Slovenia Holiday 2008

[Alan]

Had a wonderful two weeks in the country, with a side trip into Austria. Rode trains most days, so saw plenty of rail action. We wanted to see all areas of the country to decide our favourite places to look for a holiday cottage. We travelled all the main lines plus some branches. http://railuk.forumup.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

Our starting point each day:
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w041.jpg

[Alan]

We arrived in Ljubljana about lunch time on friday, so took a walk down to the Ljubljanica River to find a cafe for a beer, and re-acquaint oursleves with the city.

Later went to the station to buy our Interrail passes, only to be told we could only get them from outside the country! I know they are only for non-locals but understood that by showing our passports we could get them. On the SZ website it clearly staes a number of stations within the country where they can be obtained. Had I known, I would have purchased in England before travelling. The lady on the international desk said that one year ago we could have bought them there. http://railuk.forumup.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif

However, this gave us an excuse on monday to ride EC212 to Villach, Austria to buy the tickets. We rode in Croatian air-conditioned coaches. Soon after arrival at the very efficient ticket office in Villach we had our tickets, so took a walk around the city to find a cafe for lunch (and beer) by the river. Then back to LJ to plan the trips with the 8-day passes.

A few pictures from Villach.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w08p.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ci.jpg

[Alan]

Station shunter
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0cu.jpg

One of the hundreds of Siemens "Taurus" electrics
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0a2.jpg

and a diesel version, called "Hercules"
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ac.jpg

[Alan]

Luckily, one of the older class 1044 electrics arrived
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0b4.jpg

This Slovenian "Taurus" was waiting to take our return Eurocity Express back to Ljubljana
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0c5.jpg

[Alan]

For the first trip with our Interrail passes on tuesday, we rode to Dobova on the Croatian border. We passed a section of line where the overhead was being repaired on the adjacent track.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0e3.jpg

The modern station at Dobova also houses the police and customs offices.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0gj.jpg

Here I saw my first two Croation (HZ) locos. The first one took over our train.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0gq.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0hg.jpg

[Alan]

Almost all the electric railcars are now of the Siemens Desiro type.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0h0.jpg

The interior of our Siemens Desiro back to Zidani Most.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0xm.jpg

The driver invited me into the cab to take pictures of the control desk.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0xr.jpg

And continued to explain all the controls and show me the computer displays, which include all sorts of diagnostics.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0xv.jpg

[Alan]

Next day we took IC503 'Pohorje Express' to Divaca, to visit the Scocjan Caves. Divaca is a big station as it is a major junction between the main lines to Sezanna/Trieste and the line to Koper and the port. Many heavy freights pass through here and many stop for a crew change. Due to severe gradients, freights to Koper have a loco on the reae to assist with traction or braking.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0gl.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0g4.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w044.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0gb.jpg

[Alan]

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0xx.jpg

Some of the graffitti on railcars is quite artistic!
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0xs.jpg

On the way back I set my DSLR to 'continuous' and took lots of photos of the ballast loaders at Verd as we passed. The one on my layout is to be based on this.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w085.jpg

[Alan]

More to come........ ;)

[Stourbridge Lion]

:tb-cool: :tb-cool: :tb-cool: :tb-cool:

[Peirce]

Very interesting series. I have always like the looks of the modern European rail equipment.



:bear-biggrin:

[Alan]

Thanks Pierce. I love the european railways because of the variety. Many freight and passenger vehicles from neighbouring countries pass through Slovenia making freight trains very interesting.

We rode in passenger cars from Slovenia, Croatia and Czech Republic during our two week stay! Some locomotives also cross borders if they are multi-voltage types, like the Taurus electrics. Austrian ones are regularly seen deep into the country. Italian electric locos occasionally venture to Ljubljana, but we did not see one during our visit.

[BoxcabE50]

For the first trip with our Interrail passes on tuesday, we rode to Dobova on the Croatian border. We passed a section of line where the overhead was being repaired on the adjacent track.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0e3.jpg



Neat. After seeing the Milwaukee Road versions, I've always wondered about other trolley troubleshooter cars.

Boxcab E50

[Alan]

Interesting vehicles, Ken. here is a newer one, on the same section of track
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0e9.jpg

Cable drum wagon
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ei.jpg

another of the older ones
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ep.jpg

These are known as Tezka Motorno Dresina (TMD) :)

[Alan]

Next day, Ljubljana, a 40-year-old diesel railcar, looking like new!
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ar.jpg

We were taking a ride to Metlika on the south western border with Croatia. At Grosuplje was one of the many plinthed steam locos on the system, class 51 2-6-2T
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0bd.jpg

....and a 2-6-0 at Trebnje
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0e4.jpg

[Alan]

Metlika
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0gm.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0hy.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0jc.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0h8.jpg

[Alan]

Next place we visited was the second city, Maribor. (More like a large town by our standards!). A very pleasant place we instantly liked.

A 362 "Bellows" made an appearance, light engine, to take over an Austria-bound intermodal train brought in by a diesel. The 362's are a bit thin on the ground these days, so it was good to see one running.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0as.jpg


It took over the intermodal.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0b8.jpg

A 342 "Moped" arrives.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0bt.jpg

is uncoupled
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w09b.jpg

[Alan]

which provides work for the busy class 643 station pilot
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w09q.jpg

[SteamDonkey74]

Nice stuff. I love seeing European equipment, especially in places like Slovenia where lots of locos and consists cross from other countries.

[Alan]

Yeah, that is exactly what I like about Slovenia. Having borders with Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, a lot of different passenger and freight stock enters or passes through the country.

Most lines are electrified and bordering countries mostly have different voltages so locos change at the borders, which makes the border stations interesting. :)

Although Austrian 'Taurus' locomotives are multi-voltage and are regularly seen deep into Slovenia, and SZ Taurus also run into Austria.

There is one (irregular) turn by an Italian locomotive which runs through to Ljubljana Zalog yard with a freight.

[BoxcabE50]

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ep.jpg

These are known as Tezka Motorno Dresina (TMD) :)

Why the grilles covering windows?

Boxcab E50

[SteamDonkey74]

Maybe the grilles are for keeping rocks falling down the mountain from clobbering the engineers?

Of couse, that would leave the passengers vulnerable, no?

[Alan]

As these are engineers vehicles and are running through work areas I guess they are just protecting the windows from any debris. The windows are of course much nearer the ground than on a locomotive.

There are lots of different types of TMD, here is another variety.
http://images.fotopic.net/yplv4u.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/yplv4t.jpg

[Alan]

Next day, saturday 5th july, we made a point of being at the station in Ljubljana as a steam trip was leaving early afternoon for Naklo during the 100 year celebrations of the line. A steam loco was placed on a plinth at Naklo.

A nice clean "Spanka" 644 was stabled.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0cd.jpg

These were built in Spain under licence from EMD
http://images.fotopic.net/y6z9s4.jpg

Quite a lot of freight trains pass the station, this one is a 363 "Brigitte" on side-tipper ballast wagons.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0a1.jpg

A mixed freight headed by an Austrin "Taurus".
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0a8.jpg

[Alan]

The class 25 steam loco arrives from Siska Roundhouse, just round the corner and backs onto the waiting 4-wheel coaches.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0bp.jpg

The regular steam crew.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0do.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w04w.jpg

[Alan]

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w04e.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0i8.jpg

[Alan]

One of the Slovenian contacts I had arranged to meet was Stani, conductor of the steam trips.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0h4.jpg

Other Vlaki forum members I had been in contact with. The one in red bought me a beer. :)
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0i2.jpg

[Alan]

Myself and Milan from the forum.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0x3.jpg

Myself near the 25
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ix.jpg

[Alan]

Departure time and 25-026 heads for Naklo.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0js.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w083.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w08q.jpg

Followed by the 'fire protection vehicle'!
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0a4.jpg

[Alan]

One of the 541 Taurus electrics.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0aj.jpg

and another 362 which has just arrived with an intercity train. :)
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w09i.jpg

[Alan]

We returned in the evening to see the steam train return. Here the loco has uncoupled, run round and is heading back to the roundhouse.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w04d.jpg

Night shot of a 342
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0gp.jpg

[Alan]

The following day, Sunday, we again took a train to Maribor. The scenery along the route is stunning, so we were happy to take another look.

In LJ station several locos were stabled including Brigittes and Mopeds in both earlier yellow livery and the later red.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0hn.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0is.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0i9.jpg

[Alan]

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ih.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0xa.jpg

[Alan]

342-027 was at the head of our train to Maribor, the EC100 Jose Plecnik, Ljubljana-Prague.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0xt.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w089.jpg

We rode in a Czech air-conditioned coach.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w08v.jpg

[Alan]

A line up of locos at Pragersko as we passed.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ba.jpg

ICS17 in Maribor, ready to head back to Ljubljana.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w09d.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w09l.jpg

[Alan]

Plenty of freights run on Sundays. Here are two 363's awaiting departure.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w090.jpg

A 363 arrives with an Austrian express, heading back home.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w04v.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0gd.jpg

[Alan]

On monday we took a diesel railcar for the short run (about 45min) to Kamnik, which is a small town with many medieval buildings. At Domzale we crossed another railcar heading to LJ.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0x9.jpg

Railcar crossing the road just past the station in Kamnik.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0xh.jpg

At the station this old buffet car is in use as a cafe - selling kebabs!
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w08g.jpg

[Alan]

A 'Djurica' was at the station between freight duties, with the crew van usually used on pick-up freights. This gave me a good opportunity to take detailed photos of the van, as I am going to kitbash one (or two).
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0a3.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0b5.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w08c.jpg

[Alan]

Kamnik station.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0aa.jpg

Goods shed
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0cv.jpg

Steam loco water spout still survives.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0a0.jpg

[NW AL]

Thank you for sharing these photos and your experiences. The last time I traveled by rail in Europe there was still an "Iron Curtain" so we only traveled as far East as Austria. Trains did go from Vienna north into what was then Czechoslovakia but we did not take them. Some day I would like to go back.

[Hytec]

Very interesting, thanks Alan.

[Alan]

Thank you for sharing these photos and your experiences. The last time I traveled by rail in Europe there was still an "Iron Curtain" so we only traveled as far East as Austria. Trains did go from Vienna north into what was then Czechoslovakia but we did not take them. Some day I would like to go back.

Yes, it is great to be able to take a train and travel through several countries, seeing a huge variety of trains. :)

[Alan]

Very interesting, thanks Alan.

Thanks Hank. More to come.... ;)

[Alan]

We had the great pleasure of a visit to SZ Central Workshops. The manager was busy in a meeting, so after briefly welcoming us and presenting us with some umbrellas with the SZ workshops logo (our visit was during a thunderstorm), we were shown round by our friend Misko, who knows the place intimately.

Brigitte - undressed!
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w09m.jpg

A Brigitte bogie minus the motor, but complete with the high/low gearbox.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w09z.jpg

Me in the cab of a 362 'Bellows'. (Photo by Misko Kranjec)
http://www.andersley.co.uk/forums/ZEL08-7351_CD_Lj-Moste_COX.jpg

[Alan]

Wheels, gears, bearings...
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0eo.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ev.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w045.jpg

[Alan]

Misko and myself
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w040.jpg

Brigitte bogie with the huge double motor
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0xp.jpg

Works shunter - looking like a model!
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0x1.jpg

[Alan]

Maintenance bay line-up
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0j8.jpg

Misko photographing me, under a Brigitte!
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w070.jpg

http://www.andersley.co.uk/forums/ZEL08-7374_CD_Lj-Moste_COX.jpg

363 (Brigitte) motors are actually two motors on one shaft. Here the commutators have been skimmed and are now having the grooves machined, controlled by computer and laser.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ak.jpg

[Alan]

One of the two remaining "Kennedy" class 661's, it has been repaired and is being test run. These locomotives have an EMD 567 prime mover.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0dt.jpg

664 "Spanka". These are EMD 645 powered
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0e5.jpg

Diesels and diesel railcars are mostly repaired at Maribor works, but here is a diesel railcar being repainted after overhaul.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ik.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0cg.jpg

[Alan]

Many class 362 and some 342 were stored outside. The 362 are the original locos when the railway was electrified.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0ig.jpg

The rain can be seen in this picture....
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0hx.jpg

....hence the umbrellas!
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w04j.jpg

[Alan]

This 342 will not run again....
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0e1.jpg

looks like fire damage
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0eh.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0cm.jpg

[Alan]

The very first electric locomotive in the country when only a short route was electrified was this Italian class 361 known as "Musselini". This is on display near the works entrance.
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0xc.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0c2.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0c8.jpg

[Alan]

This 361 is in a sorry state...
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0d2.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0da.jpg

[Alan]

When we went back inside, a Brigitte had been lifted off her bogies
http://images.fotopic.net/y6w04l.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0em.jpg

Some of the staff insisted on being photographed with us! (Photo by Misko)
http://www.andersley.co.uk/forums/ZEL08-7614_CD_Lj-Moste_COX.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/y6w0gx.jpg

A most enjoyable visit - I could have stayed all day if possible as there are countless photographic possibilities.

[Hytec]

Alan, your photo of the Brigette bogie without motors, but with a "high/low" gearbox implies that the driver can "shift" gears while on the road. Is this true, or is there another purpose for the gearbox?

Again, many thanks for a fascinating tour. I especially enjoy visiting shops, whether in reality or vicariously......:tb-cool:

[Alan]

Hank, in common with a lot of earlier French locomotives (Brigittes are French build - as the name suggests) there is high gear for passenger work and low gear for freight. Don't think it can be changed whilst in motion, but is set before starting.

[Hytec]

Sounds like a very economical feature. Did it gain much acceptance throughout Europe? I assume it would be economical only if service were near 50:50 freight/passenger. Sadly, no need for this in the States.

[Triplex]

I assume it would be economical only if service were near 50:50 freight/passenger. And only as long as freight and passenger are handled by the same companies.

[Alan]

As far as I know France was the main place where gearing is/was used. Most locomotives are dual use, so it does make them more universal. Most modern locomotives have one motor per axle as in diesels, but many older French locos have these huge motors driving three axles through gearboxes and gears on each axle.

The 363's in Slovenia are about equally used on freight and passenger.