Bulgaria is a lovely country full of enterprising hard working people. An underpopulated area that economic migrants don't want to settle in but a land of opportunity and prosperity for those who knuckle down and work. I have visited twice and am pleased to see one of my sons speaks Bulgarian well through Bulgarian music. He has translated for us and has Bulgarian expat friends here in the UK
Hi, where I live in the UK, there are a large number of people from Central and Eastern European countries. When I visit the places they come from, I wonder why they have chosen to move from such beautiful places with plenty of room to live on a crowded Island in cramped accommodation. Bulgaria has so much to offer, people who are prepared to graft will do well where ever they live. Your son has done well to learn Bulgarian through music, I have met French people who learned English from watching American and British films. Bulgaria is very under-rated, I loved my time there and the people were friendly.
@@Timsvideochannel1 Not now. I lived in Hathershaw between 1990 and 1999. Lots of Romanians there now. We pop over to buy East European produce from time to time.
Thank you. That locomotive is a champion. She runs like a Swiss clock. The engineer is a real artist with the whistle too. He should be playing with the Sofia Philharmonic. MOW is a bit spotty but I see they are out there working on it. Lots of people standing by the tracks to watch her go by. Too bad there were no run-bys. Have you ever heard Artur Honegger's symphonic suite "Pacific 231"
The locomotive really looked the part, a product of the Swiss Locomotive and Machinery Company (Winterthur), founded in 1871 by the British engineer Charles Brown, it certainly has a wonderful pedigree. The whistle reminded me of a Gresley chime whistle as fitted to A4 steam locomotives , such as "Mallard". I have not come across "Pacific 231" so I looked it up - th-cam.com/video/svFA-m62iks/w-d-xo.html most enjoyable to listen to. Trains make their own music with a clickity clack as they pass over the rail joints, interrupted occasionally by a much louder clatter as they cross junctions, the whistle announcing their arrival or saying "beware". People always seem to be smiling when they look up to watch a steam train pass by. There were no run-bys on the main line, but later in the week when we ventured onto lightly used branch lines we were treated to numerous run-bys with Henschel 4-8-2 No.03.12 - th-cam.com/video/wzgVyTaSUiU/w-d-xo.html
Mozart should have had that whistle. Another piece of classical music you might enjoy is Heitor Villa-Lobos, the Little Train of Caipira which portrays a steam train at th-cam.com/video/8mZSm1TfQHM/w-d-xo.html
The whistle had a deep tone making it sound dignified and important, rather than the high pitch screech some engines make, it reminded me of a Gresley chime whistle. The countryside along this part of the route was very scenic .... Tim
Its a nice route, please click on this link to see the engine in action - th-cam.com/video/moTHwvDE-KQ/w-d-xo.html - PS this guy puts up some interesting stuff.
Well photographed and edited. I often wondered what parts of Bulgaria looked like - much more scenic than I imagined. It's also good to see passenger trains like they used to be where you can roll up the windows- not like those hermetically sealed tin cans currently all over western Europe. Thanks for sharing! Hugh in Vancouver, Canada.
Hugh Martell Hi Hugh, I was not sure what to expect when I took this trip to Bulgaria, it was like slipping back to a time when life was much more relaxed. The scenery was pleasant and the trains were similar to those I travelled on in England during the 70's, as you pointed out with opening windows and plenty of space. This tour was an all round enjoyable experience ... thanks for taking time to comment ... Tim.
Fun video! I used to take that route several times a year as a kid, visiting grandparents in Pleven (my parents lived in Sofia), and recognized many parts of it. Must be fun to do it on a heritage train! Thanks for sharing!
You must have some good memories of the trips your made between Pleven and Sofia. Travelling in a heritage train, leaning from the window to see a beautiful steam engine powering our train through the Iskar Gorge was a wonderful experience.
I must admit, I didn't even know this service existed. You've inspired me: next time I visit Bulgaria, I'll try to time it accordingly, so that I can do this as well.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, BDZ's website isn't particularly generous with practical information such as schedules or pricing. How did you ever find out about this?
www.railwaytouring.net/travel-tours/the-black-sea-express Hi I travelled with the "Railway Touring Company" Above is the link for this years tour. The tour included all food, drink (including beer and wine), accommodation and hotel transfers.
Cheers Steve, travelling in part of King Boris III's royal train hauled by several beautifully kept steam engines has to be the best way to see Bulgaria .... Bye for now .... Tim.
Hi Mike, I'm please you enjoyed some of my videos. I have just booked my place on the Railway Touring Company's "Steam in the former Yugoslavia" trip. I hope to visit Kandersteg again soon. Regards. Tim.
I like Bulgarian railways. I visited in August and got a glimpse at Burgas railway station. There was a former British Railways Class 87 electric in the sidings there. I know 87s and 92s are used on freights in Bulgaria. It's sad the UK freight companies do not use them more: It's not just a lack of electric routes in the UK but a lack of sidings and changeover points due to overrationalisation.
Hi, I was surprised to see ex British Rail locomotives looking just as they did in the UK, even in their original livery in some cases. I do wonder why MP's talk about the 25 kv overhead electric spine from Scotland to Southampton when the route is already electrified, albeit some at 750 Volts DC third rail and the class 92 locomotives capable of running on both systems are exiled to Bulgaria.
I suppose it's because so many politicians in the UK are interested in short term money instead of caring for the whole picture. As you say all electric operation is already possible with dc electrification on the Southern You need to read books on psychology to understand. Martha Stout's The Sociopath next Door and Andrew Lobaczewski's Political Ponerology are good starts..
I'll look out for those books, not really sure what makes politicians tick, ideally they should be working for the common good, unfortunately they have a short lifespan one or two terms in government, then the other mob gains power and reverses the policies of the previous mob. Travel has taught me a lot about the country I live in and how short term planning leads to long term headaches. I would love to see transport and education removed from the political arena, as both are far too important to be trusted to politicians. Oh dear I'm becoming cynical in my old age.
Wonderful video,Bulgaria is a beautiful country,Are the mountin's the balkans,I really miss the day's of steam on the nsw railway's,Thank's again tim for another fine vid cheer's bob from "GOD'S" COUNTRY.
Hi Robert, I love the Bulgarian landscape and you are correct, the mountains are the Balkens. This train is a special, steam is not an everyday occurrence in Bulgaria. For more information on the Iskar Gorge please click on this link - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iskar_Gorge
Has a lot of this route been recently double tracked from single line working? This route looks as if it has had money invested from the level crossings new track and overhead catenary.
Hi, I believe the line had been doubled many years ago, but it did look as though a lot of money was being spent on updating the track and overhead catenary. You may find this video from bdz43r interesting th-cam.com/video/y616xQpAm2Q/w-d-xo.html
Hi Colin, thanks for the feedback, I tend to only edit the longest tunnels in more recent videos, although when transiting a tunnel with a steam locomotive it really is black until the light at the end of tunnel appears.
Awesome trip again --was wandering was that the speed of that train or was it the video? Glad the dog got across the tracks. Thanks for sharing. Safe travels ahead. God bless.
The video is all real time, nothing sped up. Animals are always running in front of trains, but I have never seen one hit, although one or two donkeys and cows had near escapes in India.
+Michael Gilchrist Hi Mike, I don't think this trip was advertised in Bulgaria and Greece, so most people would not have known it was running. A few locals who heard the train took photographs and one or two serious photographers followed our progress, not like tours in the UK where there would have been a fair number of people along the line side.
Tim, a very nice video, an thank u much, please make more, I love watching these train videos. u do a great job Tim. agn, thank u,.Ron, in N. W. OHIO U S A ..Sept.8/2015
+Ron Winke Hi Ron, thank-you for your kind comment, there are plenty more in the pipeline. It's takes a while to edit them, but I aim to publish four a month.
At 38:23 on the concrete wall a communist slogan can be seen that reads: "Firm railroad - safe transport". The letters probably made of steel have obviously gone :) Thanks for the great video and btw, a lot of people from Mezdra (the last station) work in Sofia and take this route every working day.
Hi, thank you for the translation - interesting. I'm pleased you enjoyed the video. Commuters between Mezdra and Sofia enjoy a nice ride, beats sitting in a traffic jam struggling to get to work in the UK, looking at the long closed railway next to the road and wishing the trains still ran.
Hello, I looked on the internet to find the answer, it was still running in 2019 and as far as I'm aware it is still in working order, although there is a chance that it has been withdrawn for an overhaul.
Thank you for your comment, I really enjoyed visiting Bulgaria and meeting Bulgarian people, the country is beautiful and I look forward to returning one day .... Tim.
Hi, steam trains aren't an everyday thing in Bulgaria, although there are a number of engines cleared to run on the mainline with specials such as this one. Much of the Bulgarian railway system was stuck in a time warp when I shot this video, things haven't changed much since the sixties, making this beautiful old steam locomotive look right at home.
I love the work of ancient engineers, their work is great. Until now, it still seems amazing. Thank you for presenting a video that can remind past memories.
@@wageop4767 It is nice to know you enjoyed this video. Some of the old steam locomotives are works of art, they were built with pride and a love of engineering.
@@Timsvideochannel1 I personally really admire George Stephensen, the inventor of the steam locomotive and James Waat, the inventor of the steam engine. For his work, he has contributed to starting technology that is useful and leads to technological progress for the world.
@@wageop4767 Before the invention of the steam engine, we relied on animal, wind or water power. The advent of steam revolutionized manufacturing and transport, the men you mention will be remembered forever for their contribution to the life we lake for granted these days, I wonder what next great invention will be?
+Boncho Nikov Travelling with this train was a terrific experience, I am glad I was lucky enough to be able to do it. The engine was a credit to the crew and all those who made it possible. It is a shame it is not allowed to roam the network more often as many of those who saw smiled and gave a friendly wave.
Seems a french train. And the cameraman could have moved his ass out f the compartment and its window to videotape the loco minutes before departure, or why not the wheels making first spins, then jumped on back aboard. Only like this is dull.
Hi, the locomotive was built in Switzerland although it does have French look to it. I would love to be able to move my ass as suggested, but I'm little too old to film the train leaving then jump back onboard.
Bulgaria is a lovely country full of enterprising hard working people. An underpopulated area that economic migrants don't want to settle in but a land of opportunity and prosperity for those who knuckle down and work. I have visited twice and am pleased to see one of my sons speaks Bulgarian well through Bulgarian music. He has translated for us and has Bulgarian expat friends here in the UK
Hi, where I live in the UK, there are a large number of people from Central and Eastern European countries. When I visit the places they come from, I wonder why they have chosen to move from such beautiful places with plenty of room to live on a crowded Island in cramped accommodation. Bulgaria has so much to offer, people who are prepared to graft will do well where ever they live. Your son has done well to learn Bulgarian through music, I have met French people who learned English from watching American and British films. Bulgaria is very under-rated, I loved my time there and the people were friendly.
@@Timsvideochannel1 From Sibiu to Oldham: Not a good move
@@Isochest Are you living in Oldham now?
@@Timsvideochannel1 Not now. I lived in Hathershaw between 1990 and 1999. Lots of Romanians there now. We pop over to buy East European produce from time to time.
Thank you. That locomotive is a champion. She runs like a Swiss clock. The engineer is a real artist with the whistle too. He should be playing with the Sofia Philharmonic. MOW is a bit spotty but I see they are out there working on it. Lots of people standing by the tracks to watch her go by. Too bad there were no run-bys. Have you ever heard Artur Honegger's symphonic suite "Pacific 231"
The locomotive really looked the part, a product of the Swiss Locomotive and Machinery Company (Winterthur), founded in 1871 by the British engineer Charles Brown, it certainly has a wonderful pedigree. The whistle reminded me of a Gresley chime whistle as fitted to A4 steam locomotives , such as "Mallard". I have not come across "Pacific 231" so I looked it up - th-cam.com/video/svFA-m62iks/w-d-xo.html most enjoyable to listen to. Trains make their own music with a clickity clack as they pass over the rail joints, interrupted occasionally by a much louder clatter as they cross junctions, the whistle announcing their arrival or saying "beware". People always seem to be smiling when they look up to watch a steam train pass by. There were no run-bys on the main line, but later in the week when we ventured onto lightly used branch lines we were treated to numerous run-bys with Henschel 4-8-2 No.03.12 -
th-cam.com/video/wzgVyTaSUiU/w-d-xo.html
Mozart should have had that whistle. Another piece of classical music you might enjoy is Heitor Villa-Lobos, the Little Train of Caipira which portrays a steam train at th-cam.com/video/8mZSm1TfQHM/w-d-xo.html
Thanks, I enjoyed listening and the accompanying photos were fascinating.
What a lovely whistle that engine has.
Bulgaria seems to be such a lush country.
The whistle had a deep tone making it sound dignified and important, rather than the high pitch screech some engines make, it reminded me of a Gresley chime whistle. The countryside along this part of the route was very scenic .... Tim
one impressive gorge...would have like shots of the steam engine...
Its a nice route, please click on this link to see the engine in action - th-cam.com/video/moTHwvDE-KQ/w-d-xo.html - PS this guy puts up some interesting stuff.
Well photographed and edited. I often wondered what parts of Bulgaria looked like - much more scenic than I imagined. It's also good to see passenger trains like they used to be where you can roll up the windows- not like those hermetically sealed tin cans currently all over western Europe. Thanks for sharing! Hugh in Vancouver, Canada.
Hugh Martell Hi Hugh, I was not sure what to expect when I took this trip to Bulgaria, it was like slipping back to a time when life was much more relaxed. The scenery was pleasant and the trains were similar to those I travelled on in England during the 70's, as you pointed out with opening windows and plenty of space. This tour was an all round enjoyable experience ... thanks for taking time to comment ... Tim.
Fun video! I used to take that route several times a year as a kid, visiting grandparents in Pleven (my parents lived in Sofia), and recognized many parts of it. Must be fun to do it on a heritage train! Thanks for sharing!
You must have some good memories of the trips your made between Pleven and Sofia. Travelling in a heritage train, leaning from the window to see a beautiful steam engine powering our train through the Iskar Gorge was a wonderful experience.
I must admit, I didn't even know this service existed. You've inspired me: next time I visit Bulgaria, I'll try to time it accordingly, so that I can do this as well.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, BDZ's website isn't particularly generous with practical information such as schedules or pricing. How did you ever find out about this?
www.railwaytouring.net/travel-tours/the-black-sea-express Hi I travelled with the "Railway Touring Company" Above is the link for this years tour. The tour included all food, drink (including beer and wine), accommodation and hotel transfers.
Excellent video Tim....loved that Loco's chime....just awesome....best wishes....Steve.
Cheers Steve, travelling in part of King Boris III's royal train hauled by several beautifully kept steam engines has to be the best way to see Bulgaria .... Bye for now .... Tim.
très belle vidéo paysage magnifique merci pour ce beau voyage
Je vous remercie, je suis heureux que vous avez aimé la vidéo.
Love what you film it is most enjoyable! Going back to Kandersteg soon> Regards and thanks Mike
Hi Mike, I'm please you enjoyed some of my videos. I have just booked my place on the Railway Touring Company's "Steam in the former Yugoslavia" trip. I hope to visit Kandersteg again soon. Regards. Tim.
Balade dans votre beau pays . Merci pour vos belles vallées et falaises !!! Un bonjour de FRANCE ce 22/11/17
Bonjour, je suis heureux que vous avez aimé ce voyage en train à travers la belle Bulgarie.
Love from Romania! сестри :)
+Robert Marcea
Best wishes from an Englishman who visited Bulgaria.
very enjoyable, never been to Bulgaria before :)
+SupernalOne
Cheers, I'm pleased you enjoyed your first visit to Bulgaria :-)
Fantastic video.
Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.
Amazing !!!
Congratulation
Thank you.
What is the name of those mountains and rock formations at 23:17? Spectacular!
The Iskar pass is cut through Balken Mountains. Please click on this link for more information - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iskar_Gorge
thanks!
Very nice video.! :)
Enjoyed. Convey my regards to all
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride and your regards are appreciated. I hope you are keeping well. Stay safe and take care. Tim.
Great sounding whistle
Superb whistle on a good looking engine.
Excellent video !
Thank you.
Super jazda piękne widoki pozdrawiam z Polski
Dziękuję, cieszę się, że podobała ci się jazda. Najlepsze życzenia z Anglii.
I LOVE THAT WHISTLE!!!!
***** Everyone knew this train was coming.
I like Bulgarian railways. I visited in August and got a glimpse at Burgas railway station. There was a former British Railways Class 87 electric in the sidings there. I know 87s and 92s are used on freights in Bulgaria. It's sad the UK freight companies do not use them more: It's not just a lack of electric routes in the UK but a lack of sidings and changeover points due to overrationalisation.
Hi, I was surprised to see ex British Rail locomotives looking just as they did in the UK, even in their original livery in some cases. I do wonder why MP's talk about the 25 kv overhead electric spine from Scotland to Southampton when the route is already electrified, albeit some at 750 Volts DC third rail and the class 92 locomotives capable of running on both systems are exiled to Bulgaria.
I suppose it's because so many politicians in the UK are interested in short term money instead of caring for the whole picture. As you say all electric operation is already possible with dc electrification on the Southern You need to read books on psychology to understand. Martha Stout's The Sociopath next Door and Andrew Lobaczewski's Political Ponerology are good starts..
I'll look out for those books, not really sure what makes politicians tick, ideally they should be working for the common good, unfortunately they have a short lifespan one or two terms in government, then the other mob gains power and reverses the policies of the previous mob. Travel has taught me a lot about the country I live in and how short term planning leads to long term headaches. I would love to see transport and education removed from the political arena, as both are far too important to be trusted to politicians. Oh dear I'm becoming cynical in my old age.
Government is too important for us all to be entrusted to elites. They enrich themselves at our expense. We all matter.
Wonderful video,Bulgaria is a beautiful country,Are the mountin's the balkans,I really miss the day's of steam on the nsw railway's,Thank's again tim for another fine vid cheer's bob from "GOD'S" COUNTRY.
Hi Robert, I love the Bulgarian landscape and you are correct, the mountains are the Balkens. This train is a special, steam is not an everyday occurrence in Bulgaria. For more information on the Iskar Gorge please click on this link - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iskar_Gorge
(25:00 & whole video) Balkan railway at its best.
Splendid !!!!.
Nice video ! 😃 💪 👍
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it :-)
Has a lot of this route been recently double tracked from single line working? This route looks as if it has had money invested from the level crossings new track and overhead catenary.
Hi, I believe the line had been doubled many years ago, but it did look as though a lot of money was being spent on updating the track and overhead catenary. You may find this video from bdz43r interesting th-cam.com/video/y616xQpAm2Q/w-d-xo.html
Hi there, Tim - another great video. But please don't edit out all of the tunnel transits as they are part of the atmosphere of the total package.
Hi Colin, thanks for the feedback, I tend to only edit the longest tunnels in more recent videos, although when transiting a tunnel with a steam locomotive it really is black until the light at the end of tunnel appears.
Awesome trip again --was wandering was that the speed of that train or was it the video? Glad the dog got across the tracks. Thanks for sharing. Safe travels ahead. God bless.
The video is all real time, nothing sped up. Animals are always running in front of trains, but I have never seen one hit, although one or two donkeys and cows had near escapes in India.
you certainly get around Tim i noticed that there wasnt many people along the route Why? mike
+Michael Gilchrist
Hi Mike, I don't think this trip was advertised in Bulgaria and Greece, so most people would not have known it was running. A few locals who heard the train took photographs and one or two serious photographers followed our progress, not like tours in the UK where there would have been a fair number of people along the line side.
Michael Gilchrist Ч
Tim, a very nice video, an thank u much, please make more, I love watching these train videos. u do a great job Tim. agn, thank u,.Ron, in N. W. OHIO U S A ..Sept.8/2015
+Ron Winke Hi Ron, thank-you for your kind comment, there are plenty more in the pipeline. It's takes a while to edit them, but I aim to publish four a month.
At 38:23 on the concrete wall a communist slogan can be seen that reads: "Firm railroad - safe transport". The letters probably made of steel have obviously gone :)
Thanks for the great video and btw, a lot of people from Mezdra (the last station) work in Sofia and take this route every working day.
Hi, thank you for the translation - interesting. I'm pleased you enjoyed the video. Commuters between Mezdra and Sofia enjoy a nice ride, beats sitting in a traffic jam struggling to get to work in the UK, looking at the long closed railway next to the road and wishing the trains still ran.
Does it still drive?
Hello, I looked on the internet to find the answer, it was still running in 2019 and as far as I'm aware it is still in working order, although there is a chance that it has been withdrawn for an overhaul.
A real "Smoky Mary." Coal or fuel oil?
+geosutube
I am pretty sure it was coal fired.
As you can see we have some problems with the graffiti artists! But what a beautiful video! Me likey!!!
Thank you for your comment, I really enjoyed visiting Bulgaria and meeting Bulgarian people, the country is beautiful and I look forward to returning one day .... Tim.
reminds the past, now I am 69 years old. In Indonesia, steam trains are only for tourists.
Hi, steam trains aren't an everyday thing in Bulgaria, although there are a number of engines cleared to run on the mainline with specials such as this one. Much of the Bulgarian railway system was stuck in a time warp when I shot this video, things haven't changed much since the sixties, making this beautiful old steam locomotive look right at home.
I love the work of ancient engineers, their work is great. Until now, it still seems amazing. Thank you for presenting a video that can remind past memories.
@@wageop4767 It is nice to know you enjoyed this video. Some of the old steam locomotives are works of art, they were built with pride and a love of engineering.
@@Timsvideochannel1 I personally really admire George Stephensen, the inventor of the steam locomotive and James Waat, the inventor of the steam engine. For his work, he has contributed to starting technology that is useful and leads to technological progress for the world.
@@wageop4767 Before the invention of the steam engine, we relied on animal, wind or water power. The advent of steam revolutionized manufacturing and transport, the men you mention will be remembered forever for their contribution to the life we lake for granted these days, I wonder what next great invention will be?
I see the graffiti scourge has even reached Bulgaria!
CGT867 They are mostly cleaning it but it takes time.
shame that they let this train on the tracks only 1 or 2 times a year. But anyway i like it!
+Boncho Nikov
Travelling with this train was a terrific experience, I am glad I was lucky enough to be able to do it. The engine was a credit to the crew and all those who made it possible. It is a shame it is not allowed to roam the network more often as many of those who saw smiled and gave a friendly wave.
It's a good video, I was a bit rude.
Thanks, when I was younger I would have filmed the train starting, them jumped on board.
Seems a french train. And the cameraman could have moved his ass out f the compartment and its window to videotape the loco minutes before departure, or why not the wheels making first spins, then jumped on back aboard. Only like this is dull.
Hi, the locomotive was built in Switzerland although it does have French look to it. I would love to be able to move my ass as suggested, but I'm little too old to film the train leaving then jump back onboard.
Tunnels - - the worst aspect of steam travel!
+geosutube
Its not a good time to put your head out of the window.