Bulgarian Railways: Septemvri - Velingrad from the driver's view
Cab ride on the narrow gauge line in the Rhodope mountain from Septemvri to Velingrad with the morning train 16103 and diesel locomotive 77 009. This is the only left narrow gauge line in Bulgaria, which is still in a regular use. The whole journey takes approximately five hours through the beautiful valleys and gorges of the Rhodope mountains with wonderful views in the last part of the journey towards Rila and Pirin mountains.
The railway was built in several stages between 1921 and 1945 with total length of 125 km (78 miles). Gauge is 760 mm. The Varvara–Pazardzhik branch line, which was closed in 2002, was 16.6 km (10.3 miles) long. Due to the characteristics of the route through the mountains, the narrow-gauge line Septemvri–Dobrinishte is also known as the Alpine railway in the Balkans. Avramovo station, situated at 1267 meters above the sea, is the highest station in the Balkans.
And now just enjoy the first part of the video - from Septemvri, a station also on the main line Sofia - Plovdiv up to Velingrad - the spa capital on the Balkans.
p.s. I'm very upset about some vibrations of the camera, which you can notice when the locomotive engine is working on a high revs, but I didn't manage to do anything about this in the editing process.
Here is also the virtual timetable:
0:25 - Septemvri station
9:35 - Pamporovo halt
12:15 - Varvara station
24:00 - Marko Nikolov halt
32:50 - Tsepina halt
39:15 - stop at the railway crossing on km 16+100
50:10 - Dolene station
1:14:05 - Kostandovo station
1:26:10 - Velingrad station
Part 2 of the route is available here:
And finally - the last part of the route:
Septemvri to Dobrinishte narrow gauge railway, Bulgaria
Roof top view from the Septemvri to Dobrinishte railway in Bulgaria
Dobrinishte Septemvri narrow gauge railway
BDZ Dobrinishte Septemvri 0.76 m railway
Bulgaria: The Rhodope Mountain scenic 760mm narrow gauge railway (Septemvri to Bansko & Dobrinishte)
Bulgaria: The Rhodope Mountain scenic 760mm narrow gauge railway (Septemvri to Bansko & Dobrinishte)
A selection of clips from a 2006 visit, full train details shown in annotations...
The Septemvri - Dobrinishte narrow gauge line (Bulgarian: теснолинейка Септември — Добринище, tesnolineyka Septemvri - Dobrinishte) is the only operating narrow gauge (760 mm) line in Bulgaria. It is operated by Bulgarian State Railways (BDŽ). The line is actively used with seven passenger trains running per day. The journey takes five hours through the valleys and gorges between Rila and Rhodopes.
The route leads from Septemvri on the mainline Sofia - Plovdiv to Dobrinishte, passing Velingrad, Yakoruda, Razlog and Bansko, linking the western part of the Upper Thracian Plain with the Western Rhodopes, Rila and Pirin mountains. Due to the characteristics of the route through the mountains, the narrow gauge line Septemvri - Dobrinishte is also known as the Alpine railway in the Balkans. Avramovo station, situated at 1267 meters above the sea, is the highest station in the Balkans.
The railway was built in several stages between 1921 and 1945 with total length of 125 km (78 miles). The Varvara - Pazardzhik branch line, which was closed in 2002, was 16.6 km (10.3 miles) long.
In 1965 and 1966 ten diesel engines were delivered from Henschel AG. They are working as class 75 and are still in service now. Ten engines of class 77 are delivered in 1988 from 23 August Works of Bucharest, Romania.
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The Rhodope Mountains are a mountain range in Southeastern Europe, with over 83% of its area in southern Bulgaria and the remainder in Greece. Its highest peak, Golyam Perelik (2,191 m), is the seventh highest Bulgarian mountain.
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Henschel & Son (German: Henschel und Sohn) was a German company, located in Kassel, best known during the 20th century as a maker of transportation equipment, including locomotives, trucks, buses and trolleybuses, and armoured fighting vehicles and weapons.
Georg Christian Carl Henschel founded the factory in 1810 at Kassel. His son Carl Anton Henschel founded another factory in 1837. In 1848, the company began manufacturing locomotives. The factory became the largest locomotive manufacturer in Germany by the 20th century.
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Septemvri (Bulgarian: Септември) is a town in Pazardzhik Province, Southern Bulgaria, located at the western end of the Upper Thracian Lowland, 19 km (12 mi) away to the west from the city of Pazardzhik. It is the administrative centre of homonymous Septemvri Municipality.
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Razlog (Bulgarian: Разлог) is a town and ski resort in Razlog Municipality, Blagoevgrad Province in southwestern Bulgaria. Razlog has developed as a centre of winter tourism in the 1990s and 2000s owing to its favourable position in the vicinity of the Pirin, Rila and Rhodope mountains.
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Velingrad (Bulgarian: Велинград) is a town in Pazardzhik Province, Southern Bulgaria, located at the western end of Chepino Valley, part of the Rhodope Mountains. It is the administrative center of the homonymous Velingrad Municipality and one of the most popular Bulgarian balneological resorts. As of December 2009, the town has a population of 22,500 inhabitants.
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Bansko (Bulgarian: Банско) is a town in southwestern Bulgaria, located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains at an elevation of 925 m above sea level. It is a popular ski resort for both European and Bulgarian tourists.
The mountain peaks near the town, the numerous lakes and the old pine woods make it a popular site for recreation. Bulgaria's share in European winter tourism is steadily rising, and Bansko increasingly competes with resorts in France and Switzerland due to the comparative lower costs but not in quality.
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Dobrinishte (Bulgarian: Добринище) is a small town and ski resort in the Blagoevgrad Province, Bansko Municipality, southwestern Bulgaria. As of 2006 it has 2973 inhabitants. It is located 6 km east of Bansko, a famous winter resort. It has an altitude of 850 m and is surrounded by the Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope mountains. Dobrinishte offers good conditions for both winter and summer tourism: beautiful nature, hospitable population, ski runs, mineral waters and opportunities for rural and ecotourism.
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Narrow gauge railway Septemvri - Dobrinishte (1)
Engine 75.008-3 with passenger train in the section Varvara - Tsepina (May 9th 2012)
Bulgaria Narrow Gauge (2) Sept.04, 2008
More clips of Henschel Class 75 and Class 77 locos on passenger trains on the line between Dobrinishte and Septemvri on September 04, 2008
The Narrow-gauge Train (Septemvri - Dobrinishte)
Септември - Добринище по Чепинска река
A train trip along river Chepinska between Rila and Rhodope mountains towards Pirin mountain
Narrow guage railway from Septemvri to Bansko, Bulgaria
A short video of the narrow guage railway from Septemvri to Bansko. Apologies that it is a bit shaky...it was a shaky train, I was using a long lens and no tripod. Also, I filmed from both sides of the train so this sometimes gives the illusion of travelling in different directions in different clips. And I've taken a few liberties with the order of the clips.
Music by Sigur Ros.
Bulgarian Naroow GAUGE 760mm Septemvri - Dobrinishte
The videos are from Septemvri - Velingrad
Bulgaria narrow train SEPTEMVRI - DOBRINISHTE
Bulgarije Smalspoortrein Dobrinishte Septemvri Bulgaria Narrow Gauge Railroad Dobrinishte Septemvri
Narrow gauge railway Septemvri - Dobrinishte (2)
Engine 75.008-3 with passenger train in the section Tsepina - Dolene (May 9th 2012)
Bulgarian Railways: Special train on the 760 mm railway
For the 90th anniversary of the 760 mm gauge railway Septemvri - Dobrinishte, regular train 16103/16106 was hauled by two locomotives and twelve cars. Overall more than 350 people cаme for the 90th birthday of this beautiful line to travel the whole 125 km route. At all we must be thankfull to a young boy, who is the main causer for this special event. Almost on the every station there were an organized events with traditional bulgarian songs and dances. The locomotives were graced with а wreath and the national flag. Everyone turns his head, when saw this enormous train crowded with enthusiasts.
Just enjoy the video which I made from a many different locations on the line.
130501 Bansko - Septemvri 1 (Septemvri Dobrinishte narrow gauge line)
BDZ Dobrinishte Septemvri narrow gauge railway
Bulgarian Railways: Narrow gauge steam locomotive 609.76
The only steam locomotive for a 760 mm gauge in Bulgaria - 609.76 with the special train of IGE Erlebnisreisen on it's way from Septemvri to Velingrad, on the narrow gauge line. The locomotive is made in 1939 in Pierwsza fabryka lokomotyw w Polsce', Chrzanow, Poland. In the 70's is taken out of service, but it was restored in 2004 as a museum locomotive. Unfortunately there are rumors that this trip will be the last for the locomotive. The boiler deadline expires and nobody knows what will happen in the future. It will be very sad if on the narrow gauge line doesn't run more a steam engine. :(
Steam attraction in Rhodope railway (Bulgaria) part 1 Septemvri - Dobrinishte
теснолинейка Септември – Добринище / Narrow train line in Bulgaria 4K
The Septemvri–Dobrinishte narrow-gauge line (Bulgarian: теснолинейка Септември – Добринище, tesnolineyka Septemvri–Dobrinishte) is the only operating 760 mm (2 ft 5 15⁄16 in) narrow-gauge line in Bulgaria. It is operated by Bulgarian State Railways (BDŽ). The line is actively used with four passenger trains running the length of the line in each direction per day. The journey takes five hours through the valleys and gorges between Rila and Rhodopes.
The route leads from Septemvri on the mainline Sofia–Plovdiv to Dobrinishte, passing Velingrad, Yakoruda, Razlog and Bansko, linking the western part of the Upper Thracian Plain with the Western Rhodopes, Rila and Pirin mountains. Due to the characteristics of the route through the mountains, the narrow-gauge line Septemvri–Dobrinishte is also known as the Alpine railway in the Balkans. Avramovo station, situated at 1267 meters above the sea, is the highest station in the Balkans.
The railway was built in several stages between 1921 and 1945 with total length of 125 km (78 miles). The Varvara–Pazardzhik branch line, which was closed in 2002, was 16.6 km (10.3 miles) long.
Septemvri–Dobrinishte narrow-gauge line Теснолинейката
Septemvri–Dobrinishte narrow-gauge line steam engine used till today for tourism
Bulgaria Narrow Gauge (3) Sept.04, 2008
Henschel diesels Nos. 75004 and 75006 on the narrow gauge line between Dobrinishte and Septemvri on September 04, 2008