Hot times in Uzbekistan
After a month its off to Uzbekistan again for work. As usual, I decided to travel early to do some railfanning. The weather was to be perfectly sunny, but also 42 C (107 F) on the weekend.....so I was having serious second thoughts if this was at all a good idea.
After focusing on the mining railways last time, this time I wanted to get some more scenic shots even if it meant shooting modern power. I had seen some quite nice shots around Jizzax, as well as riding the train through there previously so made it the target for this trip.
Left work at 16:00 and headed to Frankfurt Airport for my 18:55 to Istanbul and then a redeye onto Tashkent. We were 20 early at 7:30 the next morning into TAS and after quickly retrieving my bag (business class perk), I hailed a Yandex taxi and was off to the train station. I had made the gamble I could make the 09:12 Sharq train to Jizzax and indeed, I had plenty of time to spare.
The small Tashkent airport is in the city and only about 15 minutes drive to the station. After stocking up on water and some snacks I boarded my thankfully air conditioned train. Stepping out of the train at Jizzax at 11:22 was like as Bobby Hill put it "standing on the sun". Quick taxi to my hotel, checked in and headed off for a small high sun nap. Wake up about 13:30 and prepare to brave the heat, get another yandex to drop me off at the small village Bakhmal' (No doubt he thought I was crazy). The village and railway are separated from the main road by the Sangzor River which I crossed on the rickety wooden pedestrian bridge, from there it was 2.5 km walk in to the location. Normally such a walk hardly phases me, but in the 42 degree heat, coupled with the lack of sleep I was feeling quite unwell by the end of it. Mercifully at the location there was a large shadow under one of the cliffs to hide under and I quickly went to sit and cool down. Just after 16:00 the first train popped into view, happily led by Russian built 3ES5K (3ЭC5К) 903. The freight would come hot and heavy in the westbound direction until sunset, along with a single night train with an hour delay. From my shadowed place I had a great view in both directions and it was a very pleasant place to spend the evening despite the heat. With the shadows creeping in I walked back to the main road and managed to hail a taxi back to Jizzax where after a ramen noodle dinner I promptly passed out...
Photo location shamelessly stolen from Neel Bechtiger and co. Their trip reports have helped me alot both in my railfanning and professional work in Uzbekistan rail.pictures/travelogue/881
Hot times in Uzbekistan
After a month its off to Uzbekistan again for work. As usual, I decided to travel early to do some railfanning. The weather was to be perfectly sunny, but also 42 C (107 F) on the weekend.....so I was having serious second thoughts if this was at all a good idea.
After focusing on the mining railways last time, this time I wanted to get some more scenic shots even if it meant shooting modern power. I had seen some quite nice shots around Jizzax, as well as riding the train through there previously so made it the target for this trip.
Left work at 16:00 and headed to Frankfurt Airport for my 18:55 to Istanbul and then a redeye onto Tashkent. We were 20 early at 7:30 the next morning into TAS and after quickly retrieving my bag (business class perk), I hailed a Yandex taxi and was off to the train station. I had made the gamble I could make the 09:12 Sharq train to Jizzax and indeed, I had plenty of time to spare.
The small Tashkent airport is in the city and only about 15 minutes drive to the station. After stocking up on water and some snacks I boarded my thankfully air conditioned train. Stepping out of the train at Jizzax at 11:22 was like as Bobby Hill put it "standing on the sun". Quick taxi to my hotel, checked in and headed off for a small high sun nap. Wake up about 13:30 and prepare to brave the heat, get another yandex to drop me off at the small village Bakhmal' (No doubt he thought I was crazy). The village and railway are separated from the main road by the Sangzor River which I crossed on the rickety wooden pedestrian bridge, from there it was 2.5 km walk in to the location. Normally such a walk hardly phases me, but in the 42 degree heat, coupled with the lack of sleep I was feeling quite unwell by the end of it. Mercifully at the location there was a large shadow under one of the cliffs to hide under and I quickly went to sit and cool down. Just after 16:00 the first train popped into view, happily led by Russian built 3ES5K (3ЭC5К) 903. The freight would come hot and heavy in the westbound direction until sunset, along with a single night train with an hour delay. From my shadowed place I had a great view in both directions and it was a very pleasant place to spend the evening despite the heat. With the shadows creeping in I walked back to the main road and managed to hail a taxi back to Jizzax where after a ramen noodle dinner I promptly passed out...
Photo location shamelessly stolen from Neel Bechtiger and co. Their trip reports have helped me alot both in my railfanning and professional work in Uzbekistan rail.pictures/travelogue/881