Railway Herald
The Kyustendil branch situated to the south west of the Bulgarian Capital City of Sofia is no stranger to BDZ-PP steam specials. Getting under-way with a return leg to the capital on 12th October 2019, is Swiss-built Mikado (Wintherur 3593/1935) Class 2-8-2 No. 01.23, a regular runner on main line specials radiating out from Sofia where the loco is based. The lack of turning facilities at Kyustendil dictates bunker first operation on the return run north. Just how far the charter will run in this configuration is unclear but on reaching Radomir and the main line it is not inconceivable that BDZ could pilot the train onwards with electric traction. Sofia is an awfully long way for the crew to be leaning out of the cab side windows!.
Stephen Ginn
