Baltic Narrow Gauge Railways, Autumn 2006

Baltic Narrow Gauge, September 8th - 20th, 2006

In the three Baltic states there are still a multitude of narrow gauge railways in service. A lot of them are the remains of former larger networks. Most are peat railways. Trains run from the peat fields to the factory. A handful have been built since 2000, but most have seen better days. Some lines are in such a bad condition that the trains don't run faster than walking pace and the transport of people is now forbidden. In former times it was normal for the first and the last train to and from the peat fields to carry the peat workers.

Anyway our program contains some charter trains. All narrow gauge steam locomotives in working conditions will be used as well.

Itinerary

Line descriptions:

The landscape in the Baltic region is mostly flat with some gentle hills, consisting of lakes, rivers, meadows, swamps, forests and wide agricultural areas. That's the reason most narrow gauge lines don't have gradients. However, we find a lot of smaller, some larger bridges and long embankments through swampy sections. Sometimes we can see wooden houses along the line. It's possible to take pictures in real idyllic countryside. Please have a look at the report of our tour to the narrow gauge railways in Lithuania in 2005!

A special example of countryside architecture can be found in Latvia. This country suffered extreme destruction in World War I. After the independence (1919) new peat works were built. Some of these, for example Zilaiskalns and Seda, built housing estates for their employees – two-storied dwellings always including a town hall and cultural centre.

Latvia's last remaining public narrow gauge railway Gulbene – Aluksne runs according to the following timetable (will change a little bit in May 2006; trains 694/693 run 3 hours earlier on a Sunday):

Small Print

Usually Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are mentioned in one breath as the »Baltic states« and this suggests that these three states are very similar. But that's not the case! Western and southern Estonia is like a Scandinavian country, Finns and Estonians can understand each other because their languages are very similar. Latvia, however, is bilingual. The Latvian language is similar to the Lithuanian, but most of the people speak Russian. And if you come to Lithuania you'll feel more like you are in Central Europe. Lithuania and Estonia are united by the fact that the people don't like remembering the Soviet times. There English and German are popular foreign languages.

In all the three Baltic states the infrastructure has nearly reached Western European standards. The mobile phone network has nationwide cover. Local currency can be acquired uncomplicatedly from cash dispensers in every larger city. All major credit cards and EC-cards are accepted.

Traditional in the Baltic region a lot of secondary country roads are unpaved.

To offer you a reasonable price we don't use hotels in the upper price range, but especially in Latvia you will surprised by the sometimes very good standards of our hotels.

With the selection of the narrow gauge lines we will visit on our journey, we try to present you with a great variety. Both the public railways are a »must«, also the narrow gauge museum in Lavassaare and the Brigadeloco steam train in Ventpils. But the explorers of more unknown narrow gauge networks will be looked after too. In Lithuania we selected lines which we didn't visit during the FarRail Tour in 2005.

The unstable peat production in some peat fields created the problem, that we can't always guarantee trains will be running. If possible we will arrange rides on regular trains or charter a special. The experience of former tours shows us that a lot of things can only be arranged with local staff after arriving at the scene of action. Most of the lines are struggling for their existence and some may disappear – if necessary we will adapt the program.

Especially for the peat railways you need good and strong shoes and waterproof clothing. We go on our tour at the end of the summer, a few weeks before the wet season begins. But rainy days are also possible in this period.

The tour has been arranged by Udrius Armalis from Kaunas and will be guided by Albrecht Fabian. From former tours they have a good knowledge of the Baltic railways.

All peat railways only work early shifts. That's why we will usually begin the day early in the morning and have no opportunity for a warm lunch. We'll take packed lunch and in the evening the hotel will provide us with the tasty cuisine of our guest countries.

If you want to travel by land there is the following possibility:

Train to Berlin according to the 2005 timetable (will change in May!)

Booking deadline 01.08.2006

Price

Depending of the point of departure the price for travel to and from Tallinn/Vilnius can vary drastically. That is why we only present a "Land only" price. We can book flight to Tallinn and from Vilnius to suit your needs. Please note the enormous price differences between the big names and the budget airlines. Let us know if you want to fly with an established former state airline or with a newcomer.

Minimum number of participants 6
Maximum number of participants 15

Price includes:

• All transfers from Tallinn to Vilnius as stated in the itinerary
• All hotels
• Half board (breakfast and dinner), without drinks
• German and Lithuanian tourguide
• Charter trains as stated in the itinerary
• Permits and entrance fees in Lithuania

Not included:

• Drinks
• Personal expenses like telephone costs, mini bars in hotel rooms, laundry service etc.
• Tips (please expect approx. 50 Euro)
• Visa (for most EU citizens and for many other countries no visa is required)