The number of operational steam locomotives in
In any case, the number of locomotives that can be used is shrinking, and if there are not charter trains again soon, then those responsible in Sofia will probably simply let the certificates expire and abandon the possibilities of running steam specials. That is why the opportunity in October 2022 should not be missed.
The available wagons are also a problem, as usual. But we are working on it. We want to offer a passenger train with six green wagons. Three wagons from the Tsar train are available, the other three we will take from the 2047 series, of which the state railway has very few left in stock, and repaint them. The approval for repainting passenger coaches is still pending, but we have already re-painted one of them in 2017. Hence we assume that we will receive permission again in 2022.
All three of the selected lines go through hilly and mountainous areas. On the narrow gauge line you may also see snow-capped mountains in the background.
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Date |
Itinerary |
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20.10. |
Flight to |
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21.10. |
Visit to the collection of stored and dumped locomotives in Asenovo and Kaloyanovets. In the evening meeting with the other group at our hotel in Kardzhali. |
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21.10. |
Flight to |
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22.10. |
The line from Dimitrovgrad to Podkova has long been the standard route for charter trains in |
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23.10. |
On the way back north with our passenger train we start today in Dzebel and drive to Most, where the incline ends. With our charter bus we drive about three hours from there to the Grand Hotel Heber in Pazardshik. |
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24.10. |
In the morning we drive with our charter bus to Septemvri (approx. 20 km), where our narrow gauge train with 60976 is waiting for us. We will travel the first part of the day by bus and board the train later. Today we drive to Tsvetino and then roll back to Velingrad, where our hotel is located. |
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25.10. |
At sunrise we continue with our steam charter train from Velingrad. Between Tsvetino and Avramovo (1,276 m above sea level) a diesel locomotive will take us through the serpentines and the tunnels. From a photographic point of view, you won't miss much here because the route runs mainly in dense forest. Then we continue downhill with the steam locomotive. We reach Bansko at around 5 pm. Here our locomotive will be turned. |
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26.10. |
At sunrise our train will leave Dobrinishte chimney first. We drive the entire uphill section to Avramovo with the locomotive chimney first. In the evening we transfer to Pernik with our charter bus. |
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27.10. |
After a short night we’ll go with our charter bus from Pernik to Radomir, where we will meet either the 16.27 or one of the most impressive steam locomotives in |
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28.10. |
Early in the morning we continue from Kjustendil to Gjushevo. We will photograph the sunrise in the S-curves behind Kjustendil and hope that the weather will cooperate. After that, the line is mostly completely overgrown and only before Gjushevo, which we want to reach in the afternoon, are a number of nice open spots. With our charter bus we’ll continue to a hotel in |
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29.10. |
Return flight from |
Almost everywhere we’ll find sections of the line massively overgrown with bushes, so a hand saw to clean up the photo spots is part of basic photo equipment.
This line is predestined for charter trains, which is why it was always popular during earlier events. On the one hand it leads through a beautiful landscape and perhaps more importantly the number of scheduled trains on it is quite sparse, so that there is enough time for photographs. Two stone arch viaducts and the area around the reservoir are the outstanding motifs of the line. Not only will we take pictures close to the track, but we have also planned an overview shot, which requires a bit of an uphill hike. But the view is fantastic and well worth the effort. In order to make better use of our time at the best photo opportunities, we will only cover the most photogenic part of the line.
On this section we want to run a passenger train with the big 4-8-2 of the class 03. Old passenger coaches are scarce in
South-eastern Europe once had extensive narrow gauge networks with a gauge of 760 mm. Almost all of it is history, except for the narrow-gauge railway from Septemvri to Dobrinishte, where you can still experience something like long-distance travel on the so called Bosnian gauge. The Rhodope Railway was only built between 1921 and 1945 and is operated by the state railway BDŽ. On the 125 km there are 38 tunnels, hairpin bends and gradients of up to 1 in 33 needed to overcome a difference in altitude of over 1,000 metres. Based on the Saxon VIIK, BMAG (formerly Schwartzkopff) developed a reinforced version with an extended axle base for the Rhodope Railway. Five of the ordered 15 locomotives were delivered to the BDŽ in 1941, which used them on its Septemvri – Dobriniste and Varvara – Pazardjik lines. Further deliveries were prevented by the war and so it was Fablok in Chrzanów (Krenau) in
Die Bahn bietet zahlreiche schöne Fotomotive und Formsignale. Die oft parallel führende Straße wurde aber in einigen Teilen saniert und mit Leitplanken versehen, womit einige Fotomotive nicht mehr interessant sind.
The railway offers numerous beautiful photo positions and semaphores. However, the road, which often runs parallel, has been renovated in some parts and fitted with crash barriers, which means that some locations are no longer interesting. The ascent to the highest station of the state railway, Avramovo at 1267 m above sea level needs several hairpin loops. Here we will have to use a diesel helper, but as the line runs through dense forest in this section anyway, we will not miss any photo opportunities.
Today, 1,300 hp diesel locomotives are in use on the line to haul the few passenger trains and it surprises that the BDŽ still keeps this line open. But for how long?
From Radomir to Zemen there is not much to photograph, but then the railway turns into a very photogenic gorge. Unfortunately, the vegetation problem here is not to be underestimated. In addition, many of the very good photo spots are relatively narrow, and our group will have to show patience. Beyond Kjustendil, the line climbs uphill with several S-curves where we hope to photograph the sunrise. Just before Gjushevo we will find some nice photo locations.
On this line, not far from its former main area of operation
The Bulgarian State Railways are a difficult negotiating partner for special trains like the ones we want. They don't want such special trains, because with the constant restructuring, making mistakes could mean losing one's job. Only those who do nothing will not make mistakes. Responsibilities change every election anyway: why bother with something for which you will no longer be responsible in the foreseeable future? After the last election, most of the important jobs will see a new man or woman so the negotiations so far are with the old set of leaders. We hope that the compromises found so far will last beyond any changes at head office.
The railway lines in
At the time of our journey, the state railway has major track works planned on the main line, which may also have an impact on the branch lines. Delays can always occur and unexpectedly.
The steam locomotives have to be supplied with water in regular distances and this is a logistical challenge for the state railway. Our partner in
By the way, in
Meals will sometimes consist only of packaged food, because we want to make good use of the time available to us. Fixed meal times are not provided and under certain circumstances a meal may even be cancelled.
The three locomotives we plan to use on our trip are all one-offs. On the narrow gauge lines, if the locomotive fails, the program has to be cancelled but on the standard gauge lines we can probably replace a failed locomotive. If the trip has to be cancelled for any reason (even at short notice), only all monies paid can be refunded, and no further claims can be accepted. The availability of the 46.03 cannot yet be guaranteed. We are planning cautiously, i.e. with the 16.27, and then we will be happy if it becomes the 46.03 after all. Programme changes are possible at any time but with a little luck amazing photographs await us on these amazing lines.
We stay mainly in middle class hotels, to the local standards. Please note that the hotels, buses, trains, in fact everything we will encounter, do not meet Western European standards. That is why we are travelling there. We will be travelling to a country where environmental and safety concerns are not yet fully developed. As always we must point out the dangers that can arise on any railway and the importance of personal responsibility. Appropriate medical and accident insurance is recommended. Neither FarRail Tours, the local tour company nor the railways are liable for accidents of any kind, damage, losses, or any inconvenience resulting from delays, programme changes, cancellations, etc.
| Bulgaria | ||
| Mountain-Steam in Bulgaria | 35 to 50 participants | £3,140 |
| 21.10.2022 – 29.10.2022 | Single room surcharge | £300 |
| Registration Deadline: 01.06.2022 | ||
| Sofia Depot and Hidden Gems | 15 to 50 participants | £230 |
| 20.10.2022 – 21.10.2022 | Single room surcharge | £40 |
| Registration Deadline: 30.06.2022 | ||
The price includes:
Not included are:
