Bardotka x4
Continuing my Slovakia series...
After two successful days on the electrified mainline, I decided to try something a bit more challenging since I already had many good shots in the bag. The southern Slovakian mainline between Kosice and Zvolen is still unelectrified and still hosts a fair number of freight trains. The most scenic segment is between Turna and Bodvou and Roszvana where the line climbs a steep grade to traverse the Slovak karst mountain range.
On this segment there are still a number of daily freight trains, though in reality some trains only operate when there is demand. A relatively sure bet is the loaded limestone train Pn 51154 from Turna nad Bodvou to the cement works in Slavec. The heavy train (by European standards) is still the domain of the 751 class Bardokta locomotives, with 1-2 pushers needed.
The line is not easy to photograph without a car as local passenger services were discontinued years ago, but after figuring out that there was atleast some local bus service I put together a plan. The morning was rather unproductive with thick fog in Turna nad Bodvou, but the skies cleared and I headed for my planned shot at Lipovník. Running only about 20 minutes behind schedule, Pn 51154 starts it descent from the crest of the grade in the Jablonovský tunnel and is about to reenter the double track at the long closed for passenger service Lipovnik station. This shot is of course hardly original, as evidenced by the trees chopped by other fans (Thanks! :D) but getting such a cool train at such a location makes it an easy shot of the trip for me!
Bardotka x4
Continuing my Slovakia series...
After two successful days on the electrified mainline, I decided to try something a bit more challenging since I already had many good shots in the bag. The southern Slovakian mainline between Kosice and Zvolen is still unelectrified and still hosts a fair number of freight trains. The most scenic segment is between Turna and Bodvou and Roszvana where the line climbs a steep grade to traverse the Slovak karst mountain range.
On this segment there are still a number of daily freight trains, though in reality some trains only operate when there is demand. A relatively sure bet is the loaded limestone train Pn 51154 from Turna nad Bodvou to the cement works in Slavec. The heavy train (by European standards) is still the domain of the 751 class Bardokta locomotives, with 1-2 pushers needed.
The line is not easy to photograph without a car as local passenger services were discontinued years ago, but after figuring out that there was atleast some local bus service I put together a plan. The morning was rather unproductive with thick fog in Turna nad Bodvou, but the skies cleared and I headed for my planned shot at Lipovník. Running only about 20 minutes behind schedule, Pn 51154 starts it descent from the crest of the grade in the Jablonovský tunnel and is about to reenter the double track at the long closed for passenger service Lipovnik station. This shot is of course hardly original, as evidenced by the trees chopped by other fans (Thanks! :D) but getting such a cool train at such a location makes it an easy shot of the trip for me!