OBB – ZSSK – CD – HZ Trip report Split or Bus[t]! 04-07 July 2022

2044 013 slogs up the hill from Split at Sadine with train 1220 the very delayed 15:33 RegioJet to Prague. 06/07/2022

 A fairly last minute trip based around the RegioJet holiday train to Croatia and the fact that I found a good flight home. Hopefully nothing too ambitious for a nice few days away to eastern Europe… or at least that is what I thought!

Monday 4^th July

2016 059 inbound from Marchegg at at
Wien Stadlau. 04/07/2022 

Flew from Gatwick to Vienna with Wizz air- Knew the flight was going to be 45 minutes late before leaving home and to be fair, this is about the delay it kept. Having read about all the airport farces, we got to Gatwick in plenty of time, and the delay allowed us to catch a pair of 47’s heading to Eastbourne before heading through security. The whole affair was painless and even after a Weatherspoons breakfast there was still time to kill before the flight.

Following the FFP2 farce last year we made sure we had some this time, but it turned out to be unnecessary.

CD Cargo 230 095 leads a classmate
through Bratislava. 04/07/2022

While it wasn’t planned, an on time flight and quick passport grip at Vienna might have dropped us on to the recently reported RegioJet with the hired in 1142, of course with our delay this was well missed and it was getting on for late afternoon by the time we arrived in Vienna, to find that contrary to the weather forecast it hadn’t yet clouded over.

RegioJet 388 216 from Prague has terminated at Bratislava main station. 04/07/2022

A trawl of the online journey App’s revealed that nice and easy journey to Bratislava (and out of Mask land) was not going to be as simple as we had hoped- the diesel line via Marchegg was part buses (and many trains didn’t even have a bus connection), so after a quick spin on a pair of diesels it was time for ‘plan B’ to avoid the bus. 

Plan B turned out to be the RailJet to Breclaw for a RegioJet on to Bratislava. I was already finding all these various ‘jets’ confusing but booking the latter was simple and at less than €10 each it seemed a good idea to treat ourselves to ‘business’ class with free Champagne. By now the forecast cloud had arrived and after watching a pair of CD ‘Laminatkas’ with a freight through Bratislava it was time to switch to shorts and head into town for dinner and an ice cream.

 

Tuesday 5^th July

757 016, wearing the new ZSR livery approaches Bratislava Vinohrady with a service to Prievidza. 05/07/2022

We had known the forecast for today was poor almost since booking the trip about two weeks prior, so it was something of a pleasant surprise to wake up and find it wasn’t raining!

Diesels at Bratislava main station. 05/07/2022

It soon started and accepting it was not going to be a day of amazing photography it was time to plan a few loco moves. The Bratislava 754’s on the line to Komarom seemed a good target, but strangely did not appear in any rail planners today. They were there for Monday, they were there for Wednesday… Of course- we had done it again and landed up abroad on a Bank Holiday – ‘Saints Cyril and Methodius Day’ for those who weren’t sure.

‘Goggle’ 757 016 was taken towards Prieviedza before we resumed our journey north to Brno to play on the 242’s and ultimately intercept the RegioJet.

380 002 arrives at Bratislava bound for Prague. 05/07/2022

Czeck Skoda 380 002 was the traction north and we made ourselves comfortable in the restaurant car and enjoyed some Shnitzel while finding entertainment at American tourists who couldn’t work out how to store their bags and then realised that this wasn’t 1^st class anyway.

Purchasing one of the local transit tickets (since FIP is not valid on local services) for a princely sum of Kč 190 it was then onto the 242’s for a run up to Hradčany (which is not a good location to leap) and back down to Hustopeče u Bruna where 263 002 running in heritage livery as S499 2002 backed onto the train and the rain started falling more heavily!

242 204 pauses at Hradčany with a local service towards Tisnov. 05/07/2022

 Back on the move to Brno there was an extended stop at Vranovice, with a RegioJet was suspiciously stopped in the other platform with many passengers also on the platform. It was only while photographing the loco having seen we were on reds that the driver came and explained what was going on- there had been a fatality on the line ahead and it was likely no trains would be move for up to 3 hours. This wasn’t good as our RegioJet to Split (assuming it was on time) was away from Brno in not much more than 3 hours! We were assured there was a bus on its way but this wasn’t a position of strength!

S499 2002 after runing around its train at Vranovice ready to head back to Hustopeče u Bruna following a blockage of the line ahead towards Brno. 05/07/2022

242 261 shunting at Brno hl.n. 05/07/2022

 Fortunately after having just flagged a local bus, a train flew through the station heading south and everyone was ushered back onto the RegioJet- our train having returned south we followed and were back at Brno still with plenty of time to spare.

While it had shown signs of improvement the light was still very poor and after a quick supply trip into town it was determined that the best option was to head for a beer and dinner.

Now it was time for our RegioJet, the sun (as forecast) finally came out- we knew the train was late so managed a few photos around Brno station in the dying light.

754 068 makes a nice surprise arriving in the first (and last) light of the day approaching Brno hl.n. 05/07/2022

 Traxx MS3 388 206 arrived around 40 minutes late with the RegioJet… the delay not unexpected but not at the level that would automatically result in a bus in the morning to Split- but we would need to have a good run overnight. We settled into our compartments (separate ones due to the late booking of the train)- I was joining a pleasant Czeck man with very good English, and we were then joined by a colourful Slovak and his wife in Bratislava- he insisted on passing around his local firewater and sharing pictures of his time in the army in Pakistan! After a bottle of very nice Czeck wine for €2 it was time for bed, keeping fingers crossed that we wouldn’t wake up to a massive delay in the morning!

RegioJet 386 201 arrives into Brno hl.n. 05/07/2022

 

Wednesday 6^th July

1142 015 waits departure for Vinkovci at Zagreb
hl.n while the RegioJet waits the road to Ouglin. 06/07/2022

I wake up and find the train still. We are at Nagykanisza in Hungary, not far from the Croatian border. I had initially assumed this was the border, given the extended stop, but this is some way away at Gyékényes a little further on. So why have we stopped…? (Update thanks to Mike Turner, it would appear that we had stopped for the removal of a pair of PKP Cargo class 740's which drag the train from Zalaszentivan to Nagykanisza, the route not yet being electrified- if only we had know!).

These delays take on a particular frustration as I am acutely aware that every minute lost on this journey increases the chances of a bus from Ouglin!

We are on the move again before long continuing slowly along the single track route towards the border.

An announcement is made shortly before Gyékényesat around 03:00 advising that the border formalities are about to commence. Passengers were asked to fill in their details digitally before boarding the train and the visits by both Hungarian and Croatian border guards are fairly quick and efficient. Most passengers simply present their ID cards, but us Brits now have no chance of being denied a passport stamp! The stop overall is around 60 minutes, and with this being high summer the sun is starting to rise as we cross over the Drava river into Croatia. I have not slept much so pull the curtain back across and attempt some sleep- the worry about buses is an additional factor keeping me awake on this train!

Shortly after departure from Ouglin, the RegioJet, now with 2044 018 in charge pauses at Josipdol to pass an IC unit. 06/07/2022

I next awake at Zagreb where the train is once again inexplicably at a stand having arrived merely an hour late. After a frustrating 30 minutes we are on the move again, and heading down onto the scenic line towards Ouglin and Rijeka. I can see the loco some 14 coaches away has changed and is now a red Croatian 1141. While I assumed there would be time to check it’s identity during the shuffling round at Ouglin I decided for safety to walk the length of the train and identify it as 1141 308.

2044 018 performing on the Lika line. 06/07/2022

It is a good thing that I did walk down, as once we arrive at Ouglin everything happens very efficiently. Finally I am happy that we are not about to be bussed as only those with pre-booked bus connections from Ouglin are advised to disembark. It takes a minute or two to realise that our part of the train is not going to be on the platform and passengers start leaving as 2044 018 backs on to our end (now the front) of the train. This is what we had come for!

The windows are open and we enjoy the 2044 on this wonderful journey, though not before another extended pause (again around 30 minutes, not that it mattered so much now) at Josipdol to pass a tilting IC in the other directly. I upset the crew by getting off for a picture.

Back on the move and there is plenty of scenery and gradients to enjoy. My only previous journey on this route was overnight and it vastly surpasses expectations. We have another delay of 20 minutes or so at the once busy junction town of Knin. Time to take a look out the window at the forlorn and broken OHLE equipment associated with the once electrified railway which reached here from present day Bosnia, without a passenger service since the hostilities here in the early 1990’s.

It is time for another €2 bottle of wine as the train continues up and over gradients and our attention starts to shift towards our afternoon activities. The plan is to photograph the three daylight evening departures but it is becoming increasingly apparent that we will no longer connect into the train from Split to Perkovic to get us to the spot we want. The only option will be to bail off at another station between Perkovic and Kastel Stari to pick up the unit back down if our train happens to stop.

It didn’t take long as we are looped at Labin to allow the afternoon IC to pass. I ask one of the stewards if we can leave the train here. ‘No- this is not a stop’. Fact is however, the train had stopped and we really needed not to be on it any longer! I bid farewell to the guy in my compartment, leaving him to enjoy the last of the run to Split before he then cycled 50k to his final destination (I’m not sure who thought the other was most mad!), and we make for the doors.

2063 003 hauls train 60340 from Solin towards Knin up the gradient approaching Labin. 06/07/2022

The unit passes and 2044 018 is photographed departing Labin with two less passengers. We’ve over an hour to wait now until our train down the hill, so with no gen or expectation we walk up to the spot here we had used previously just in case a train should come this way. It is really hot now and I use my umbrella to provide some shade. I am also perilously low on water since my plan to top up in Split has been abandoned. Arriving at the spot we find two photographers already there; ‘Are you here for the freight?’ Well, we were now and within about 10 minutes 2063 003 grinds up the hill on a train of tanks. What an excellent start!

Back to the station for our train and to (successfully) persuade the red cap to let us top our water we are now headed for Sadine. There are a few shots here, but unfortunately the cloud we could see starting to build from Labin is covering them all. There are many other photographers dotted around this landscape, easily double figures, waiting for the first train, expected to be the RegioJet and all keeping their fingers crossed that the cloud clears in time.

With Split harbour in the distance 2044 028 climbs the Dalmation hills at Sadine with train 1152 to Bratislava. 06/07/2022

The cloud does clear and 2044 013 makes a fine site heading its late train bound for Prague.

Moving round the corner we are then treated to 2044 028 on the Bratislava train before finally catching 2044 020 with the Budapest in the very last throws of the light before the shadows hit the railway- the 35 minute delay on this one really not helping!

All three trains photographed, and all cab leading the various photographers dotted around the landscape are happy.

The final daylight train of the day, 2044 020 with the 'Adria' from Split to Budapest. 06/07/2022

 We have bumped into HK 075 who kindly offers us, and Andy who has also joined the party, a lift to a restaurant near(ish) to Sadine station. This is gratefully received not only because we don’t fancy another walk in the heat, but also as we obviously need dinner and a beer (the next train from Sadine into Split is not for hours and wont’ get us in until after 22:00!).

2044 017 waits departure for Osijek from Split. 06/07/2022

Dinner was excellent and it was ultimately decided to save a long walk and wait that Uber would be our conveyance into town. Back at Split station it was now 2044 017 occupying the platform with the overnight to Osijek. At 22:03, the booked departure there is still no sign of the unit we should have been on to connect into it. You can’t get back from anywhere off this train, so we’re just going for the desperate move through the tunnel to Split Predgrade- which was obviously excellent from the front coach!

 

The signaller checked its progress of the unit on Croatian Trust and reported that it was still 15 mins or so away, but would get us back to town and to a bar. Despite a tired slight lack of enthusiasm on my part we all agreed to get up early again in the morning to photograph the inbound Osijek.

 

Thursday 7th July                               

Shunting at Solin with 2132 304. 07/07/2022

Up as planned for the morning local to Perkovic which we took to Kaštel Sućurac, spotting 2063 014 and a pair of 2062’s in the yard at Solin in the process, before then walking back to our photospot.  We already knew that the sleeper was 53 minutes late from the departure board at Split, so it was another fairly lengthy wait in the sun.

The train eventually arrived with a double headed pair (running cab to cab) in the form or 2044 018 and 021. Since 18 hadn’t gone north overnight I suspect this may have been added at Perkovic as has been reported happening a few times recently.

 We weren’t expecting much more activity in the morning so headed back to Split and to the beach! This was always my plan for the previous visit in 2018 but the locals had dropped a vice and that plan changed rather rapidly! This time the temperature was even warmer and there really wasn’t much to stick around the lineside for, especially since we were 99% sure by now that the RegioJet was going to be a bus from its forecast delay.

2044 018 leads 2044 021 with the late running 1782 form Osijek to Split seen on the appraoch to Solin. 07/07/2022

The RegioJet is covered by bus once again. 07/07/2022

We booked reservations (free with FIP) for the 14:25 IC and after lunch and an ice cream took this to Kaštel Stari in the hope of shooting the freight which had followed it the previous day. We met some other photters who had the same idea but had also realised that by the absence the 2062’s in Solin that the freight had already gone and headed straight back to Split and the beach.

We hung around just in case the 2063 should chose to make an appearance- it didn’t, and with no RegioJet either it wasn’t the most productive couple of hours.

2044 014 waits its next duty at Solin. 07/07/2022

With our flight from Split looming it was a quick and easy Uber move from Kaštel Stari to the airport where we were through check-in and passports in about 10 minutes. The flight home was a very reasonably priced BA Cityflyer service to London City, which had frankly made this trip possible.

Aside from being a generally great option to get home (despite the 50 minute delay) it was lovely to receive a complimentary food and drink service (when did you last get one of those!) and the 30 or so passengers had a top flight. The crew did remark that the route had only just started flying and the outbound flight was full- maybe we just got lucky here!

One of HZ's tilting IC units climbs up the hill at Kastel Stari - our last shot of the trip. 07/07/2022

24 October – 5 November 2021 ÖBB MÁV ZSSK Trip Report (Part 2)

 India   USA   Romania   Austria –  Hungary – Slovakia.

Part 2 - Hungary and Solvakia

117 365 leads into Kutvolgy on 31/10/2021 with a service to Szeged in the last of the day's light.

Sunday 31^st October:

478 325 drags 628 223 towards Szekkutas. 31/10/2021

It was an unwelcome early start after a very late finish for me the previous day.
The clocks had changed overnight to mark the end of daylight savings- this had given me confidence to stay out a bit later last night, but had also brought sunrise forward an hour, and as a result we were up for the 06:53 from Budapest Nyugati to Szeged to begin our hunt for M41 diesels.
 

The work of this class has declined considerably in recent years with and to the best of my knowledge their current work is consigned to the following routes:

• From Győr largely down towards Celldömölk.
• The remaining unelectrified section of the North Balaton railway from Balatonfüred to Tapolca.
  
• Two diagrams between Budapest Nyugati and Lajosmizse.
• Several routes from Debrecen- largely towards Fehérgyarmat and Füzesabony.
  
• Between Püspökladány and Biharkeresztes (currently under electrification).
• Between Szeged and Békéscsaba.

(I think there may also be a route in the south west of the country).
The first two routes tend to employ re-engined 418/3’s almost exclusively and the next does not run at weekends. The routes from Debrecen (and Püspökladány) were to be our next target, so today we were bound for Szeged!

Ganz built 418 115 has just departed from Székkutas with a service to Szeged. 31/10/2021

I was slightly surprised to find a 480 on the front of the train, rather than a V43 which work most of the trains in these areas. At Szeged 418 163 was waiting with the connecting train to Békéscsaba and with the sun shining a good day of photography had begun.

418 163 at Szeged ready to work to Bekescaba. 31/10/2021

The MÁV mapper was of course a useful tool as we could pinpoint which trains were heading our way and what locos would produce, we were therefore fairly confident that we would see an M41 in each direction most hours (with a few railcars thrown in as well). We settled on Székkutas which has possibly the only mound of earth higher than a meter in this whole (very flat) part of Hungary! As well as having some height the location also boasted passing loops and semaphore signals with cabins.

Waiting for a loco hauled train towards Szeged we thought our pleasant day was rapidly coming to an end when the signaller came out of his cabin which we had composed nicely into our shot and started shouting and beckoning at us. We had had a similar situation in Ukraine which did NOT end well, so thoughts had obviously turned to this. We could see the train approaching but I felt there was no other option than to approach the man and explain what we were doing.

117 365 trails a classmate and trailer as they approach Szekkutas. 31/10/2021

The Szekkultas signaller.

Very quickly it became apparent that he meant no harm, and I explained (with no common language) that we were photographing the train. The shot achieved (thankfully) and we were once again beckoned over. Far from being accosted for our activities I ended up replacing the signal for the train that had just passed before our whole party got a demonstration in how to unlock the points and swing them! I was even able to leave with a souvenir bottle of water since that was all he had to offer.

Aside from the M41’s we were treated to a slightly odd move- the Mapper got us excited when we saw a move with an un-refurbished M62 heading our way, also with an M47 showing on the train. A freight would really have topped off the day! It wasn’t to be as the move turned out to be the M47 dragging 628 223. A little while later a similar move in the opposite direction moved 628 096 towards Békéscsaba, clearly swapping locos which had been out-based on the route.

418 142 approaches Szekkultas working from Bekescabar to Szeged. 31/10/2021

Last light at Kutvolgy as 418 126 approaches. 31/10/2021

We finished the day at Kútvölgy where the final diesel shot became a railcar- a very nice shot of a 117 though amonths the semaphores (the title picture) however so I cannot say I was too disappointed. 

The trip home was via Békéscsaba with another 480 taking us forward to Budapest Keleti. I was hoping we might have had a Romanian 47, since this train had come from across the border, though as it happens none were seen during this trip.

Back in Budapest we found dinner and waited the arrival of our final comrade before enjoying a beer and retiring for the night.

 
 
Monday 1^st November:

View from the drone - 431 198 heads west at Kaba. 01/11/2021

The day started early once again, with the 06:23 from Budapest Nyugati to Debrecen for the next chapter of M41 chasing. Before departure we were able to watch 418 148 with a train on the Lajosmizse route (if we had thought quick enough we could have ridden it to Kobanya-Kispest but never mind!). The station had a high staff presence as from today masks were now compulsory in the station and on trains.

Not an M61- but in fact an MY export from Denmark- Still Karpat's 459 021 is definitely a NOHAB and the closet thing us Europeans will get to Santa Fe Warbonnet! The great looking machine was parked outside Debrecen and was definitely a win! 31/10/2021

 We had not managed to buy reservations at Nyugati before boarding. Despite being a major city centre station there was no desk for us to buy them from with our FIP coupons. It seems hit and miss whether the grippers care about them, but they did today. It wasn’t a massive problem but definitely a faff we could have done without. This was the best appointed Hungarian train we had been on, plus we finally had a V43 at the front.
 

628 327 approaches Vamospercs. 01/11/2021

Upon arrival in Debrecen we had time to put our bags into the lockers before heading for the 09:11 to Nyírábrány. I had done a lot of research into this area when we were originally planning to cross over from Romania. Extensive watching of the MÁV mapper had taught me that this train was about the only one of the day to be loco hauled on the line, and on most days it was followed by an M62 hauled freight.Today the expectation worked exactly as we had hoped with 418 146 working the passenger train and 628 327 following about an hour behind. The freight passed the M41 returning at Vámospércs, where we had been waiting for our photo- a very frantic run put us back on the loco-hauled service to Debrecen.

431 336 approaches Debrecen-Csapokert. 01/11/2021

With a good set of diesel photos achieved, and the weather looking rather less favourable we headed down to Kaba for the afternoon to photograph some electrics (and hope for some freight).I can’t say the afternoon was particularly exhilarating but we did get a few good pictures of the V43’s, and absolutely no freights in the right direction. Did I mention we had been screwed over again by a European Bank Holiday? It felt particularly unfair since it was my birthday that the UK is one of the few countries not to have a public holiday on All Saints Day!

432 378 pushes a suburban stopping service towards Debrecen from Kaba. 01/11/2021

The last shot of the day was once again a low light picture of a 117 railcar, before we headed back to Debrecen for my ‘birthday meal’, unfortunately this was our first journey on one of the new MÁV EMU’s that we had so far avoided. Back in town the place was hardly buzzing and the few sit down dinner options came down to ‘Beer & Wurst’ or the Belgian inspired (and very nice) pub we were staying at. The former won and we had a lovely meal surrounded by just two other tables dining in the whole place. Certainly not the ‘Wurst’ birthday I have had.

 

418 146 prepares to depart from Vesempercs having arrived with the morning train from Debrecen. 01/11/2021

 
Tuesday 2^nd November:
 

418 153 from behind 418 146. 01/11/2021

The day had not dawned quite as dark as expected, though the forecast weather soon caught up. Within minutes of leaving the hotel I had taken my only vaguely well lit photo of the day, one of the older style Debrecen trams (the ‘older’ ones now being what were the newer ones last time I was here!). Our luggage was left in the lockers at Debrecen station before we headed off to our final M41 diesel hauled line of the trip, from Püspökladány to Biharkeresztes, again we managing to avoid any of the new units which now work some of the trains between Budapest and Debrecen, taking 432 277 on a push-pull set.

 

418 145 stands aside 418 332 at Biharkeresztes. Evidence of 
the current electrification works can and general line upgrade
can be seen. Local trains are currently not running between
here and Oradea in Romania. 02/11/2021

When planning this trip, and before Romania had been shelved our original plan was to enter Hungary from Romania in this area and a lot of research went into the lines, and altered Covid services, on the lines to both Nyírábrány and Biharkeresztes both of which cross over from the Romania towns of Valea lui Mihai and Oradea respectively. What this research did through up, other than the fact that all of the regional and daytime cross-border services were suspended due to Covid was the fact that the line from Püspökladány to Oradea (via Biharkeresztes) was under the process of being electrified, and would re-open during the first week or our trip following a closure of several months. A very recent Google Streetview image had confirmed that masts had very recently been erected, but what we did not know was whether electric services (or the local cross border trains) would commence upon re-opening of the line. Fortunately the ever trusty MÁV Mapper had confirmed the day before that local services within Hungary were still in the hands of M41’s and once we arrived on the line it was clear to see that while well advanced, the electrification was far from complete. I would guess that its completion will be sometime during 2022.

431 225 speeds through Kaba in the late afternoon sun. 01/11/2021

 
There were four sets of locos and stock operating on the line, one swapping out at Püspökladány providing an hourly service. The locos involved were 418 145, 177, 317 and 332. Given that the weather could now only be described as awful we stayed on the line long enough to cover all of the diagrams. There was a little drama down at Biharkeresztes on our first trip when we had a bit of grief from the border police while taking our photos. Passports were examined and grumpy faces were shown- a bit more of an issue for the member of our party who had left his passport in Debreceen! We never 100% worked out what the issue was, but we were allowed on our way and decided to stay away from the border subsequently (this despite the only cross border service still being the overnight train).

418 332 between duties at Puspokladany on a very grey afternoon. 02/11/2021.

 

Freight action with 630 028 at Puspokladany. 02/11/2021

Another objective of the trip was to achieve a ride behind one of the ‘freight’ class 460 (or V63) Co-Co locos, many of which are covering passenger duties. While we had seen several around they never seemed to align with our plans. Having decided against a spin on one earlier in the day in favour of a diesel we were fortunate to get another chance. 630 028 was taken on a mega tight move to Kaba where there was something like a +4 minute connection onto a service back to Püspökladány for a +3 or something silly onto the next required diesel. I’m pleased to say it all worked, though it was very very tight at the Kaba end with the first train running a couple of minutes late. Fortunately back at Püspökladány the branch connection was held for us and a couple of other passengers. Phew!

Czeck Plastic- 230 067 waits for the road in the freight yard at the back of Debrecen. 01/11/2021

117 358 waits for the off bound for Hajdoboszormany - 
Tiszalok (quite a mouthful!). 02/11/2021

After our final part-way trip down to the line we headed back to Debreceen in the dark and wet, but at least loco hauled (well, pushed). Again we picked up our bags and continued our journey on to Miskolk on one of the ‘Budapest rounder’ services from Keleti to Nuygati (via a large part of the country). In Miskolk we had a break to take a tram (you can buy tickets on board rather than missing it while looking for a machine) into town for dinner before continuing to our ultimate destination for the night of Kosice in Slovakia. 

418 157 waits for the connection off the delayed train from Budapest (right). 01/11/2021

An EMU beneath the Miskolc canopies. 02/11/2021

Dinner didn’t prove all that easy to find, but we did settle upon a place that was empty, like everywhere, but reasonable enough once we had coaxed the staff out of hiding in the kitchen. The food was prepared quickly but as we rushed to pay at the end it was announced that they didn’t take cards- a bit of a panic as we had worked hard to finish off our forints before heading into Slovakia- thankfully there was a machine close by!
 

It was still raining by the time we arrived at Kosice and any ideas of taking what would have been an appalling picture of our train were quickly dashed when it seemed to have attracted a huge armed police presence.

 
 
Wednesday 3^rd November:

125 626 leads 816 with 840 banking on the rear through Ruskov with one of the broad gauge trains to the Ukrainian border. 03/11/2021

 

131 060 hauls a rake of tankers through Ruskov. 03/11/2021

Another gloomy day! We headed loco-hauled to Ruskov, a location I had visited on my previous trip to Slovakia. The aim once again was to catch some of the heavy double-unit 131 hauled trains in this mountainous region, many of which had been banked on my last trip. Also appealing of course was the hope of catching some action on the broad gauge line- which had been unhelpfully quiet last time.

757 002 briefly interrupts the gloom at Trebisov. 03/11/2021

It wasn’t the most pleasant morning truth be told, mostly thanks to the weather! Traffic levels were not huge, though we did see a few freights, none of which were banked, and all of the 131’s we saw were now in the newer blue/white livery rather than the older yellow and green.

We were cold and about to give up when just on que a rumble in the distance heralded the arrival of a broad gauge train with a pair of 128’s up front and another banking on the rear.

721 065 is kept busy shunting the stock of the many Intercity trains that start their journeys at Humenne. 03/11/201

 

742 618 parked with a train at Trebisov. 03/11/2021

Our escape from the chill of Ruskov was via Michal’any to Trebišov rather than the direct route. A mecca for parked up blue/white 131’s but barely time for any photos before boarding our connecting 812 railbus along with most of the other passengers. I have to admit I quite enjoyed the journey on the rickety thing, at least until Upor, where we were all thrown off- ‘Autobus’. We never worked out why, but on arrival Trebišov looked particularly uninviting and rather devoid of trains. It didn’t take long to catch another long train on the broad gauge, which also passes through the station here, but after that it was time to find some refreshment and respite from the cold.

A collection of Skoda boxes, 163 105, 131 015 and 065 together with our railbus at Mikhal'any. 03/11/2021

752 030 livens up a dull afternoon at Humenne. 03/11/2021

Returning after our unexpectedly pleasant lunch stop in this gloomy brutalist town the weather had certainly not improved, so rather than waste any more time standing in it we made use of our FIP coupons and took the 757 hauled service to Humenné. Here we entertained ourselves watching the attractive shunting loco 721 065 before we received quite a surprise in the form of ‘Grumpy’ 752 030 working in on a wood train. It sounded great and while hoping it would run round we let the train back to Kosice go- of course at the same moment that it departed the 752 also disappeared off light engine… 2 hours in Humenné then!

757 002 is waiting on it's stock to form our next train back to Kosice from Humenne. 03/11/2021

752 030 blasts away from it's train. 03/11/2021

The shunting operations at the station and the very smoky bar next door however kept us entertained, quite a number of ‘Goggles’ work services here and there was also shunting to prepare various trains for their next journeys. The ‘Grumpy’ even made a very brief appearance once again, light engine, but only to disappear back to where it came from- maybe a shunt from the nearby depot. When the time came we weren’t disappointed to leave after our extended stay and enjoyed a nice meal back in Kosice.
 
 
Thursday 4^th November:

'Laminatka' 240 036 pauses to wait for time at the delightful Surany station. 04/11/2021

 
If yesterday had been gloomy then today we woke to a downpour! It had only worsened by breakfast so our dash to the supermarket for supplies and then to the station with our cases became quite unpleasant! One of our group was educated in the physics of paper bags and water, much to the detriment of his beer which ended up shattered across the concourse at Kosice!
 
Thankfully our itinerary would not be badly affected by the weather- we were taking the long distance diesel hauled train to Bratislava via Zvolen. Unexpectedly our loco leaving Kosice was 754 071 in place of the booked 757. The journey was interesting and scenic and was an opportunity to catch up on the levels of ‘Grumpy’ activity on this route based out of Plešivec- not a lot!

754 071 detaches from our train at Zvolen while 757 070 waits its next departure. 04/11/2021

 

A busy scene at Levice with 240 084 heading to Bratislava, 
while 240 028 is bound for Nove Zamky with a railcar also 
providing connections. 04/11/2021

At Zvolen, which clearly seems to be the Slovak capital of ‘Goggle’ activity we had our expected loco swap, but rather than the expected 362 coming on to take us forward it was actually ‘Laminatka’ 240 084! This was a big win as we had wanted to scoop a few more of these locos who’s passenger duties are very much dwindling and now have very little work out of Bratislava.

 
The train lost quite a bit of time as it continued forward from Zvolen with some very slow running. Our plan had been to change at Levice to pick up some more 240’s on the Nové Zámky – Levice route, but the connection was now looking decidedly unsure. Fortunately it did make, with 240 028 taking us forwards. The route turned out to be very scenic as we enjoyed the front compartment with the window open – did I also mention that the sun had now come out as well!?

240 028 gets away from Hul - rather a grab shot from the train which we had just hurried to disembark! 04/11/2021

240 132 catches the dying light at Hul with a service to Levice. 
04/11/2021

Such was the upturn in the weather that we bailed off at Hul for a photo in the last of the days light, then picking up the following service with 240 036 onto Šurany where some night shots were then taken (and also allowing us to claw back a bit of time rather than travelling through to Nové Zámky. Finally we picked up another delayed Inter City service to finally reach Bratislava. Our trip was almost complete and we weren’t far off being full circle from Vienna where we started.

 
 

Friday 5^th November:

Slovak 'Gorilla' 350 002 arrives ECS into Bratislava
Nove Mesto. 05/11/2021

The final day of the trip looked a lot more promising weather wise- there were a few options since the ‘Laminatkas’ had been achieved quite successfully the day before. The winning option was to head down towards Komárno for the ‘Grumpy’ hauled freight which works to Dunajská Streda on selected days from Bratislava, although we were not really too sure which ones, we were hoping that this was one of those days having seen a recent report of it running on a Friday.

OBB 2016 002 heads towards Bratislava on one of the turns from Komarno / Dunajska Streda. 05/11/2021

 
One surprise here, clearly not having paid huge attention to the diagrams, was that the majority of trains on this route are loco hauled- by OBB 2016 diesels working push-pull with similarly hired ‘City Shuttle’ coaches. We hadn’t managed to ride one of the diesels in Austria so it was a bit weird to finally be travelling behind one here!

Certainly an unexpected sight- 701 615 on a trip working at Rovinka on the outskirts of Bratislava. 05/11/2021

The landscape here is flat, and the linespeed low, but we found a reasonable spot to shoot the trains from Rovinka, just on the outskirts of Bratislava- we just needed to hope our freight would turn up.

Metrans 761 102 still wears 'Dispolok' colours as it works a
freight south at Rovinka. 05/11/2021

The first time the barriers went down it was an interesting trip working with a small diesel shunter; 701 615 complete with very friendly driver. Over the next few hours the barriers could be heard several more times for freight trains and overall the line turned out to be surprisingly busy, at least in the southbound direction. Unfortunately however, while we returned plenty of nice pictures of Metrans ‘Hercules’ locos on container trains the ‘Grumpy’ trip working never did produce.

More southbound containers - Metrans 761 005 passes Rovinka. 05/11/2021

2016 008 became our final loco of the trip taking us back to the main station in Bratislava where there was just time for one final surprise- 240 067 hauling a well lit freight through the station. That made up for some of the mornings disappointment as Cargo ‘Laminatkas’ were the alternative morning plan.
 

2016 008, our final loco of the trip at Bratislava hl.st. 05/11/2021 

Now all that remained was to pick up our bags and head by bus to the airport. We had made it to the end of the two week trip and despite some initial hesitation over its length had thoroughly enjoyed it.

Getting through the airport to get home was less eventful than flying out, though the Covid check in was obviously a right pain, even for those not checking anything in. The final meal of the trip became a sandwich from the very measly offering airside at Bratislava airport.
 

ZSSK Cargo 'Laminatka' 240 067 makes a fine finale to the trip. 05/11/2021

Conclusions:

418 126 passes the cabin and attendant at Szekkutas 
working from Bekeskabar to Szeged. 31/10/2021

This certainly was not the trip we had been planning for much of 2021- but when it came down to it we just needed to get away somewhere and this was the result. Far better than staying at home this rather lengthy trip had many highlights and ticked a few things off for all of us- most notably for me the Brenner Pass in Austria which up until this point had never quite made it high enough on the list for an actual visit. Austria impressed us all hugely with it’s incredible scenery and good quality and quantity of loco hauled trains- it’s just a shame so much of it is being put into tunnels!

 
Hungary wasn’t a country I had felt a strong urge to return to, but I’ve always considered the M41’s to be underrated and with their work slowly reducing it was a good opportunity to enjoy the remaining traditional lines on which they find work. Freight was sadly lacking for us on this trip and the ever elusive ex-British class 56’s and 86’s stayed firmly tucked away from our cameras.

Night has fallen as 721 065 prepares the overnight sleeper train at Humenne. 03/11/2021

Slovakia was great the previous time I had visited and again on this trip everyone seemed to be impressed by the country. It is a shame the weather was so poor around Kosice as the trains were good. I had wanted to get a few more ‘Laminatkas’ under my belt before they disappear from passenger use altogether and this was achieved… though I’d still like to come back for another go!

125 838 banks another double (or is it quadruple?!) headed broad gauge freight at Trebisov. 03/11/2021

 

Double diesels as 418 146 and 153 await subsequent 
departures from Debrecen. 01/11/2021

Covid despite being an ever threat was not actually much of an issue once we had made it off our island! Masks were worn where mandated, while restaurants and entertainment venues certainly seemed to be much quieter than would be expected. All this said we were probably quite lucky with the timing of our trip (and to avoid catching the virus)- while Romania had been abandoned, our replacement Austria was back into a state of lockdown barely three weeks after we had visited and chances are that the case rates were rather high right across the areas that we covered at this time.

 
So… here’s to 2022 (and nobody is making any predictions about foreign travel)!

431 135 passes the fields east of Kaba with an Intercity service. 01/11/2021