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Modern Llivery design application requires a good amount of time, taking up to a couple of days (depending on the complexity of the design). While Snälltåget's Vectron design is rather minimalist, apparently it had to be applied only partially in between the loco's cross-border travels. The picture portrays it with red sides and white cabs, running almost on time shortly before Ørestad station in Denmark's capital. Notice the additional flag decorations that have been added above the operator's logos. Up next: seeing the locomotive fully red!
Ludmillas are clearly back in fashion in Bulgaria and Euroengineering's growing fleet is probably the most vibrant example of that. One of the regular activities of the youngest freight operator in the country are infrastructure trains formed of Soviet-built hopper cars loaded with ballast. What's more this nice combo has now become a regular sight in Eastern Bulgaria where Ludmillas could be barely seen in the past.
The picture shows the 12D49M-powered 07 206 (ex-DB Cargo 233 206) in red, 07 151 (ex-DB Cargo 233 151) in yellow and 07 249 (ex-DB Cargo 233 249) in red at the tail - all part of the empty service 80691 running from Kalitinovo to Bulgarovo. Shortly after the train's arrival 07 249 headed solo to the nearby quarry...to bring loaded cars of course. But more on that later.
With many operators opting for them, Bulgarian Smartrons come in a variety of different colors. ELL 80 063 was given a rather minimalist branding by Rail Cargo Carrier Bulgaria which has it deployed on services only within the country.
81 972 aka 193 972 is the only High Power Vectron in Bulgaria. That's right, 6400 kW of power has been set for the tanker train, which is seen leaving the port of Burgas on a sunny May evening when things were, well, just better.
🔴 Train Cab Ride 🎬 video vailable from the train on the picture, just head on to YouTube ➡️ youtu.be/lCw0up49SAU
Some pictures are priceless because they happen only once.
A Ludmilla heading the copper concentrate train of DB Cargo from Chelopech to Burgas near Chekanchevo - this is exactly one of these pictures for me. Best thing about is that it was totally unexpected. When we heard that horn we knew that this was not the locomotive we were expecting to see...
This rare sight can be explained with DB's recent success of leasing ex-DSB Litra EA electrics to BDZ PP. While the exact reason will remain unknown, this view will most likely remain a once-in-a-lifetime shot. At least for now.
P.S. The Ludmilla was not driving this train by itself, of course. 88 025 (92 025) "Oscar Wilde" was in the back and after a change of direction in Sofia's Kazichane that one would become the loco leading the train to Burgas. Later in the night, 88 030 (92 030) "Ashford" would join it at Elin Pelin station for some extra traction.
No snow, but still nice clouds to give that dramatic look at the freshly overhauled 46 040 of BDZ Cargo. Leading a sulphuric acid train from Pirdop to the Port of Burgas on a day when the sun was kind to us.
With freights being diverted through the new line via Køge Nord, it is quite exciting to see freights in the open without having to leave the city. Such was the case with this Co'Co' EuroSprinter (ES64F) of DB Cargo Scandinavia. The shiny locomotive, designated as EG 3110, is heading a mixed freight towards Germany.
Bulmarket becomes the third operator in Bulgaria with Smartron locomotives. In the autumn of 2020 they bought two brand new Smartrons - 80 028 & 80 029. The second one - 029 was immediately branded with this simple, but nice livery, created by Konstantin Planinski (BackOnTrack Studios) specially for Bulmarket.
On the photo 80 029 is leading an eastbound freight train towards Plovdiv.
The preparations for DSB's upcoming services to Hamburg with DB IC1 cars are giving place to some remarkable sights on the Danish railway network. For example, today three Vectrons - EB 3216, 3242 and 3240 - were coupled to the tail of the transfer train M 6321 with seven IC1 cars, going to Padborg which was led by EB 3241 (seen way at the back). The lucky part of this shot is that the sun shined through the clouds just in time for the train which was running at 180 km/h by the Vallendsbæk lake near København.
Summer vacations are arguably the best time to switch off from most daily life activities. And I thought to myself: "My visit to Sweden should be trains-free." Just for a change, just this time...
Yeah, well, good luck with that! Not only trains remained part of our trip, they became the backbone of our transportation across Skåne.
And you know what? It turned out just fine. Take this Hectorrail timber train passing through Vittsjö for example. A nice holiday scene to remember.
Br. 5334 (185 334) of Green Cargo is entering Denmark on its way to Germany with a mixed freight originating from Sweden. It was a cold morning but the soft morning light was quite nice.
Last autumn, ME 1528 was tasked to pull a Royal charter service with a single coach. But this autumn is actually the last one of DSB's Litra ME in regular service. As of the timetable change in December, these unique diesel-electric locomotives are to be decommissioned. And while this is definitely great news for the environment, the roaring sounds of their EMD engines will be missed...
The Bulgarian Vectron fleet in a single image: both Fighters and "Kalina" - all owned by PIMK, seen in Todor Kableshkov station at dusk. Now that's what I call a lucky shot!
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DB Cargo Scandinavia recently introduced two 'werbeloks' to its regular intermodal services through Denmark. 185 326 has become a Climate Hero TRAXX (DB already has a Vectron in the same design).
On 12 July the loco was spotted nearing Copenhagen with the Bode Spedition Transport & Logistik shuttle train from Germany.
Bulmarket's 86 006 is a locomotive with an interesting history. Originally designated as EA 3003 (works number 30063), the loco was the first out of 20 EAs Scandia Randers built for DSB between 1985 and 1992 (the first 2 locos from the series were built by Henschel).
In 2007 it was sold and exported to Bulgaria where Bulmarket Rail Cargo became its new owner. That locomotive was involved in two heavy accidents while in service for the Bulgarian operator - in Hitrino (2016) and Plovdiv (2019). Although the loco itself could be hardly blamed for the derailments, the operator changed its number from 86 003 to 86 006 sometime after the second incident.
In 2022 an overhaul followed with a fresh coat of fully red paint - a first for Bulmarket EAs (excluding the latest four DSB locos which came all red, but in a different tonality). However, it wouldn't be before 2023 when the machine would get back on tracks and serving trains as it spent months inactive at Express Service's workshops near Ruse - supposedly due to a lack of spare parts. So there you have it, a Danish loco with lots of twists and turns is shining once again in Bulgaria.
Picture taken at Kamenni Karieri stop near Bulgarovo. The train number is 80699 Stara Zagora - Burgas.
EB 3240 of DSB is the 1000th Vectron. Tonight it was out for the very first time with a rake of double-deck cars. Note the passenger information system saying "Do not board this train", as these are only test drives.
🇩🇰 To learn more about Siemens' Vectron 1000, check out this article on Railcolor News: railcolornews.com/2021/11/02/eu-1000-tak-1000-vectrons-si...
About the meaning of BackOnTrack.
Do you know that feeling when you see a long forgotten, sided locomotive brought back to life?
Shining bright, ready to run and serve once again for years to come on the steel roads across the country. It does not really happen that often, but when it does, there are no words to describe it.
On the picture: 46 040 of BDZ Cargo on its second ever train since it was brought Back On Track by Reloc works from Craiova, Romania.
First time I personally see this locomotive on a train in my life.
All things come to an end and so did 40 years of Litra ME services for DSB in Denmark. It is quieter now on the 'old line' and hopefully a bit cleaner. And while it is very likely that we will see at least some of them once again (driving for freights for private operators), one thing is for sure: they will be missed.
The picture shows DSB's rather special choice for the end of services, the 'patina' ME 1511, which has both classic blue and original DSB red (but no modern branding), along with pale white spots as a livery. Yes, it might not be aesthetic, but what better way to show 4 decades of history than that? Also, it was December 11, after all so the number matches nicely. The train is 2579 (Østerport - Holbæk) which would close the night with a return trip to København H only later in the night.
Thanks for following this documental series, a video with takes from the same past week is already in the making and will hopefully be released over the holidays.
It arrived recently, still wearing the nice promotional livery, which Siemens Mobility gave it.
Now, 192 002 is already seen driving trains across its new home, Bulgaria. And while it is still uncertain whether (and for how long) it will remain with that outfit, it certainly is nice to be able to enjoy it.
Taken on 17.01.2020 in Dragoman, close to the Serbian border.
Moving on with Monday night, the second day (episode) of the final week of ME runs for DSB - a photo-series documenting the very last days of these Danish six-axle beasts.
In focus today is ME 1536 with regional service 2563, which connects København and Holbæk. Notice the blue loco to the right? It's ME 1511 and we will see it again in a few days.
The Litra ME's four decades in service for DSB have come to an end. To commemorate these unique six-axle locomotives, I did a seven-day marathon with pictures showing MEs in their very last days of service. Check back tomorrow for the next picture from the series.
This Tasmanian Y-Class diesel engine is currently at the Inveresk Museum in Launceston. In this photo montage I have put it back on one of the tracks that it may well have run on - the Fingal Line.
[No AI used in the making of this picture.]
You.............Bet.........'cha!...........but...where's the.................fun.............................................................................................................................gone??????
Since there has been no snow during the holidays this year, here's a photo from January 2016, when Ludmillas were still working on the Kalotina - Stanyantsi branch.
On the photo: the one and only 42 184 next to 07 047, which has just arrived from Stanyantsi with the second coal train for the day. The Skoda electric will take it from here to TBD, while the Soviet diesel will get back to the mine as a light engine for some more coal.
Curious to see those trains in action from that very same day? Check out the cab ride video from 07 047 on the BackOnTrack Studios YouTube channel .
And...a Happy New Year!!! 🎄 ⛄
While they are being dearly missed in Denmark, the custom-built Litra EA electrics, that were formerly owned by DSB, are thriving in Bulgaria. Depicted above is 86 013 of DB Cargo Bulgaria on an unusual route to the Bulgarian coastline. Unusual, because instead of going directly from Pirdop to Burgas, these heavy copper trains had to pass through Sofia for some time in the summer of 2020. Another EA, 86 015, was heading the train which is seen passing through Chekanchevo on a beautiful September evening.
The original livery impression of the award-winning livery design for ZSSK's special Vectron rebranding in line with the “Going by train is responsible” campaign of the operator.
In May this design was selected as the winner in the operator's open contest. Nowadays, the livery can be seen in real life on ZSSK's 383 110.
Hopefully, soon I will have the chance to see and photograph it myself.
DSB EA 3020, the last Litra EA locomotive to serve DSB, is now on its way to Bulgaria. Thus, a chapter is closed in the railway history of Denmark, as the first generation of electrics has been effectively retired from service. While it is a pity these unique machines will no longer be seen up north, a new life awaits them in the Balkans. And there will be lots of freight action for sure.
The image above shows EA 3020, as seen during a special farewell photo-shoot event organized by DSB.
🎬 Check out also the YouTube video ➡️ youtu.be/hraURTyCiiM
It can always get better. One, two, three EA3000 are seen pulling a Bulmarket fuel train originating from Burgas with Kurilo as its final destination. While 86 020 was originally pushing at the back of the train, some technical issues transferred it at the very front. And there is, actually, a fourth locomotive at the end of the train on this picture, taken in Stambolovo - 87 009.
It's Sunay afternoon and all is calm and quite around Vigerlsev Allé station when an incoming freight from Sweden enters the scene with Br 5332 (185 332) of Green Cargo in the lead.
Euroengineering has been releasing a series of colorful ex-German Ludmillas on Bulgaria's railway network. Red, yellow, green, silver, and most recently blue - these are the colors that the fleet has been given thus far. But throughout the years red has played a dominant role in Bulgaria's railway history. Perhaps this is also the reason why Euroengineering has three red Ludmillas in total. Be as it may, here is a springtime view of a 07 249 (ex-DB Cargo 233 249) leaving the Kamenni Karieri quarry near Bulgarovo with a loaded ballast train. A sight that had been had been previously reserved for BDZ Class 55 mono-cab diesels.
Fun fact: Notice the tiny ballast "hat" the locomotive is wearing on the roof of the cab facing the camera.
Green Cargo TRAXXes will be slowly phased out from the corridor between Scandinavia and Germany, as the Swedish state-owned operator is preparing to introduce Vectrons instead with the start of the new timetable.
While new electrics are nice and better in most aspects, the already limited landscape when it comes to locomotives in Denmark is about to become even less varied as more and more Siemens locos are on the way. That's why it is time to show some appreciation for the heavy workers that Bombardier built many years ago.
Picture taken at Ørestad in mid-August 2023.
As 2023 finally came to an end, I felt the need to share a personal favourite moment from that year.
The picture features a non-traditional view with a Ludmilla diesel loco working the Dolno Ezerovo - Debelt industrial branch line. What makes the photo even more special (to me) is the fact that Burgas is also seen in the background, together with Bulgaria's biggest natural lake, Vaya.
Even though I never expected such a view would materialise in front of my camera, it did. Probably a good reminder to keep trying and never give up no matter what, as surprises might always await around the corner. Wishing you all the best for 2024!
It is the last days of commercial service for Denmark's custom-built Litra ME as part of DSB. The entire fleet has been acquired by Nordic Re-Finance and will remain in Scandinavia. Seeing them in push-pull mode at speeds up to 160 km/h will likely remain a thing of the past. ME 1506 was spotted with a Dosto rake as Re 2547 to Holbæk a bit after Hvalsø in the rainy 17.11.2021 - mere weeks before the decommissioning takes place.
"Zum Greentech Festival standesgemäß mit grüner Technik und lässigen 6.400 KW."
So lautet die Werbebotschaft auf 101 068 und sie sieht durchaus ansprechend auf der Lok aus.
Heute morgen bespannte die Werbelok den IC 2005 von Emden nach Koblenz und im dritten Anlauf glückte ein Bild mit Sonne in Leer-Heisfelde.
Okay, so it might be violet. Vectron 81 972 (193 972) of PIMK Rail is switching drivers at Voluyak station, as the sun is setting down. The train represents PIMK's new petroleum coke service to Serbia. Starting in Povelyanovo, its journey is more than 550 km long.
Zum Aufnahmezeitpunkt warb die 101 068 für ein sogenanntes "Greentech Festival" in Berlin, bei dem die DB als Mobilitätspartner in Erscheinung trat. Dies unter dem Slogen "Back on Track". Am 07. August 2020 war die Lok für die Beförderung des EC 218 aus Graz eingeteilt. Im Waldstück zwischen Aßling und Grafing machte ich einen Nachschuß auf den geschobenen Fernverkehrszug.
At the time of shooting, the 101 068 promoted a so-called "Greentech Festival" in Berlin, in which DB acted as mobility partner. This under the slogan "Back on Track". On August 07th, 2020 the locomotive was scheduled to transport the EC 218 from Graz. In the wooded area between Assling and Grafing I took this picture of the long-distance train.
Sometimes special loco outfits don't last long. DSB's Vectron 1000 is a good example of that. The anniversary loco got to sport the large 'Vectron Nr. 1000' stickers on its sides only for a year. The picture shows it leaving Viby Sjæland at the back of a regional train towards Københvan.
Op 16 januari van dit jaar presenteerde DB weer een BR101 in een speciale bestickering. Dit keer was het de beurt aan de DB 101 068 welke op de zijkant een grote sticker kreeg met de tekst; "Back on Track". De locomotief maakt reclame voor het Greentech Festival wat op 19, 20 en 21 juni 2020 in Berlin Tempelhof zou plaatsvinden. Door de coronamaatregelen in Duitsland is het festival verplaatst naar september en dus zal de bestickering nog langer te zien zijn wat weer positief is voor de hobbyist. Tot nu toe wist ik de DB 101 068 in haar nieuwe jasje eenmalig vast te leggen en dat gebeurde in Bornheim.
Vlak voor een regenbui passeert de DB 101 068 "Back on Track" de hobbyisten in Bornheim. Ze is zojuist met een Eurocity naar Zwitserland vertrokken vanuit Keulen en heeft dus nog een aardige weg te gaan!
101 068 und 101 010 waren heute als Ersatzzug für den IC 2044 unterwegs. Im Hintergrund das Berger-Denkmal.
Flashback to spring 2023 and the green landscape near Kermen in Eastern Bulgaria. Thi shiny 46 002 of BDZ Cargo is heading towards Pirdop with a rather short copper concentrate train.
Late night pictures can be tricky and often unpredictable. But it all turned out well when this Snälltåget special arrived at Ørestad station. Special because there were two Vectrons on its front - the (still) white 193 965 and the inactive 193 288 which will very soon debut on the cross-border service between Sweden and Germany. Picture taken at Ørestad station in Denmark.
Sunny train pictures are nice, but when a cloud comes and the train is coming, there is not much left to do than take the photo and hope for the best... This was exactly the case with this empty DB Cargo Bulgaria copper concentrate train, pulled by an ex-DSB Litra EA loco. 86 012, formerly known as EA 3012, is seen leading freight service 30592 from Burgas to Karlovo. From there the empty cars would continue further towards the mine in Chelopech with a different loco. The city of Aitos can be seen in the background.
Welcome to Burgas - land of the 6-axle electrics: Class 46.
On the photo: 46 036 and 46 033 are awaiting departure with train 80622, while 46 012 is arriving from Burgas depot as light engine. It will be hauling another fuel train from Dolno Ezerovo.
More photos coming soon!
80 035 and 036 of BDZ PP is arrive in depot Sofia, and after a hour is depart to Poduene depot to change his livery from original Capri Blue from Siemens - to Green Force from BackOnTrack Studio! | We wait for them.
As Green Cargo is phasing out its Br(idge) TRAXX AC2 locos from operation between Sweden and Germany, new faces are appearing on the Danish railway network. The Akiem-leased Vectron 193 479 is one of these shiny electrics that are debuting on the Scandinavian corridor. This frontal shot at Københvan H features also DSB's first Litra EB Vectron '3201' for a clear comparison between the B18 and B37 configurations of Siemens' best-selling locomotive. The Green Cargo freight is on its way to Fredericia with a mixed freight from Malmö while the DSB regional train is running a few minutes late with a service to Næstved.