Some photos of smaller diesel types from a recent quick trip. WordPress have changed their editor and it seems to particularly dislike images being entered individually so whilst I work out how it now works things might look a bit more scrappy!
Archive for the ‘Slovakia’ Category
Single Cab Diesels
Bratislava Spin Day Jan 2019
2016 015 pushes out of Devinska Nove Vez with the 0716 Vienna – Bratislava
The train back was of far higher quality as 240136 roared in on the 0722 Kuty – Bratislava. Whilst the first coach is in true ZSSK Dbtmee suburban stock condition, the middle two are those that are now being refurbished with plastic seats, plug sockets and the like.
The fleet of two Skoda 381’s still give ZSSK reliability issues, 381002 departs ECS for the yard after working the 1022 Kuty – Bratislava
383105 brings the 0607 Kosice – Bratislava in
With Gorilla power in 350014 on the 0711 Kosice – Wien IC right behind it. This train now reverses and continues via Petzralka and Kitsee to Wien Hbf with a ZSSK Vectron rather than continuing as a regular Bratislava – Wien REX service as per previous years.
A very short blast of afternoon sun at Devinska where a recently outshopped 240001 was awaiting the road south. Long term resident bank engine 751203 had been replaced with 751185 which is unfortunately just as silenced.
‘45148’ trundles light through Bratislava and is one of the many pretend Bulgarian registered and numbered locos that are ex-CD 242s. This one is the former 242218 leased to LTE by ZOS Zvolen. Info on the four actual Bulgarian locos that operate in CZ/SK can be found over here in the Bulgarian section of the site
I think this was my first Bratislava visit with all the hauled push-pull sets doing what they were supposed to with 263s and 381s. However evidently some rancid trunk had blown up during the day as 240089 appeared for the 1809 Bratislava – Nove Zamky vice the booked cart.
Slovakia late December
In the midst of a massive rainstorm, “Cargo” 383202 arrives at Zilina on the 0807 Kosice – Bratislava alongside 163111 which was being prepped for a local departure. This Vectron is one of three 383/2 that had been returned from ZSSK lease to ZSSK Cargo but is yet to be re-vinyled and had stuck back onto passenger duties so was duly scooped.
A little later and 751191 formed up a short breakdown train in Zilina Yard. I didn’t see what had been thrown off the road requiring the assistance of this monster.
Double-Skoda 131062/131061 head north through Kysucke Nove Mesto with a train of empty box hoppers
162007 is one of right remaining at ZSSK with most others now being coverted to dual voltage 361s. Its fairly fresh out of overhaul at Prerov and now has a sticker number on the side rather than the old, or even replacement plastic, plate. Seen at Zilina prior to working the 1554 Ruzomberok
Main reason for being in Slovakia was for the Vrutky Museum’s Christmas outing on 29 December. Ex-CD 749246 is seen at Kralovany after shunting to the branch platform on an 0812 Vrutky – Trstena charter. A nice new one for me this.
749246 midway up the branch at Oravsky Podzamok, carrying a plate of its original form as 752011. This loco and sister 749248 are old Jesenik locos now preserved by spolok výhrevne vrútky but sadly only get out a couple of times a year.
749248 on the rear at Oravsky Podzamok.
749246 at Trstena ready to work the return which included a lunch break at Oravsky Podzamok to visit the local brewpub which was convenient.
October Weekend
751062 was making its self known shunting some wagons around Bratislava Predmesti prior to the days local trip workings.
751127 was having a lie in and remained dossed at the newly rebuilt Predmesti all morning
A depressing day for goldfish workings around Bratislava. Just seven worked off 13 diagrams and no vice on other turns either. Even Trnava-Kuty turns were being worked by 362s vice 240. ‘115 is seen during the Pezinok photostop on the 0934 Galanta – Bratislava Nove Mesto, some classic Slovak suburban wrecks behind although there are now a few that are refurbed with plastic seats but I expect externally they’ll be like this soon enough!
Some super Skoda power at Bratislava Predmesti, 350012 after bringing some ECS round from the main station and 240115 helpfully parked alongside. There are far more trains here coming in via Predmesti now with roughly hourly Senec units and Galanta via Trnava hauled trains which are mainly booked for 361s.
AWT 740681 & 740682 trundle through Svaty Jur with a southbound set of loaded cartics
242280 with its current pretend number of 242559 rolls into Bratislava with a rake of steel wagons heading for Kuty off the Nove Zamky line
The Slovak new order is ten Vectrons for the length R trains between Bratislava and Kosice. Here 383107 propels the empties off R602. As some of the last long, full service IC conventional services in Europe now its sad to see the loss of endemic power. Gorillas – for now – remain in charge of the shorter, cumpolsory res, IC services at least.
240073 was the only goldfish of the three booked to work REX trains in from Nove Zamky in the peak. It is seen here bringing the empties out the yard and into Bratislava before running round to form the 1431 Nove Zamky.
240054 at Malacky after working the 1650 from Pezinok
Next door again for a last blast of grumpy thrash for this years season… Just easing off the stock, 749121, 0846 Praha – Breznice
Only another one because its parked in a different place and not underneath that tree!!
242216 at Strakonice after working from Ceske Bud on the 0730 Brno – Plzen which I had picked up at Protivin off the 854 from Breznice.
An enjoyable afternoon heading cross-country to Brno with 242208, 242281 & 750710 doing the honors in time for to pick up 754016 on the return table 251 weekend bike train. The front coach was a refurb I’ve not seen before with very plastic seats in the Bdmtee “hopper window” stock
The routes from Brno to Olomouc and Prerov remain a very real vibe with most trains hauled by traditional locos and compo stock, here at Nezamyslice 362046 on the 0918 Brno – Sumperk/Jesenice (L) is awaiting for a unit to come down from Prostejov whilst 362163 passes from the Prerov direction working the 0828 Bohumin – Brno
In an excellent bit of work by the Olomouc loco arranger, 163029 was my forward loco on the 1024 Nezamyslice – Olomouc (via Prerov). This is one of just three PKP-fitted 163s retained by CD passenger for limited EC work north of Bohumin with the rest of the large fleet formerly used by PKP Regio now being passed to CD Cargo so
744502 was a big attraction on the annual Autumn running day between Kojetin and Tovacov. The loco is of CKD 1970 heritage as a prototype and it (and scrapped 774501) would lead to the many hundreds of 740s and 742s. The 744 made quite a racket compared to its heavily silenced production brethren, shame they don’t all sound like this one!
West Slovakia Cargo Tour, Feb 2018
Another superb “Grumpy Railtours” operation through KZC taking 749259 from Prague across to Slovakia and a couple of days around Zilina where some juicy Slovak Cargo locos were booked to join the festivities. I was booked on the late Friday Stansted-Prague and the clock watching had begun long before a pair of 379s and EI-DCI finally got me away from work and into play!
Saturday morning and a pause at Olomouc to remove a coach (KZC positioning move) meant time for a quick phot and raid of Pontmark for some breakfast supplies. We had grabbed a compo in the tolerated ned section of the front coach and settled in to enjoy many hours of “bardotka” music for the next four days and suddenly all ills had been left at home…!
After reaching Zilina via the Horni Lidec route we had 751112 added to work in top and tail mode to Zwardon (well the signal outside) and Mackov where it is seen here. Shortly after this the unit departed and the floodlights were turned off which given the underfoot conditions wasn’t ideal for fifty people trying to pile back onboard with cameras and/or beers in hand!
Sunday morning, and it was a visit to the Rajec branch. The provided Chemelak was a loud 771054 (blowing my 770 loud / 771 stuffed theory up in the process) and is seen here during a double run-round with 749259 which was doing its best to warm the train up.
771054 ready to return us from Rajec to Zilina, presumably its freight didn’t run on Sunday which allowed us to have it. The following two days it was heard making a racket as it departed Zilina presumably for Rajec again on the morning wagonload.
751191 was doing the bulk of the days work and is seen here at the very end of the freight only branch to Ruzomberok Male (home of trolleydog!). This is a 2km stub of the former narrow gauge line to Korytnica (closed 1974) and passes right through town leading to some bemused locals as we trundled there and back.
The afternoon was taken to do table 181 to Trstena, in wintry conditions 751191 is seen at Medzibrodie nad Oravou after we had done the siding to the Siroka steelworks with a bonus scratch with their private lego brick 704 bringing us back atop 749259, just because they could be all accounts and I don’t think there were any complaints aomngst those on the train
Photostop at Podbiel further up the Trstena line, for a change the ever present CSD station floodlight was in the right place for a change!
The days dinner stop was at Oravsky Podzamok for a brewery visit albeit we hadn’t been quick enough to sign up so just popped to a local resturant and had plenty of time to grab some photos using improvised tripods. I really like this view of 751191 lit up nicely.
Day three and 749259 at Horni Lidec in excellent conditions after climbing up from Diviacky. Not sure if ‘259 had any issues (the EH was being turned on and off a lot) but the driving was noticeably steady although the climbs en-route meant even this meant a decent amount of noise.
One we didn’t have – 751204 on the fueller at Prievidza
751047 at Prievidza during a short blast with it from Prievidza Yard to Nitrianske Pravno. Shame it couldn’t have stopped on for longer back up to Horna Stubna as I thought this one sounded really good and the driver was certainly up for it!
After completing a Prievidza – Horna Stubna – Zvolen – Banska Bystrica – Zilina circuit the previous day, all that was left for ‘259 to get us back to Prague on the Tuesday. Seen here just back into Czecho at Horni Lidec after running round ready to head down the branch to Bynlice. Due to a points failure we were the best part of ninety late from here through to Prague going via Brno, Jihlava and Kutna Hora. The inconsequential delay was about the only thing that wasn’t like clockwork for the four days, a superb tour spent with great company, cheers chaps!
Slovakia Quick Trip
Only a Friday to Sunday outing this. Flew with Wizz to Brno and the pilot being a merchant meant I made the lunchtime EC to Bratislava. One goulash and dark Kozel later, 380015 deposited me at Bratislava where I wa basically setting up the deckchair for the afternoon rush hour. The plan was to cover the various afternoon trains booked for ZSSK’s finest electrics the venerable 240s which are slowly but surely losing work and on paper have little off-peak work around Bratislava. I’d barely sat down when winner 240100 rolled in vice 362 on an inbound from Banska Bystrica. With the outbound Banksa also in the hands of a Laminátka it was looking good as these were 362 diagrams. Picked up 240046 on a peak Nove Zamky and then a winning 361 whilst waiting for 240100 to go back – thankfully this survived the Bratislava whirlpool and was taken out for a run to intercept the next inbound which also produced a 240 vice 362.
A welcome development was the use of these old girls on most of the Bratislava-Zvolen route services rather than the booked 362 “box”. Not long after I’d arrived 240100 arrived into Bratislava on 1359 arrival from Banksa Bystrica. This was a winner, so a nervy two hour wait to hope it went back out on the 1601…it did!
240046 shows the classes interesting body lines well as it sits prior to working the 1501 Nove Zamky
I had a transit move to Prievidza on the 1839 off Bratislava which meant I could cover just one more 240 turn, and was aghast to see required 240036 on the train but dead inside a poxy 263. Not content with bowling me out for 242s around Brno the Slovak ones were now getting in on the act too! Slightly miffed I at least had 240068 vice 363 to Leopoldov for a new goggle in 757015 up to Prievidza by which time I was in need of an early night.
Saturday was the main event – a Prievidzský Parostrojný spolok charter from Prievidza to Vrutky that I’d seen advertised on the main nostalgia poster on my last visit. I’d been in contact by email and they ahd advised the outward would actually be steam hauled but I was welcome to travel on the “fire train” with 751131, so I was a little unsure what to expect as I rocked up at a cloudless Prievidza on Saturday morning. What I wasn’t expecting was big and orange 749248! However this was shut down on a water tank and noises from elsewhere suggested ‘131 wasn’t far away and sure enough it soon backed on two real ZSSK compo coaches. After eventually finding the right organiser and told to make myself at home I took the front compo behind ‘248 for a loud climb up to Horna Stubna with the water tank and dead loco adding decent weight. After reversal at Horna Stubna 751131 duly entered the book – thankfully no fireman sam stops were required!
This was what I’d turned out for! 751131 had been advertised on a PPS charter from Prievidza to Vrutky, which then turned into a kettle with the 751 on the fire train. Fair play to the organisers who were more than happy to seat me on it – I was pretty glad when two coaches were attached to the tank wagon! – and 749248 was put on the front for a loud ascent to Horna Stubna
Said 749248 is seen here pausing at Handlova during a pathing stop
It was all action at Horna Stubna, we arrived as the kettle was running round and, 754069 is seen awaiting time on the 1017 Prievidza (hauled on weekends) and there was even a few Cargo 736s shunting some wagons (with logs on, obviously)
749246 looking good on display at Vrutky. Still a winner this, one to keep an eye on!
The open day had a good selection of diesel and electric power on display, here 771093 and 140047 are seen with a ZOS 742 behind.
751131 at Vrutky Museum having formed up the return charter which it worked throughout back to Prievidza
There was around four hours at the open day, which had a decent selection of diesel and electric power positioned for photos if you had more patience than me to wait for people to get out the way. After a fill in electric move to Zilina for a beer I also scooped juicy double electric 131041/131042 pushing a PW trolley up and down a siding with lots of normals – desperate indeed! 751131 worked throughout solo on load six, the sustained climb to Horna Stubna from a standing start at Turcianksa Teplice was slow and loud, just the way it should be!! Connected into the afternoon R train back to Bratislava with double duds in 757019 and 361102 – with hindsight I probably should have leapt for a 736 we crossed on a vice DMU turn but didn’t fancy the late finish and unit miles this would have meant!
240022 in its unique livery pauses at Sa’a on the 0801 Bratislava – Banksa Bystrica
Same place as usual for 751203, parked at Devinska Nova Vez between banking duties. This one could do with going through works and having its pesky silencer removed!
Sunday isn’t the most productive day around Bratislava so I headed out for some 240 miles to Sa’la on more Banska Bytsrica R trains that were 240 vice 362, 022 out for 098 back. Took advantage of a winning ‘Tony’ in 2016 021 on the 1038 Wien before setting up for a few photos awaiting the EC to Brno where I was again taking advantage of cheaper flights.
Gorilla 350012 and a rake of aircons look smart as they rollout of Bratislava with the 1155 Kosice. They didn’t hold this for a late running EC…
…which was 380006 seen here departing Bratislava via the trainspotting platform for Budapest
Shortly followed by 240098 on the 1201 Banksa Bystrica. All aircons at the front of this one which if they were working properly could be welcome in the heat.
Due to yet more engineering work around Brno, all north to south through services are going via the avoider all summer calling at Brno Dolni vice the Hlavni. Parked up were two FAUR LDH125s, ex CSD 748537 / 538 if the numbers are to be believed. I’d actually planned to get one of the Breclav locals that still run in (and terminate) at Brno Hlavni, but my 242 leap was thwarted by a poxy 263 being on the front of the train so I flagged it!
1216 235 shoves away from Brno Dolni with the 1025 Graz to Praha. I’m not convinced the use of Dolni is going to work very well, there isn’t exactly much there and a very small waiting area for two narrow platforms (and a foot crossing of the lines) seems like a bit of a recipe for chaos!
Slovakia April 2017
Slovakian Trip, built around having a loco that is tricky to nail on advertsied passenger working – the Slovak Museum grumpy 751201 which runs under the Albatross Klub banner. It was advertised as working Bratislava – Kosice for the Rusnoparade 2017 open day, out from Bratislava Friday and back Monday, so we’d have the weekend around Kosice. It didn’t quite work out like that, but the trip delivered plenty of goodies.
After working via Previdza, Horna Stubna and Zvolen, 751201 takes a breather at Brezno with the 0817 Bratislava – Kosice Charter. At this stage the layers we’d packed for the forecast snow seemed wasted!
We soon climbed into some fair snow coverings however, 751201 here at Červená Skala on the line from Zvolen to Kosice via Margecany. Just a single wheelie bin trailer for company at this lonely location, waiting to cross a goggle before the climb up to Telgart.
Deep snow at Mylinky, sadly the light had just about died as we awaited a unit before proceeding east.
Advertised around the open day was a Kosice – Mezdev trip, CRW’s 742193 was kicked out on some wooden four wheelers. We confused the staff by only going as far as Molsdava – to be honest it was long enough in that stock – for a goggle back. Would have been nice to do the closed branch, but a silent loco and wedged wooden seats were off-putting enough!
750300, 150224 and 163104 make a colourful line up on Kosice depot. ‘300 is one of now few passenger 750s in Slovakia, most being rebuilt to 757s, we hoped it would kick out on a Sunday extra, needless to say it didn’t!
One of the open day stars was Slovak ‘M62’ 781312, freshly back in action after twenty odd years demic after starring in “Peacemakers” film with George Clooney and Nicole Kidman – at least we could understand that being blazed over the PA. Sadly the M62 – like other exhibits – didn’t work passenger trains though. Amusingly Hungarian outfit CRS had tried to send 47375 – it was in the programme – but the duff was AWOL having yet again failed to get off Keleti shed!
163106 at Kosice after working 1642 ex Presov. You can just make out the 5-car 460 EMU tagged on the rear – this train works throughout in tandem.
Wasn’t a lot to go on Sunday afternoon, so took of to take some photos. Typically the freight decided to take a couple of hours off, so here is 362003 approaching Margecany with the 1432 (SuO) Bratislava – Kosice, load 14
The other way, Regiojet 162112 flies through with the 0744 Praha – Kosice. The yellow team have now ordered a load of Traxx so the days of Czech power on these trains are numbered.
‘Bent Goggle’ 757025 rests before going out on the 1601 Kosice – Humenne.
721030 sits at Kosice – sadly not on a short passenger working – but a couple of coaches shunted off one of the overnights. We’d just flagged the return tour as it was 350001 with the 751 dead on rear – told you it was a difficult loco to have! I’d have to offer caution to anyone booking with Albatross Klub, particuarly if its advertised as diesel under the wires, apparently the electric use is free so saves a tank of fuel, cranks be damned…
This wasn’t in the script! Sulking on our 361 south, we rolled into Zilina to see scabby Cargo box 363099 on a local so bailed off rather rapidly! Seen at Varin on the 1334 Zilina – Poprad stopper. Changed the plan and stayed around here for the afternoon.
757014 rolls into Vrutky looking very corporate with the 1334 Banska Bystrica to Ostrava Svinov. Goggle would work to Zilina for an electric forward, and return on the opposite working which we duly scooped in.
Transitted across to Brno for the flight home, wasn’t expecting this to run up between 242 moves. KZC’s 749259 approaches Tisnov with a OHL test car, it dropped a few staff off and then erupted north in fine style 🙂
Couldn’t resist a 242 phot! 242268 at Tisnov after wotkung
*RARE* Field Standing Action
Being somewhat lazy and most content with platform phots, it generally requires something of significant interest to make me dash to a lineside location. As there is no danger of me getting most of this trip (or the one before) uploaded any time soon, here is one of those occurrences:
Between Goggle (and an 810) leaps along Table 170, my sunbathing at Turčianske Teplice was disrupted by the sighting of a freight being recessed at Diviaky at the bottom of the hill. Once it got the road there was no doubt it was something worth my time – 751047, 751035 and 751084 making a fine racket drawing a cement train up the bank heading south towards Horna Stubna.
Czech Rep March 2016
Finally, the middle of March saw the 2016 European book opened! Started off in Czech Republic for a few days, just doing Prague and Plzen before heading to Austria via Bud. Had planned to do the Klatovy 754s but flooding closed that line and also digging between Plzen and Bud on the Monday curtailed 242 moves so I re-hashed a bit in the end!
Captions on here at upload for a change, I will try and get the rest of the week (OBB and SZ) up in good time! Adding a few phone photos where I’m too lazy to dig the camera now as well, so will see how that goes…
August “Summer” Holiday: Slovakia
A much needed full week away! There will be a couple of parts to this as I managed to take quite a few photos, by my standards anyway, and as we did a whistlestop tour there is enough variety to (hopefully) keep it interesting.
First stop off the plan was Slovakia, where a bash was well overdue. We had Saturday afternoon through to Monday evening and the name of the game was to concentrate on the classic Laminatka “goldfish” which I really do rate, and pick up whatever else was available between them. Managed a decent haul, although the Monday peak could have gone better, a case of the wrong move (but it was all blind!) Thoroughly enjoyable storming around on the goldfish and with the number of station bars even deckcharing wasn’t exactly a chore! The weather had somewhat blown up by Monday lunchtime so our next move into Hungary was in a fast taxi rather than the planned walk over the Danube… to follow!
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