Thursday, 6 March 2014

The Canadian Pacific, Canada.






The Canadian Pacific Railway founded in 1881 and now operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited It owns approximately 14,000 miles (22,500 km) of track all across Canada and into the United States, stretching from Montreal to Vancouver and as far north as Edmonton. Its rail network also serves major cities in the United States, such as Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago and New York City. The railway was originally built between Eastern Canada and British Columbia between 1881 and 1885 fulfilling a promise extended to British Columbia when it entered Confederation in 1871. Its primary passenger services were eliminated in 1986, after being assumed by Via Rail Canada. The trains journey is known as the scenic dome route across Canada.

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

Stem Locomotive JL 3448 along the Moscow Little Ring Railway, Russia.






Steam locomotives class "L" (2-10-0) moves with tourist train along Moscow Little Ring Railway. The Russian steam locomotive class "L" (type 2-10-0) was a main type of Russian steam locomotives after Second World War. It was built between 1947 and 1955; 4200 locomotives were built. In nowadays is about 10 such locomotives remained in work in Russia. The Moscow Little Ring Railway is a ring-shaped railway which encircles the center of the city of Moscow. It was built between 1902 and 1908 and is currently used for cargo traffic. The railroad is operated by the Moscow Railway. The total length of the ring is 54 kilometres (34 miles).


Tuesday, 11 February 2014

Massawa - Asmara Railway Line, Eritrea.




The construction of the narrow-gauge railway line between Massawa and Asmara begun in Autumn of 1887 by the Italians to provide supply routes to the advanced army positions  as well as the transportation of raw materials intended to be mined in Eritrea. The line reached Asmara in December 1911 and the Agordat terminus in 1928. 

The trains, surplus material of Italian origin, serviced 30 stations, took 1548 curves, and were plunging in and out 39 tunnels,  passing 65 bridges and viaducts. 38 trains were running in 24 hours in each direction on the Asmara - Massawa line. The historic railway covered 306.4 kms on a route from the port of Massawa to Agordat via Asmara and Keren. 

 Its route ascends from the coastal plain at sea level, clinging tightly to the edge of the steep escarpment before reaching the Asmara plateau at 2394 meters above sea level and then descending to an altitude of 650 meters to the Barka lowlands in Agordat. This sharp increase and decrease in altitude within a short distance, the beautiful scenery it crosses, and the artistically built bridges and tunnels makes the line uniquely spectacular. 

. It had been deteriorating due to the negligence of the Ethiopian administration. The railway stopped its operation in 1975 during the war of liberation, when Ethiopian forces destroyed the railway, and finally was closed in 1976. After 20 years of destruction, despite other priorities, the government of Eritrea launched a project to rehabilitate the railway system in May 1994, 

The service between Massawa and Ghinda resumed in 1996 and the Massawa - Asmara line was completed in February 2003. The stretch between Nefasit and Asmara is the most remarkable. With over 20 tunnels, 65 bridges and viaducts and an incline of 1:30 this section is a triumph of Italian engineering, and now a symbol of national pride and self-reliance. 

It is a fascinating experience to enjoy the marvelous authentic 1930s vintage Mallet steam locomotive or Littorina railcar ride run by senior operators, older than the locomotives themselves. It is one of the most tortuous mountain railways on earth, through a picturesque scenery, tunnels and bridges, that make the line spectacular and one of the best tourist sights in the world.

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

A Local Railway Scenary in Netherlands.



A local scenery in Netherlands where a train is approaching a un identified railway station in Nertherlands. 

Friday, 17 January 2014

Carriages of Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, U. S.A.




Burlington's afternoon fleet to the Twin Cities lines up in Chicago in the late 1950's. Northern Pacific's Vista Dome "North Coast Limited" is rounded out with a 390 series sleeper-observation car containing four bedrooms and one compartment in addition to its buffet observation lounge. It was built in 1948 when NP streamlined the "N.C.L.," Great Northern # 1197, "Grand Coulee" bring up the rear of the Great Dome "Empire Builder". Pullman-Standard built the car in 1947, for the firtst streamlined "Empire Builder". When domes were added to the "E.B" in 1955, the "Coulee" observations were re-built and six roomettes were added. Burlington's Vista Dome Observation " Silver Terrace" was built by Budd for the "Kansas City Zephyr", but here it is carrying the markers of the Chicago to Twin Cities "Afternoon Zephyr". The "Zephyr" terminates in Minneapolis, and the "N.C.L" and "E.B" are turned over to their respective parent roads for their transcontinental journey to Seattle and Portland.

A Typical Local Train in Belarus.




This is a typical local train hulled by a Diesel Locomotive in Belarus. 

Saturday, 11 January 2014

Kyushu Railway, Japan.




Kyushu Railway was a company that built and operated railways in Kyushu, one of four main islands of Japan. Most of its lines came under the control of Japan Railways following nationalization in 1907, and many are now operated by Kyushu Railway Company.  Here you see a train on the railway line between Kumamoto and Miyaji.

Friday, 10 January 2014

A Steam Locomotive in Netherlands.


Guterzugdampf Locomotive with a Passenger Train, Germany.



This is Locomotive Number 86 549 (Guterzugdampf Locomotive) with a passenger train in Crottendorf, Germany in January 1969.

DR Class 132 / DBAG Class 232 Locomotive, Germany



DR Class 132 or DBAG Class 232 Locomotives built in 1972, and entered the service in 1974.

They were produced in the Soviet Union in Luhansk, Ukraine from the 1970s onwards, and were imported into the GDR. After the reunification of Germany the Deutsche Bahn (DBAG) inherited them and continue to make use of them - mainly as heavy freight locomotives.

Here Locomotive Number 232 457 is hauling a heavy freight train loaded with coal through the country side of Germany near Narsdorf in 2006.