Railway Herald
Only two Class 77 diesel locomotives remain in service on the Bulgarian Rhodope Mountain Railway, both of which have received a major re-build at the Express service facility in Ruse. Only the frames and bogies were retained with cabs and body shells being rebuilt from new materials. In addition, electronic controls were installed together with EU Stage 5 standard Caterpilar diesel engines. On 18th March 2024 the second loco so treated now re-classed as 77/1 is captured at Varvara now numbered as No. 77-109. Previously 77-009, it gets underway with the southbound FAST 1661 (08:55) Septemvri to Dobrinishte morning service.
Stephen Ginn
