Banovici: Class 83 double headed

Steam in Bosnia-Herzegovina 27 - 29.01.2023

Dampf in Bosnien-Herzegovina: Banovici

With two 83s once again operational at Banovici for a limited period, we are planning to run two winter special coal trains on the scenic Banovici coal railway one more time. The boiler tickets of the two 83s overlap, so until then we can run both of the Yugoslavian narrow gauge classics.

In order not to drive up costs unnecessarily, we have not planned any standard gauge actions. We have just celebrated everything that is feasible on standard gauge including runs over the state railway on the April 2022 trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the best weather. The next opportunity to do so will be in October 2023. However, we will go to the Dubrave coal mine for night shots, where a 33 should be shunting.

Dampf in Bosnien-Herzegovina: Sikulje

top

Itinerary

Date

Itinerary

27.01.

Individual arrival in the afternoon at Tuzla or Sarajevo (flights can be booked through FarRail Tours). Transfer from Tuzla or Sarajevo to the group: individual (taxi or rental car or from Sarajevo also public bus possible). Meeting of all participants in Dubrave, where we have planned a night shooting with the 33 active there. Forest hotel near Oskova

28.01.

Meeting by and visiting the railway workshop in Banovici around 9.30 am. 12.00 Departure with 2 x 83 (double headed) with nine coal wagons. After our return night shooting with 2 x 83 and a class 25 loco (Skoda-Ct) at Banovici. Overnight stay in the forestry hotel near Oskova.

29.01.

Departure Oskova about 9am with an 83 at the front end and another 83 at the rear end of the train as banker, about nine coal wagons. Around 12.15 we’ll return to Banovici, around 12:30 Oskova, where our programme ends. Return flights can be booked from approx. 18.00 hrs.

top

Line description

In Banovici, the coal railway uses, in addition to its diesel locomotives, sporadically steam locomotives for shunting service on the Bosnian gauge of 760 mm. 0-4-0 diesel locomotives are normally available for shunting work, so that steam is only spare and used if necessary. When steam is used, this can be the last operational class 25 locomotive (0-6-0 tank from Skoda) or a class 83 locomotive (0-8-2 from Slavonski Brod). The diesel locomotives 720 (0-4-0 dh) and 740 (4-4 dh) handle the main load of traffic on the partly double-tracked narrow gauge line.

Dampf in Bosnien-Herzegovina: Banovici

In winter, Oskova station lies in the shadow of the mountains until midday. However, the line winds its way out of the valley in curves – and even in the forested section, the sun should come out and find its way onto the rails around 2 pm in winter. Stare Omazice is the former branch station, where we expect sunshine for the first time (if it shines). On the double-track main line, we then pass through the village of Banovici. The line is double-tracked all the way to Grivice. Shortly before that, there are more beautiful positions with an S-curve and a mosque in the background in a long straight section, all in a gradient against empty trains.

From Grivice to the Turija open-cast mine, the line is only single-tracked. There are also interesting positions here. The entire section from Oskova to Turija is on a gradient for empty trains – where locomotives are running chimney forward.

Dampf in Bosnien-Herzegovina: Banovici

On the second day, we are particularly interested in backlit shots, where the steam from the leading locomotive should stand out vividly. With this train, we only travel as far as shortly after Grivice and then roll back so that we can safely catch our return flights.

top

Small print

We will be travelling on the brakeman's platforms of the coal wagons, so please be sure to wear appropriate clothing (i.e. which may get dirty and which provides good protection from the cold). We will also be walking a fair bit.

Arrival for this weekend trip is planned individually. We recommend travelling via Sarajevo or directly to Tuzla (Wizzair flies to Tuzla). If enough participants can be gathered to participate in hiring an 8-seater minibus from Sarajevo, I will be happy to organise it. Driving in Bosnia and Serbia is hardly different from central Europe, the roads are in a rather good condition.

Dampf in Bosnien-Herzegovina: Banovici

Dampf in Bosnien-Herzegovina: Banovici

The permit for the Kreka mines Sikulje and Dubrave as well as the workshop in Bukinje (where, however, nobody works on weekends) are no longer given to individual travellers. A (small) group would have to get together to organise such a permit. The shunting operations, however, often look like this: the locomotive stands in the same spot for 23+ hours and only spends some one hour a day shunting wagons within the mine area. There are no exact times for this; you have to be patient for many hours to see a wheel in motion.

Contrary to prejudices that are unfortunately still heard, Bosnia-Herzegovina is a civilised country with a hospitable population. Certainly, the mentality of the Bosnians is different; we are travelling to the Balkans with a completely different historical background than Central Europe has. In addition, alcohol often plays a significant role also in Muslim parts of the country. But that's all completely harmless; when on duty, the railway workers (mostly) only drink coffee anyway. Bosnia-Herzegovina is more or less ethnically divided after the civil war. We hardly notice the border to the Republic of Srpska, there are no controls or other conspicuous features.

Dampf in Bosnien-Herzegovina: Banovici

Our hotel has partly renovated rooms, but some still have socialist charm. Both types of rooms, however, have the same price. The first to book can claim one of the renovated rooms - order according to receipt of binding booking. The food is very plentiful and good. However, friends of vegetarian food will not get their money's worth; meat in all variations is part of almost every meal.

Citizens of Schengen countries and Switzerland only need their identity card to enter the country. However, we advise you to bring your passport.

Dampf in Bosnien-Herzegovina: Sikulje

Please prepare your clothing for a spectrum from bright blue skies to rain or snow and temperatures in the range of plus ten to minus 15 degrees Celsius. We will need a tripod and remote shutter release to capture atmospheric night shots.

The trip is specially designed for photographers and video film makers for whom a good picture is more important than a sumptuous meal in the top restaurant 50 km from the location. Wine and beer cost only a few Marks.

Dampf in Bosnien-Herzegovina: Banovici

As only two of the class 83 locomotives are available and only one class 25, it cannot guaranteed that we get to see the locomotives described. We will then try to find an adequate compensation. However, there can be no financial compensation for steam locomotives that do not run. We are in the age of the dying steam locomotives. The risk of a steam locomotive failing is not priced in. Technically everything can fail with a defect. That is unfortunate the way it is. We can only bear the risk. There is no breakdown insurance. But of course it is not our first trip to the Balkans, and so far it has always been very worthwhile.

Please note that the hotels and also the trains are not EU-compliant. That is why we are travelling there. We will be travelling to a country where environmental and accident protection are still underdeveloped. It is important to point out the dangers that can arise from using and staying near the railways and other means of transport. It is recommended to take out a foreign accident insurance and the always important foreign health insurance. Neither the organiser on the ground, the railways nor FarRail Tours can be held liable for accidents, disadvantages resulting from delays, etc.

top

Price

Bosnia-Herzegovina
Banovici: Class 83 Double Header 15 to 35 participants £870
27.01.2023 – 29.01.2023 Single room surcharge £35
Registration Deadline: 27.12.2022

The price includes:

Not included are:

Dampf in Bosnien-Herzegovina: Banovici

top


© FarRail Tours - e-mail: Bernd Seiler - zurück zu FarRail Tours
Click here to return to FarRail Tours