Serák

Saturday 29th January 2000

A foreign tour review By Anthony Flynn.

A report of a tour with a difference, using diesel and steam traction in the Czech Republic.

A band of 18 Brits and 1 Hungarian gathered at Brno main station at 06:00 for the 06:12 departure to Jeseník.  First problem, Daffy had left the tripod in the hotel.  The party of 13 I'd booked for found our third class seats in coach 3, lowered windows for the thrash, and was surprised to be moving backwards!  The 4 wheel shunter that had brought the stock in worked to Brno Zidence, a distance of 2 kms.

Whilst 708010 was detached we dropped off the one passenger on the wrong train.  Now it was time for the thrash to commence from T478 1001, the boiler exhaust being a good flame out experience. (Yes, steam heat in the year 2000!)  The noise being produced by the 1964 built type 2 Bo-Bo would be best described as a type 2/3 EE/Sulzer combination, similar to a slug. First problem, dragging brakes in our coach, but after a kicking during an additional station stop all seemed.The walk to the buffet coach, coach 2, was thankfully short as the gangways were open, but the beer had to be bought.  Half liter bottles of Holba Serák at 12 kcs each, 22p, 3 kcs being the deposit. We were taking in turns to buy some very large rounds.

All to soon Olomouc was reached where the engine change was scheduled, T478 1001 for 464 202, a big green 4-8-4 steam engine. Unfortunately a sticking door and Czech effiency meant no decent phot was available, the shunter immediately getting in between, whislt another train ran in on platform 2 and a replacement engine dropped on there as well.

Lots of clag from the kettle on departure, and time for the Czech equivelent of muppet to ching us for the tour, 150 kcs for the ticket, 40 kcs for the each way seat reservation, all for a tad over £4!!!  Would HR, Pathfinder, FSS etc please take note!

46 kms later and we arrive for the first water stop at Zábreh na Moravê . The train arrived on the line next to the station buildings, then it is 2 more running lines and an island platform, then the yard. Stand where you want for your photograph and just move when a train blows it horn.  H+SE?  Railtrack?  Who cares?

Time to branch off the DC main and head to Hanusovice and another water stop, just 29 km this time. Also the snow has started to fall again.  Hanusovice is the start of the climb to Ramzová, a distance of 21 km.  The run to Jindrichov is quite gentle, but it slowly steepens as we climb up to Branná, the arrival is about 1/45.  It is flat in the actual station, but now the thrash really begins, 6 km at approx 1/40.  Unlike the lickey, this gradient twists and turns more than the south Devon banks.  At one of the open level crossings a M reg red Rover was viewed.  Sir, if you read this you may be able to sell a few phots of this tour.

Although 464 202 had started the climb well,  I'd say the last 2 km were done at a best of 10-15 kph.  Neil Atiken offered to pull the cord in an attempt to get a 751, as it would be very doubtful if the kettle could restart the train. Ostruzná was eventually reached, well late, and the last part of the bank, Ostrunzá - Ramzová was done with ease. Downhill to Lipová Láznê where we were to cross the 11:01 JesenÍk - Brno, which was silent 749 265 as booked.  Hans and Schwartz made the leap as they were ready,  Dave Snow wasn't, and missed! More phots on arrival at JesenÍk and another beer in the buffet, Staropramen at 23p a ½ liter.

A slight spilt as five went to a resturant, whilst the rest decided on an hour long snowball fight and then a meal.  We all met back for the 15:22 to Olomouc with loud 749 258, but as it was only load 4, not the best run.  Some bailed to rejoin the kettle, and bellowed that 464 202 was now PUSHING the stock up the hill to Ramzová, over the open road crossings of course. After tonning it under the wires from Zábreh to Olomouc we went over to the Hotel Sigma for another meal and then back to the station to phot T478 1001 before returning to Brno and more beer.

My move for the day.

The tour codes were R34207 out, R32406 coming back, and the service train was R11906.  Nashledou!

Anthony Flynn

The next CD tour will over the weekend 11/12 November from Praha to Krnov and return.  Approx 674 km for £8.  See you there!

It is also hoped to run a mini diesel gala day/weekend in the Zvolen area, south Slovakia during either June or July.  This will involve loud diesels on good hills for a not too expensive bash.  More details will be avaliable from Neil Atiken on 07801 075588 (if calling from outside the UK : +44 7801 075588) in the near future.

Anthony Flynn

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