Powder snow, sun and a steam train, steaming uphill through a fairy tale countryside – that’s what we’re going for to
We've planned to visit two forestry lines in northern
We'll try to arrange our trains as authentically as possible – as always. In Viseu we overhauled (better to say we rebuilt it from scratch) the four wheel tender, and we’ll also have the authentic logging wagons we need for a really nice looking train. The new name plates will be removed from the locomotives we’re using.
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Date |
Itinerary |
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09.02. |
We meet at the airport of Cluj Napoca around 15.00 hrs (flights with Lufthansa from Munich). We can book the flight for you if required. Bus transfer to Viseu (about four hours), accommodation in a private pension near the depot of the forest line in Viseu de Sus |
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10.02. |
In the morning (ca. 7.30 hrs) we steam uphill into the mountains. Today is Sunday, so we don’t need to worry about regular trains and have all the time we need for photo stops and runpasts. Our train consists of a Resita locomotive, a special tender, a passenger coach and several empty trucks, just as the normal train used to be, many years ago. Accommodation in a guesthouse in the mountains in Faina. |
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11.02. |
In the morning we go further up with our train, as far as possible. In the afternoon, we return to Viseu de Sus, probably with a loaded train. As this is now a normal production train, we don’t expect many photo stops. In the best case we can count on three to five possible pictures of the loaded train. Accommodation in a private pension in Viseu de Sus |
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12.02. |
We follow the regular diesel trains with a steam hauled train into the mountains. We go to Cozia, maybe only to Delta Novat so we will be back to Viseu de Sus not too late. Today we need to work around all the scheduled diesel trains and railcars and adjust our running times around them. However, some good pictures will be possible as the train stops several times on the way and we can get off and walk a bit forward and wait for the train at a good position. In the late afternoon we’ll go by charter bus to Moldovita. Accommodation in Moldovita. |
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13.02. |
At sunrise (if there is one) we run a charter train on the rebuilt line as far as it is clear of snow. We’re using logging trucks and two vans. We use an authentic Resita loco. In the afternoon/evening, charter bus transfer to a hotel in Cluj Napoca, arrival late in the evening. |
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14.02. |
Individual transport to the airport and return flight home. The flight can be booked by FarRail Tours if needed. |
The narrow gauge forest railway of Vișeu de Sus is the last remaining one in operation in
The main line starts in Viseu de Sus at the large sawmill and runs steadily uphill for 43 km to Coman at the Ukrainian border. There was also a branch line to the east, into the Novat valley, which is now demolished. The main line offers plenty of opportunities for good pictures, there are three tunnels very close together (always in the shade).
Not only is the landscape something special, the trains in themselves are also noteworthy. We will try to make up authentic trains, as they ran in the eighties, when the line belonged to the state run forestry railway CFF (Caile Ferate Forestiere) and when it was worked by steam locomotives exclusively. Besides locomotive, tender and passenger coach, we’ll carry several empty trucks for the logs uphill to the loading points. Sometimes there are forestry tractors or other machinery that have to be brought up into the forest. This equipment is carried by the railway as well.
At the intermediate stations, during unplanned stops (to raise steam pressure or get one of the log bogies on the track again) and stops for taking on water, we will have the opportunity to take pictures of the train and its surroundings. Lots of shunting activity can be seen as they leave the log bogies at the loading points. In addition we’ve planned some runpasts along the line.
While we try to sort out everything in advance, experience tells us to expect the unexpected. However, things usually work out in a very satisfactory way. So it will be the same as on our previous trips: we’ll need to arrange things on the spot, and work out the best opportunities together with the local railway staff, who will be as helpful as they can be.
Moldovița was a really nice forestry line. In its last years of operation they used a Resita (764 449) and the 0-6-0 inside frame 763 193 locomotive from Krauss/Munich. The small engine was not only the main attraction of the line, it also was amazing what this little, 50hp engine was able to pull and push uphill over the steep gradients of this line. It’s a little miracle that this unique engine survived as a plinthed loco in Viseu.
The forestry line was closed and abandoned under doubtful conditions. However, because of a few railway enthusiasts, in particular Georg Hocevar, the remains were preserved and, with the help of other railway enthusiasts, a part of the lower section of the line was refurbished. The length of the line was reduced to two kilometres just before they started to save and preserve it. Now they have rebuilt the first eleven kilometres.
We’ll make a visit to the depot where our loco will be fired. Along the line we’ll pass several old-style wooden houses. The parallel road has been partly paved in recent years, but we hope this sign of modernisation will be hidden by a layer of snow. We’ll use an authentic
The use of a specific locomotive cannot be promised on any line we’ll visit. In Viseu we'll use steam engines for our trains depending on their availability. At this moment we don’t know which steam locomotives will be operational in February 2018. The engines built by
There is no cell phone signal in the forests (luckily).
Health: no problems exist concerning your health, just stay away from bears ... The water from the numerous springs along the line in Viseu can be drunk without a problem. Even the small streams just above the first village have clear and drinkable water. The only serious health risk is if you are not careful around an operating railway. Jumping up or down from moving trains is not allowed in Viseu de Sus. Getting on or off, and travelling on the train is at your own risk, so take care along the railway. Wear good sturdy shoes, suitable for the possibility of snow.
For this tour you will need a valid passport, EU citizens only a valid ID card. A visa for citizens of the European Union is not necessary. For citizens of other countries please contact your local Romanian Embassy for details.
You’ll need little money in local currency. Food, some of which is not included in the tour price already, and beverages are quite cheap.
The tour is planned with the dedicated photographer and video filmmaker in mind. The itinerary is designed for those who think it more important to get the perfect shot than to sample the local food, bars or nightclubs.
Please remember that the accommodation, buses and the forest railway itself do not necessarily conform to current EU-standards. That’s exactly one of the reasons why we are going there. Safety and environmental standards are still not fully developed so a word of warning: Please beware of the dangers in and around the railway and other modes of transportation. An accident and health insurance policy covering foreign countries is absolutely essential. Neither FarRail Tours nor the railways can be held responsible for any accidents, delays etc.
| Romania | ||
| Winter Fairy Tale in Viseu and Moldovita | 20 to 25 participants | £780 |
| 09.02.2019 – 14.02.2019 | Single room surcharge | £90 |
| Registration Deadline: 02.11.2018 | ||
The price includes:
Not included are:
