Railway Herald
Rose between two thorns? Perhaps not, at least from a drivers point of view. Huge changes are currently taking place in Bulgaria, not just to the railway infrastructure but the increasing number of private freight operators who seem to favour the SIEMENS Smartron for their choice of motive power. Latest to enter the private freight sector is Express services, previously known for their connection with the imported UK Classes of 86, 87 and 92 electric locos. All Smartrons carry the standard SIEMENS base colour of blue decorated with a variety of individual company vinyls. One of the most striking is one of two Class 80s now in service with Express services, 80-055 in it's Stars and Stripes inspired livery, observed here at Iliyantsi on 26th September 2024. On the far side sporting a different adaption of SIEMENS factory blue is Ruse-based BULMARKET 80-030. Last but certainly not least is 87-034 in a relatively fresh coat of green and yellow BZK paintwork, the refurbishment ironically carried at the Express services facility in Obrastzov chiflik near Ruse.
Stephen Ginn
