Slovenia Railways

[andersley]

This is Jesenice, which is the border station with Austria. As the two countries use different voltage catenary, locomotive changes are neccessary.

This was the very first locomotive I photographed on our first visit to Slovenia in 2007. "Brigitte" series 363.


This train is arriving from Austria and as there is a dead section in the catenary, both locomotives have lowered the pantographs and are coasting in. The front "Taurus" is dual voltage so will switch to the SZ voltage pantograph to push the other locomotive back to the Austrian side (it is single voltage only).


The "Taurus" has pulled the 1044 forward and has now pushed it back towards Austrin end of the station - it is freewheeling!


Still rolling!


As it is the same type as the SZ 541, the OBB 1216 will continue deep into Slovenia with the train.


An internation express arrives from Ljubljana behind an SZ 342 "Moped". This will be removed and replaced by the OBB 1044 which just arrived with the freight.


As the 342 has coasted to the Austrian end, the 1044 is coupld to pull it off and propel it back to the Slovenian end. The 1044 will then take the train on to Villach.

[andersley]

A 643 "Durica" passes through. These are used for shunting and trip workings.


The 1044 ready to depart for Villach


The Siemens 541's are the newest locomotives on SZ.

[nachoman]

Fascinating! It is interesting to look at how railroads look in different parts of the world, and correlate that to the geography and sociology of each country. Perhaps I should just enjoy the photos and not think too deeply about things!!

[andersley]

Bohinjska Bistrica station on the non-electrified line to Nova Gorice. This is an absolutely beautiful route (as are most routes in Slovenia).


Signalling equipment in the station managers office


My favourite SZ diesel is the General Motors "Reagan" 664. Similar to US 'tunnel motors'.


My friend Misko talking to the driver




Reagans are not turned, so they regularly run long hood forwards


A local passenger train for Nova Gorice pauses at Bled Jesero


Another, in the opposite direction, headed for Jesenice emerges from the tunnel


arrival and departure


A Reagan shunts the sidings

[andersley]

Fascinating! It is interesting to look at how railroads look in different parts of the world, and correlate that to the geography and sociology of each country. Perhaps I should just enjoy the photos and not think too deeply about things!!

As long as you enjoy them - I will post some more soon.

[TrainNut]

Sooo, as you were describing the border change swap at the top, it got me to wondering... the locomotives that are only electric... don't they have a big enough battery bank to be self propelled for a short distance? Or, once the catenary is lowered, no power period? ...no battery bank?

[andersley]

Electric locomotives do have batteries, but nowhere near enough power for traction. Remember, they run on 15,000V AC (Austria) and 3,000V DC (Slovenia). That would take an awfully big battery!

The batteries are purely for things like lights, compressors, etc. (for instance, they have to have power to raise the pantographs).

[e-paw]

The batteries would be dead before the train moved a foot. A small deisel hooked up to a generator would do the trick, Don't know If that idea was ever put into use.

[Ralph]

The locomotive change makes for an interesting set of equipment movements. Thanks for sharing all of the photos. I rather like the GM "Reagan". It's a beefy looking loco! That shot of it approaching the tunnel portal would make a nice model railroad scene!
Ralph

[andersley]

The thing about Slovenia is that virtually everywhere you look would make a great model scene.

[TinGoat]

Wow! this is a great set of pictures.

The Exotic equipment is really cool.

This was the very first locomotive I photographed on our first visit to Slovenia in 2007. "Brigitte" series 363.

This type of locomotive always reminds me of the Old Winnebago motor homes.

[andersley]

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[tetters]

The best thing about these photos is that just by looking at them you know that they are European. Even without any descriptive or comments you'd just know as the equipment just has that Euro flare to it.

Thanks for sharing them!

[tetters]

Wow! this is a great set of pictures.

The Exotic equipment is really cool.

This was the very first locomotive I photographed on our first visit to Slovenia in 2007. "Brigitte" series 363.

This type of locomotive always reminds me of the Old Winnebago motor homes.

Remember Spaceballs?