mystery and obsession, as an ordinary passenger witnesses something shocking from her carriage window.

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🎬 Top Movies Featuring Trains

• Some Like It Hot (1959)
  Billy Wilder’s hilarious classic where much of the action kicks off on a train - blending comedy, disguise, and unforgettable performances by Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon.

• My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
  A romantic comedy gem where the train station becomes the stage for one of the most heartfelt moments.

• The Christmas Train (2017)
  Based on David Baldacci’s book, this Hallmark film shows how holiday magic unfolds on the rails - and yes, ironically starring Dermot Mulroney again, as in My Best Friend’s Wedding! 

• The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
  Three estranged brothers take a whimsical yet emotional train journey across India, rediscovering family bonds and healing old wounds.

• Brief Encounter (1945)
  A chance meeting on a train platform sparks a forbidden romance — tender, restrained, and heartbreakingly timeless.

• Snowpiercer (2013)
  In a frozen post-apocalyptic world, the last survivors live aboard a perpetually moving train - a thrilling allegory of class struggle and survival.

• Before Sunrise (1995)
  Two strangers meet on a train and spend one magical night in Vienna, capturing love, fate, and fleeting connections.

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🎥 Top Documentaries Featuring Trains

• Great British Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo (BBC2) A colorful journey through history, geography, and culture — told with charm and insight by the railway gentleman himself.

• India’s Frontier Railways (BBC)
  An eye-opening look at how trains connect communities across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, blending politics, culture, and human resilience.

• The World’s Busiest Railway (BBC)
  A vivid portrait of Mumbai’s Central Station, where millions of people’s stories intersect every single day.

• Extreme Railways with Chris Tarrant
  Veteran broadcaster Chris Tarrant takes us on the world’s most dangerous, unusual, and breathtaking train routes — from mountain climbs to desert crossings.

• Japan’s Bullet Train
  A fascinating dive into the Shinkansen, Japan’s legendary high-speed marvel - symbol of innovation, precision, and the future of rail travel.

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🚂 Why Trains Inspire Me

Trains are like life itself:

• People come and go.

• Some journeys are joyful, others heartbreaking.

• Each destination carries a story.

Through Train Track, my feat. Artist Francis and I wanted to capture this very essence: the rhythm of the rails echoing the rhythm of our lives.

So next time you watch a movie, read a book, or tune into a documentary about trains - look closely. You might just see your own story reflected in the carriages passing by.

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✨ Call to Action:
👉 What’s YOUR favorite book, movie, or documentary about trains? Share it in the comments below or join the conversation on Instagram at @the.train.track.

And don’t forget - the Train Track Writing & Photo Contest is open! Every track has a story. What’s yours?

My Favorite Scene in the movie with Jack Lemmon on the Night train!

🚂 Train Track Writing & Photo Contest

Every track has a story. What’s yours?

Life is like a railway - filled with arrivals, departures, crossings, and unexpected delays. Inspired by my upcoming song “Train Track” (Lily Amis feat. Francis Eluozo), I invite YOU to share your story or vision of the railway of life.

✨ NEW TWIST: The best entries won’t just be shared - they’ll be brought to life as cinematic Instagram Reels using AI storytelling visuals combined with the official Train Track soundtrack! 🎬🎶

How to Enter:

1️⃣ Post your story (max. 300 words) OR a photo inspired by the railway of life.
2️⃣ Share it on Instagram. 
3️⃣ Follow @the.train.track, tag @the.train.track and use #TrainTrackStories.

Deadline:

🗓️ November 1st, 2025

Prizes:

🏆 The winning entry will receive an Amazon voucher (books or music – your choice!)

🏆 In addition, the winner will receive a special Christmas gift package, curated by Lily Amis - a heartfelt surprise designed to inspire and uplift.

 ✨ PLUS: Your story or photo may be featured as part of the official Train Track cinematic reel series.

Announcement:

📢 Winners will be announced on Instagram @the.train.track and on my official blog.

So, hop on board and share your voice, your vision, your #TrainTrackStories. Let’s show the world that every journey matters.

UPDATE 31. October 2025: NO ENTRIES, NO WINNERS! Sad but true! 

🚂Train Track – The Railways of Life

🚂Railways of life crossing each other’s paths…

Each of us carries invisible luggage - some filled with joy, others with heartbreak, anger, or fear. On the surface, we walk by one another in train stations, barely noticing. Yet behind every face lies a story of survival, of endurance, of simply trying to function in the chaos of life.

Train stations are extraordinary places. They are crossroads where countless journeys overlap - strangers from every walk of life brushing shoulders for a fleeting second. You feel the weight of energies colliding: hope, fatigue, excitement, despair. And yet, we rarely pause. We see the same faces every day, arriving and departing, and never know their names, their destinations, or the stories that shaped them. If we could read their minds, the noise would be deafening.

Most of the time, stations feel rushed. People are not really there - they are already chasing their destination. Smiles are rare. Everyone is in a hurry to move on, to escape. And in today’s world, that distance feels even sharper: commuters glued to their phones, scrolling through digital lives while ignoring the very real souls sitting right beside them.

Despite the thousands moving together, people remain trapped in their own thoughts - avoiding eye contact, dodging connection. Some bury themselves in newspapers or books, others cradle a coffee on the go, while many retreat into the comfort of headphones, staring blankly through train windows. All of them sharing a space, but not truly sharing a moment.

And yet, isn’t that the metaphor of life itself?

Parallel tracks. So close, yet never touching.

Journeys that cross, only to separate again.

Different rails, different destinations - all bound by the same railway of life.

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This is the heartbeat of my upcoming single, Train Track.

And now, I want to hear your stories.

Soon I will be announcing a Writing Contest inspired by Train Track. You’ll have the chance to share your own reflections - your personal train track story - for a chance to win and be featured.

Follow my Instagram @the.train.track to stay updated and join the journey.

Every track has a story. What’s yours? 

🚂Train Track – Where History Meets the Journey of Life!

 

🚂 Every track has a story. What’s yours?

As I prepare to release my new single Train Track, I’ve been diving deep into the world of trains - not only for their fascinating history but also for what they symbolize: life’s endless journeys, departures, arrivals, and the tracks we leave behind.

Did you know?

• The very first passenger station in the world opened in Liverpool, England, in 1830. A modest beginning that changed how humanity moves forever.
• The largest train station today is Grand Central Terminal in New York City, a breathtaking masterpiece with 44 platforms and 67 tracks. More than just a station, it’s a living movie set of daily comings and goings.
• On the other end of the spectrum lies Damems Station in the UK - one of the smallest stations, where trains only stop on request. Proof that even the tiniest platforms can hold big stories.
• Across the globe, there are tens of thousands of stations - too many to count - each one a gateway to someone’s story.
• India leads the world with over 7,300 stations - a web of rails that connect millions of lives daily.
• And if you wonder how many trains run worldwide each day? Just in India alone, there are about 25,000 passenger and freight trains daily. Multiply that across the globe, and the number becomes staggering.

These facts remind me why trains have always been more than just machines. They are metaphors for our lives - constant movement, choices of direction, moments of stillness at stations, and the unstoppable flow of time.

That’s the heart of Train Track. It’s not just a song about rails and stations - it’s about life’s railway.

Soon, I’ll be launching a photo and writing contest on Instagram and my blog. I’ll be inviting you to share your own “train track stories” - whether they’re about real journeys or metaphorical ones. The winning story will be rewarded with an Amazon voucher (to buy books or music for your next ride).

This project is for everyone who believes that every journey matters.

Stay tuned. The train is about to leave the station...