SZ Slovenia Trip Report 14-18 July 2025

Probably the shot of the trip (even if the car tyre was rapidly deflating just meters behind us!)- 363 022 with a classic set of bauxite coloured hoppers climbs the Koper ramp at Crtonice. 17/07/2025 

Six years since my last visit to the country, Slovenia had made it back to the top of the list. As well as the usual entertainment of the 'Autovlak' in the scenic Julian Alps the big draw this time was to photograph freight trains on the busy Koper ramp, the attractive and highly graded route from the Slovenian hinterland to the port of Koper. This single track electric railway is due to be bypassed by a tunnel, opening from 2026 so time was of essence to capture the trains on camera and travel over this line.

Monday 14th July

Stadler 510 032 is pictured near to Zabnica on the line between Jesenice and Ljubljana. 14/07/2025

664 108 passes Kneza working the Autovlak to Most na Soci.

An early start to get to Gatwick for the 07:00 flight to Ljubljana which was uneventful and dropped us off in the Slovenian capital just after 10:00. Since connections to the Autovlak were not good, the first move was to pick up a hire car for the afternoon. This then enabled access to a spot on the line between Jesenice and Ljubljana for an hour, during which no interesting trains were seen.

Now it was time to start the trip properly with the drive across to Podbrdo and the Bohinj railway. Once in the mountains the roads are far from fast (and it is soon apparent why the Autovlak runs at all), but having the car did enable us to get in front of the train for our pictures. 

Even with good weather and the car, there were only two good lineside pictures to be had, but we did also manage to get a ride behind 664108, which was the chosen traction, on one of the runs which would not photograph well. The car also got us to the town of Most na Soci, which is some way from the station but has a fantastic view of the Soca River, and also ice creams!

A clean Fiat built 814 126 (the only one we saw without graffiti all trip) crosses the viaduct at Grahovo. 14/07/2025

664 108 emerges from the tunnel at Podmelec. 18/07/2025

After our final shot, on the viaduct near Grahovo, it was time to hot-foot it back to the airport since we really needed to be on the 19:00 bus to make our check-in! We did manage to make it back, return the car and get onto the 19:00 bus, but only with about 30 seconds to spare. Upon arrival at Ljubljana station I was slightly surprised to find it was a complete building site- fortunately this was not somewhere we would be spending a lot of time. Check in to our accommodation was achieved, and back out to the city for an excellent meal and drinks. 

Tuesday 15th July

342 005 passes Hrastnik with the 'Citadella' from Budapest to Ljubljana. 15/07/2025.

A relative lie-in this morning, with alarms only set for 07:30. Todays target was the scenic Sava valley to the east of Ljubljana. Rather than photograph it, we elected to start the day loco-hauled behind 1216 144 on EN415 to Zidani Most, where we changed for Lasko. After walking back past the large brewery it was apparent that this location had become somewhat overgrown in recent years, but suitable spots were found to photograph a few trains- however luck was not on our side with freight trains, only two being seen heading north, of course, with plenty in the 'wrong' direction!

363 035 at Lasko with an intermodal. Bushes have made this scene somewhat more constrained (some digital gardening has been necessary here!). 15/07/2025.

Late running was starting to set in on the long distance (loco hauled) passenger services, several of which were photographed around Zidani Most during a very busy hour which featured a good compliment of freight trains as well as the passenger workings. After initially being dismissed, upon discovering we were railway colleagues, the red cap at Zidani Most proved to be most helpful in identifying freight workings for us. Usually with the response of 'now' when we asked if there was any freight due- this did make getting into position a little tricky! We also got a little tour of the station including a visit to the signal panel- something which was very much of its time!

342 001 is seen taking the line from Celj as it approaches the station at Zidani Most (Drone). 15/07/2025

Our next shot was at Hrastnik, where the key priority was to catch the 342 on MV 246 'Citadella'- fortunately this produced with 342 005 as the location was devoid of any freight in the right direction. 

Of course as soon as we made the decision to move on to Zagorje we were followed by the heritage liveried 363005! We also got our only sighing of a blue 363 for the trip- going totally the wrong direction for a photo. We had come here in order to get a ride behind a 342, with 342001 duly producing on EC211 'Sava' from Vienna to Zagreb. Despite this only being taken the 20 minutes back to Zidani Most, time was found to enjoy a restaurant car beer. 

1216 144 pauses at Zidani Most with a EuroCity bound for Ljubljana (Drone) 15/07/2025

A few more photos finished until the light was starting to go behind the hills, it was therefore back to Ljubljana for burgers and beers at the Union brewery before picking up our final contingent and calling it a night before an early start. 

541 004 catches the evening light near Hrastnik with a train heading towards Ljubljana. 15/07/2025

Wednesday 16th July

Riding the 'Istria' behind 363 036. 16/07/2025

Up early for one of the main draws of the trip, a ride through to Koper loco hauled behind a 'Nez Casse' 363. The 'Istria' was just a few minutes late behind 363 036 and a compartment was found for the trip, the train fortunately not being too busy. The 'Istria' is currently the only option to reach Koper loco-hauled, and only runs during high summer - a reason to break my embargo on hot summer rail trips!
As expected, the train split at Postojna with our loco continuing forward, but leaving the rear 5 coaches of the train to be taken on to Rijeka by 342010.

A 363 hauled intermodal climbs from Koper shortly after passing Crnotice. The Adriatic can be seen in the distance. 17/07/2025

After Divaca the line singles and the scenery becomes more spectacular until the train reached Koper a little behind schedule. There is also evidence of the new tunnel route which appears now to be substantially complete. The new formation is initially to be used by uphill trains from the port, until the whole formation is complete with two tracks, at which point the scenic old line will close, potentially becoming a bus track. Upon arrival at Koper it was time to make the quick walk to the garage, pick up our second hire car of the trip, and check out a few of the scenic spots while the weather was exceeding the forecast. 

The light didn't last long and after just two good shots, the afternoon was spent scoping out locations for the following day, checking into our hotel, before a brief day trip out to Italy.. and more specifically the tramway between Trieste and Villa Opicina. This tramway is unique in that it doubles as a funicular railway on a steeply graded section of track between the two towns, the funicular section seeing cable tractor units attached to the downhill end of the tramcars. The system is a remarkable survivor, still using tramcars dating from 1935, and surviving an 8 year closure after an accident in 2016, finally re-opening this February! 

Tram cars shunt onto the depot at the end of service at Villa Opicina. 16/07/2025

I may have failed to find an ice-cream in our brief time in Trieste, but the tram ride was enjoyable, and certainly worth paying the small extra fee to take the car into Italy. Of course, by the time we were back in Koper the options for food in the old town were running low and the offering was a burger once again. After dinner there was just time for a wander to the seafront before retiring to bed.

Thursday 17th July

193 952 + 193 008 mark our first Koper freight train of the day
shortly after departing from the terminal. 17/07/2025

This was the day we had pinned our hopes on. A full day on the Koper line, and an excellent weather forecast. Unfortunately however there were still some very large lumps of cloud in the sky when we woke. Following discussions with some friendly photographers the previous day a plan had been hatched to drive to Rakek (near Postojna), which we had not realised was only a 45 minute drive on the motorway, to snap the 363 on the 'Istria'- as is typical of such endeavours, having driven almost the whole way in sunshine, the train appeared in a large patch of cloud. Back on the motorway, and even having stopped for sustenance, we overtook the train at Postojna, so went for another go, only to loose the light again! A frustrating start to the morning. At least there was still one more shot to try, this time with the 342 leading the Rijeka portion- thankfully this one did pay off with 342 010 kicking off the sunny pictures for the day at Narin, having split from the Koper line at Pivka. Thanks to the guys at Crnotice yesterday whos times for the trains held up almost to the minute!

342 010 is seen at Narin on the Rijeka portion of the 'Istria' after two failed attempts at a sunny picture of the full train prior to the split. 17/07/2025.

Now it was time to get on the road back to Koper and start ticking off the locations we had planned for the day, working our way around the large balloon look as the Koper ramp climbs from the coast to the hills. The target of course was the 'Zig-Zag' Alsthom 363's. 

At our first location of Dakarni we had to settle for a Vectron (after having seen 363 036 on the Istria for a third time!) before moving on to Zanigrad, where we were soon greeted by 363 022 working a downhill car train. We waited for a few more trains here, finally catching 363 031 banking a container train, making a very pleasing shot. 

363 022 banks a long train of imported cars upgrade at Zanigrad. 17/07/2025

363 033 hauls a container train past the station at Crnotice while
we wait for hire car recovery! 17/07/2025

We now headed uphill for a long shot of the trains descending from the cliffs, avoiding the 'impassable' road we had failed to get up the previous day. We had to settle for the class 541 'Taurus' locos hauling trains here, as well as a continual procession of downhill light engines (I'm sure we saw more heading downhill than we actually saw banking trains!). After the light was coming too far round here, it was time to head to one of the most important shots, from the cliffs at Crnotice- you can drive right up to the photo spot here... but disaster- on the final approach the car suffered a puncture with the tire loosing pressure rapidly. This was not good, and naturally we did nt have the luxury of a spare, just a can of 'get out of trouble goo' which was not sufficient to plug our hole! As well as our dilemma, there were still trains to watch- and the 'perfect' train had been spotted on the line below heading uphill- 363 022 leading a rake of traditional brown hopper wagons and banked by 363 031. We couldn't deny ourselves one of the shots of the trip, so having taken it we were then free to concentrate fully on the car situation.

541 103 emerges in spectacular fashion onto the Koper Ramp with a train of hoppers. 17/07/2025

The vehicle was limped back to Crnotice where assistance was called from Hertz, and after around an hour a tow truck arrived, as well as the Hertz rep to get us back to Koper and into another vehicle. Fortunately we found ourselves in quite a nice spot to watch a flurry of downhill trains while we waited! Back on the road, I now wanted to get to Podpec to begin the evening shots, while the rest of the group went back to Zanigrad. Apart from light engines, we didn't see many trains for the next hour or so, with just the 'least favorite' option of a black Vectron, 193 279 piloting a train upgrade. Alongside 363 031 this unattractive engine had been trundling up and down all day on banking duties. 

363 036 passes the 'bus stop' location at Podpec with MV1246 'Istria' from Koper to Budapest. 17/07/2025

By the time the others arrived back at Podpec there were 6 photographers with poles, and four more with stepladders accompanying me (with significantly less height!) waiting for the evening 'Istria' with 363 036 returning from Koper. It was good to meet and chat with photographers from many parts of Europe while we waited, even if the scene of us all assembled on an around the bus shelter looked rather ridiculous. 

The group had information that there were a few more downhill trains due, including with the 'heritage' loco 363 005 which wears a reproduction of the original JZ livery. A convoy of cars therefore headed to the open shot near Crtonice for the final few trains of the day.

363 005 provides an excellent end to the day as it heads downhill towards Koper to greet the gallery of photographers in lovely evening light. 17/07/2025

It was getting late, and we were due in Nova Gorica tonight, but did find a good stop off just off the road in Kozina for a delicious outdoor Grill meal.

Friday 18th July

664 108 on the Autovlak. 18/07/2025

The primary reason for our positioning overnight was to be in place for the early run of the Autovlak at 06:36 from Nova Gorica- this run being extended from the stocks berthing position. As well as 664 108 (again) with its train there were two further 'Reagan's; 664 107 and 664 110 with 664 113 stabled on a freight that had arrived overnight. These were joined by the 644 020 (nominally the booked Autovlak traction) and 642 301, many of which nicely caught the rapidly rising morning sunshine.

664 108 passes through the station at Podmelec. 18/07/2025

I thoroughly enjoyed the run on AV850 to Most na Soci through lovely scenery from the 'new' passenger coach, branded in 2025 Capital of Culture which is being shared by Gorizia and Nova Gorica. After arrival at Most na Soci the plan was to re-join the car (driven by those less worried about the train ride) to continue our photography- unfortunately this didn't quite go to plan due to the condition of the roads and traffic, so we instead ended up watching the Autovlak cross our spot at Grahovo in beautiful conditions rather than photographing it- oh for another 5 minutes! Now hindsight is a wonderful thing: none of us really know why we didn't think to take the car on the train!

 

664 108 crosses the impressive viaduct to arrive at Most na Soci with a well-loaded Autovlak. (Drone) 18/07/2025.

664 108 shunts the autovlak at Most na Soci. 18/07/2025

A smart looking 642 301 at Nova Gorica. 18/07/2025

After picking up breakfast in Most na Soci, and photographing the next Autovlak arrival, it was time for Rob to depart leaving James and I to photograph the afternoon trains by rail. 

After a few more shots in different locations I picked up one final ride behind 664 108 up to Bohinja Bistrika where I could get an ice cream and wait for the unit to Jesenice- since my last visit the old 813's have been withdrawn, and most trains are in the hands of fairly heavily graffitied, Fiat class 714's. 

The final train of the trip was EC 213 with 1216 142 from Jesenice to Ljubljana to pick up the airport bus. I had considered getting off at Kranj for the shorter bus journey to the airport, but due to an inexplicable evening gap in the buses this was discounted. 

541 016 was the only locomotive photographed in the new SZ blue livery dring the trip, and is seen here paused at Jesenice. 18/07/2025

It was nice to be able to find a compartment in a traditional fresh-air Euro City train- though it could really have done with more than three coaches as while it was busy leaving Jesenice, it was extremely busy after picking up a hoard of tourists at Bled!

There were 20 minutes at Ljubljana to pick up a final freight 363 before the bus to the airport and an uneventful journey home. 

A final Zig-Zag 363 of the trip as 363 033 passes 293 076 in the main station at Ljubljana. 18/07/2025