LCGB Visit to Vladivostok
A log from the train by Chris Lewis
Saturday July 24.Twenty four members,
including six ladies, caught the morning British Midland flight to Moscow.
We were to meet another member in Moscow (travelling via St Petersburg)
and another hopefully in Irkutsk following visa problems.
Leaving the plane we were struck by the heat, over 30 degrees centigrade. We were staying at the Hotel Cosmos for one night, a hotel we found very comfortable even though the food and drinks were expensive. Consequently we found all prices in Moscow were very expensive but people were very smart and wanted to help us English people. Our view from our hotel room had trams, trolley buses and a monorail.
On Sunday we visited touristic things such as Red Square and the Kremlin. Colin Miell our leader returned us to our hotel in time for some of us to go on the Underground and see some of its famous stations. They lived up to their reputation. I saw four each slightly different but all amazing, some even with chandeliers. Four of us left the “underground” party at the Belarus station and chanced on a plinthed P36 in the distance.
Leaving the plane we were struck by the heat, over 30 degrees centigrade. We were staying at the Hotel Cosmos for one night, a hotel we found very comfortable even though the food and drinks were expensive. Consequently we found all prices in Moscow were very expensive but people were very smart and wanted to help us English people. Our view from our hotel room had trams, trolley buses and a monorail.
On Sunday we visited touristic things such as Red Square and the Kremlin. Colin Miell our leader returned us to our hotel in time for some of us to go on the Underground and see some of its famous stations. They lived up to their reputation. I saw four each slightly different but all amazing, some even with chandeliers. Four of us left the “underground” party at the Belarus station and chanced on a plinthed P36 in the distance.
Rossiya at Kirov
That night we arrived at Jaroslavskaia Station in time for a beer. As we left to find Train No 2, the Rossiya, the waitress had found a dictionary to say Good Journey as we left. Our train departed promptly at 23.45. The six couples had all paid for cabins for two, and we were pleasantly surprised even though it took a while for the air conditioning to have an effect. With the top two beds folded away we found adequate space with plenty of storage. There is even a TV but we do not feel a need to try it. A small window opens (if one has the key which we have) but no window opens wide enough to look out which is disappointing.
There are two loos with sinks in the coach but no showers. The coach was built in 2008. A beer in the restaurant car as we departed Moscow found it to be a good price, and conversations with Russians and a party of Swiss confirmed that it was a social place to be. Whilst talking about European beers a Russian likened Dutch beer to river water and I had to agree.
Members in the Restaurant Car
On Tuesday I woke at 09.00. The Rossiya
was passing though endless forest with occasional villages around infrequent
stations. No train has ever been called the Trans-Siberian Express (or its
Russian translation), it is purely of English origin. The train keeps to
Moscow time throughout which will be strange. One of the coach attendants
has just told us to shut our window so I can see a battle in the making.
Lunch was a prolonged affair with the chips coming 30 minutes after the
eggs. But good otherwise.
Plinthed loco at Balezino
Hester Pierce summed up her impressions to date saying she loved the architecture of Moscow but one visit would be enough and the train accommodation is much better than she expected We have now reached Siberia after 36 hours and 2,500 kms from Moscow, a little over a quarter of our journey. The train seems to be going faster now with reports of occasional running around 70 mph instead of the 50 to 60 mph. The train stops about every four hours for some 15 minutes allowing us to walk on the platforms under the watchful eyes of our carriage attendants to make sure we do not miss it! There are a lot of freight trains. Strangely in several places where we have overtaken freight trains we have been put through the loop while they have occupied the straight route.
A plinthed L taken from our train at speed
We have found that each cabin has a power point, most useful.
The beds are long enough to stretch out on thanks to the larger loading
gauge. Most of the track is welded so it is reasonably quiet and I have
slept well, aided by a few beers. There is obviously cant deficiency as
one is pulled up and down as the train goes around curves. The menu in the
restaurant is surprisingly extensive. A brunch yesterday was two fried eggs
and bits of bacon. Potatoes seem to be a separate course as these arrived
last night 30 minutes after the meat. The expectation of fried eggs this
morning was dashed as the power had failed. Cold pancakes were a poor substitute.
Colin did not take the lack of eggs well. But it is all part of the adventure!!
Trans-Siberian Part 3 – Irkutsk and Lake Baikal 31/07/2011
It is now three days since the last report. We left Irkutsk this morning on the Rossiya at eight o'clock. The train takes the direct line to Slyudyanka, on Lake Baikal, the line built in the early 50s. It climbs into wooded hills twisting and turning. It then descends using horseshoes with spectacular views of Lake Baikal below. The fine sunny weather has returned. Scenically this is a beautiful line,reminding us of Austria. Now we are running alongside the south side of the Lake with views of the mountains on the other side. The lake contains enough water to supply the entire world's population for the next 40 years. Up to now the scenery in Siberia has not been at all as I imagined. It is not bleak and desolate, at least not where we have travelled until now. Perhaps further east it will be.
Irkutsk was a very nice place. On our first day we had a guided tour and then had free time. Most rode the trams or trolleybuses I covering the entire No 1 route for two fares of 25p each. For the second day we rode the Circumbaikal Railway. This was the original route of the Trans-Siberian line from the early 1900s until the line travelled earlier today opened in the 50s. Before the Circumbaikal Railway was built trains went across the Lake on a train ferry in summer and on rails put across the ice in the winter – until one went through! Hence the Circumbailkal Railway was constructed at great expense.
For the Circumbaikal Railway our electric unit from Irkutsk was hauled by a diesel locomotive going very slowly. It is a tourist train with frequent stops. Unfortunately it was raining so we were denied the best views of the Lake. Some of the line was built by Italian engineers and all the Russians on the train, and us, were shown bridge designs only found here outside of Italy (we did not ask about Eritrea!!) and both horseshoe and parabolic tunnels. I can't see a normal Englishman being interested in this. Three plinthed steam locomotives were seen and the first live steam, another tourist train double headed by two locos. Unfortunately we had no opportunity to photograph it.
Plinthed locomotive at Ulan-Ude
The preserved Su loco at Ulan Ude is a modern loco posing as an old one
1524 RZD Carries Su205-91 Su251-97 2-6-2 Sormovo 3601 1949 808
We have now completed 5,400 kms of our 9,300 kms rail journey.
Trans-Siberian Part 4 – Vladivostok 04/08/2011
Today is Thursday, I think. We arrived one minute late yesterday into Vladivostok, a little after 06.00. Jennifer and I would have quite happily returned to Moscow the same way. After some quick pictures of the plinthed locomotive we adjourned to our hotel for breakfast and a nap, not necessarily in that order. Later we went on a conducted tour of the major attractions of Vladivostok the main one being ….. the railway station! On our three night journey from Irkutsk we saw many, many freight trains, either passing or overtaking them. The line is so busy despite there being a more northern, newer route. However, we were given good entertainment by the restaurant crew.
My wife was shocked to find me in our compartment with Natasha. It is hard to describe Natasha but she had long blonde hair, low cut blouse and short dress, I thought fancy dress but time showed it wasn't. She was trying to sell me buns!!
Then rumours came from the restaurant car that Russian beer was not sold with meals. When we went to the restaurant car for dinner one of our group had waited 90 minutes to be served and had stormed out. When his food finally came a shouting match started between the formidable lady who was in charge and the two waitresses, Nidia (who did not smile) and Liana. This went on in our presence. Nidia and the lady in charge had shouted at the customers trying to take pictures (totally banned) or any other misdeamours.
Jennifer and I though managed to get good service and to drink beer with our meals. The menu was comprehensive but most items were off. (Though egg and ham was always available and very good. It depended whether Nidia liked you whether one had chips as well!) But on the last evening I tickled her while she served us and she slapped by arm. I grinned at her and she burst out laughing. A real success! Then she let me take her picture, banned until then. This showed that Russian restaurant service has not necessarily improved over the years.
Vladivostok tram
Today some of us went to see the remaining trams in Vladivostok but they were stopped because of torrential rail. Power just gone off in hotel so will send when it returns. We leave tomorrow flying to Moscow.
Group photo taken at Vladivostok
Trans-Siberian Part 5 - Final Report
Friday, was the day that had to happen after everything going so well. Our 30 mile drive to Vladivostok Airport took two hours because of road rebuilding. Checking in for the eight hour flight with Transaero to Moscow in a 747 (as bad as a Voyager) we were given seats in the centre of a row with little space. Arriving at Moscow we sat on the tarmac for 20-30 minutes waiting for a stand. Then one of our party had no luggage delivered, poor man. (It was delivered to the airport the following day.)
When I was writing this we were sitting in a traffic jam attempting to get to our hotel. There were three rows of stationary traffic with 4 x 4s crossing the ditch at the edge of the carriageway so they could beat the queues by running on the grass. It was 03.00 Vladivostok time. The delays getting to the hotel is not what you want after a long day. However many of us then went to a restaurant before going to bed, having been up for 24 hours.
P36 class 4-8-4 0120 plinthed at Belorussky Station, Moscow (P36)
The Saturday was much better. We set off at 09.00 to see several Russian stations including getting closer to the P36 at the Belarus (Belorussky) Station; to see the fully armoured locomotive Ov class at the Soviet Armed Forces Museum and then another highlight of the trip, seeing the railway museum at the Kievskaya Station with many examples of large steam locomotives, and to travel 6-8 miles from here behind a live steam locomotive, Er class, 0-10-0 774-38.
Er class 0-10-0 774-38 waits to leave Riga (Rizhskaya) Station, Moscow (985A)
(I must admit I have changed the colour of the yellow jacket.)
This was a surprise treat by Real Russia, our agents for the trip. The destination was Krasni Baltiets, next to the Podmosknaya Depot, the last in Moscow to have live steam available and regularly used for specials, the other locomotive available being an L class 2-10-0 number 2057, I was told. This information was gained from the son of Michael Harris, a previous LCGB President. He happened to be visiting the depot that day. Several of us spoke to him and gained much useful information. He could speak fluent Russian and had worked in Moscow.
L class 2057 at Podmosknaya Depot, Moscow (a handsome machine)
After visiting the depot we did not have time to return on the steam train but had to set off by coach for the airport with appalling traffic even on a Saturday afternoon. The British Midland flight was as good as Transaero's had been bad but then Heathrow stacked us, had no gantry operator and then admitted it was short staffed to unload our baggage quickly. Typical!
Summary
It is now 09.00 here in London but 19.00 in Vladivostok. This shows the vast distance we have travelled. Apart from the Friday above, the trip has been an outstanding success and full praise to Colin for persevering to make it happen, and happen so well. Many of us wondered how we could achieve so much for the price. I took many crosswords to do on the trip but did none.
Travel on the Rossiya was not at all boring, mixing our time between looking at the mostly attractive scenery, talking, drinking, eating and sleeping. The train was much more comfortable than expected. The station architecture both on route and in Moscow was amazing. We saw Russia as a rapidly developing country with smart, friendly people, but also it has vast tracts of lands unused. Siberia, or the parts we journeyed through, was certainly not the wasteland we expected.
Moscow, with its many attractions, as well as Irkutsk and Lake Baikal, were well worth visiting. We saw and could photograph many classes of steam locomotives, mainly plinthed, but only the one actually in steam, but also saw the real Russian Railways in action, passing hundreds of freight trains moving goods across this vast country.
Finally various thanks must be given: to LCGB for allowing it to happen under its name; to David Pendlebury, its webmaster, for publishing my reports quickly (it is good to see one's words and pictures while the tour is still taking place, a first I believe for LCGB); to Real Russia for a lot of good organisation of trains, hotels and individual tours; to our fellow travellers, many old friends and new ones, many we hope to see again; and finally to Colin.
But if you are thinking of travelling on this trip in the future, I think you will need to find another tour leader! The bureaucracy of Russia is too overpowering for him to repeat but well done Colin by your efforts to overcome it for our excellent trip. We will certainly be travelling with LCGB again if it maintains this type of holiday and these standards.
Brian Garvin has added this information
Moscow Podedy Park. Memorial Poklonnaya Gora (Rail mounted guns also here) 1524 RZD Eu680-96 0-10-0 Kolomna 5879 1928 608
Moscow Armed Forces Museum (Closed MTO) Armoured loco. 1524 RZD Ov-5067 0-8-0 Bryansk 1905 608
Moscow Badeyeva 1524 RZD Or Su215-80? Su205-37 2-6-2 JSP108
Moscow Belorus station, plinth 1524 RZD P36-0120 4-8-4 Kolomna 10287 1955 608
Moscow Bekasovo Sort To SW of Moscow 1524 RZD Active TE-3162 2-10-0 Jung 11173 1943 502
Moscow Bekasovo Sort To SW of Moscow. Plinth by offices 1524 RZD VL8-1156 2x Bo-Bo E Tbl 1965 JSP
Moscow Chovrino depot. Plinth 1524 RZD VL23-456 Bo-Bo E JSP907
Moscow Kazanskaya Sortirovochnaya Depot.
Installed 1970 1524 RZD Ov-7024 0-8-0 Sorm? 1909 208
Moscow Kazanskaya Sortirovochnaya Depot.
1524 RZD Overhaul 2011 LV-0522 2-10-2 Lugansk 1956 208
1524 RZD Plinth L-1754 2-10-0 Kolomna 9658 1951 208
Moscow Kutuzovskaya station Sakko and Tovantsetti ?
1524 RZD SO18-1994 2-10-0 UU 1941 L492
1524 RZD VL22m-1923 Co-Co E Novo 1958 L492
Moscow Lyublino Depot, plinth Installed 29/10/2009
1524 RZD L-3570 2-10-0 Lugansk 1954 1009
Moscow Sickle and Hammer Plant ("óÅÒÐ É íÏÌÏÔ", íÏÓË×Á, ) Both locos stored
750 RZD P24-7 0-8-0 Kolomna 8225 1941 JS
1524 RZD 9P-xxx 0-6-0T Murom? 19xx JS
Moscow Paveletsky Station, park on east side Installed 1948
1524 RZD U-127 4-6-0 Puti 1960 1910 698
Hauled Lenin funeral train Gorky - Moscow)
Moscow Podmoskovnaya Depot - active for Nostalgia Trains
1524 RZD L-2057 2-10-0 Kolomna 1953 2009
1524 RZD L-2344 2-10-0 Kolomna 1954 2009
1524 RZD L-3348 2-10-0 Lugansk 15104 1954 2009
1524 RZD L-4674 2-10-0 Lugansk 1953 1107
1524 RZD L-5231 2-10-0 Lugansk 1955 2009
1524 RZD L-5259 2-10-0 Lugansk 1955 2009
1524 RZD LV-0182 2-10-2 Lugansk 1956 10/01/10
1524 RZD Er774-38 0-10-0 Mavag 1955 1109
Moscow Serp I Molat factory
1524 RZD TGM1-316 0-6-0 DH Murom 1959
Moscow Likhobory shed - plinth
1524 RZD 9P-178 0-6-0T Murom? 19xx 1007
Moscow Volga Dubna station.
1524 RZD Displayed as Transsib 512 9P-742 0-6-0T Murom 742 1950 208
Moscow Riga Station - Museum P. Zimmer & JS
1524 RZD Actually 9P-17347 "9P-742" 0-6-0T Murom 17347 1953 608
1524 RZD Ov-841 0-8-0 Bryansk 1836 1903 608
1524 RZD SO17-2211 2-10-0 Lugansk 1947 608
1524 RZD TE-5415 2-10-0 Schic 3693 1943 608
1524 RZD FD21-3125 2-10-2 Lugansk 1941 608
1524 RZD LV-0441 2-10-2 Lugansk 1956 608
1524 RZD Em740-57 0-10-0 Kharkov 1935 608
1524 RZD ACTIVE Er797-41 0-10-0 Bp 1952 207
1524 RZD TE2-125A Bo-Bo DE Kharkov 1952 608
1524 RZD TE7-080 2x Co-Co DE Kharkov 2980 1963 608
1524 RZD Ex Novomoskovsk TEM2-1592 Co-Co DE Bryansk 1973 608
1524 RZD TEP60-1200 Co-Co DE Kolomna 2217 1984 608
1524 RZD 2TE10M-501 2x Co-Co DE Lugansk 1982 608
1524 RZD Ex Rybnoe VL10-098 2x Bo-Bo E Tbli 1971 608
1524 RZD VL23-131 Co-Co E Novo 195x 608
1524 RZD Ex Zhelesnodorsohnaja Sr3-815/1615 ER Riga 1957 608
1524 RZD Er22-38 ER Riga 1968 608
1524 RZD VL22m-1859 Co-Co E Kolomna? 1957 806
1524 RZD TE3-5151 2x Co-Co DE Lugansk 5151 1964 608
1524 RZD TE1-20-195 Co-Co DE Kharkov 1949 608
1524 RZD Yea- 2450 2-10-0 BLW 70776 1944 608
1524 RZD Active? L-0001 2-10-0 Kolomna 8403 1945 608
1524 RZD Er766-11 0-10-0 Bp 6035 1949 608
1524 RZD VL8-1694 2xBo-Bo-E Tbl 1967 608
1524 RZD L-2342 2-10-0 Kolomna 10128 1954 608
1524 RZD P36-0001 4-8-4 Kolomna 9000 1949 608
1524 RZD 2TE10L-3621 2xCo-Co DE Lugansk 3621 1976 608
1524 RZD TEP10-186 Co-Co DE Kharkov 1965 608
1524 RZD VL22M-2026 Co-Co E Novo 608
1524 RZD ChS3-45 Bo-Bo E Skoda 4189 1961 608
1524 RZD ChS4-025 Co-Co E Skoda 608
1524 RZD ChME2-120 Bo-Bo DE CKD 608
1524 RZD D1-538-1 2-car DHR Mavag 608
1524 RZD ER9P-132 2-car ER Riga 608
1524 RZD Ex Moscow Kiev Pass Su214-10 2-6-2 Kolomna 7693 1938 403
(Also carries Su215-15 and Su 152)
1524 RZD ChS2K-712 Co-Co E Skoda
Trans-Siberian Part 3 – Irkutsk and Lake Baikal 31/07/2011
It is now three days since the last report. We left Irkutsk this morning on the Rossiya at eight o'clock. The train takes the direct line to Slyudyanka, on Lake Baikal, the line built in the early 50s. It climbs into wooded hills twisting and turning. It then descends using horseshoes with spectacular views of Lake Baikal below. The fine sunny weather has returned. Scenically this is a beautiful line,reminding us of Austria. Now we are running alongside the south side of the Lake with views of the mountains on the other side. The lake contains enough water to supply the entire world's population for the next 40 years. Up to now the scenery in Siberia has not been at all as I imagined. It is not bleak and desolate, at least not where we have travelled until now. Perhaps further east it will be.
Irkutsk was a very nice place. On our first day we had a guided tour and then had free time. Most rode the trams or trolleybuses I covering the entire No 1 route for two fares of 25p each. For the second day we rode the Circumbaikal Railway. This was the original route of the Trans-Siberian line from the early 1900s until the line travelled earlier today opened in the 50s. Before the Circumbaikal Railway was built trains went across the Lake on a train ferry in summer and on rails put across the ice in the winter – until one went through! Hence the Circumbailkal Railway was constructed at great expense.
For the Circumbaikal Railway our electric unit from Irkutsk was hauled by a diesel locomotive going very slowly. It is a tourist train with frequent stops. Unfortunately it was raining so we were denied the best views of the Lake. Some of the line was built by Italian engineers and all the Russians on the train, and us, were shown bridge designs only found here outside of Italy (we did not ask about Eritrea!!) and both horseshoe and parabolic tunnels. I can't see a normal Englishman being interested in this. Three plinthed steam locomotives were seen and the first live steam, another tourist train double headed by two locos. Unfortunately we had no opportunity to photograph it.
Plinthed locomotive at Ulan-Ude
The preserved Su loco at Ulan Ude is a modern loco posing as an old one
1524 RZD Carries Su205-91 Su251-97 2-6-2 Sormovo 3601 1949 808
We have now completed 5,400 kms of our 9,300 kms rail journey.
Trans-Siberian Part 4 – Vladivostok 04/08/2011
Today is Thursday, I think. We arrived one minute late yesterday into Vladivostok, a little after 06.00. Jennifer and I would have quite happily returned to Moscow the same way. After some quick pictures of the plinthed locomotive we adjourned to our hotel for breakfast and a nap, not necessarily in that order. Later we went on a conducted tour of the major attractions of Vladivostok the main one being ….. the railway station! On our three night journey from Irkutsk we saw many, many freight trains, either passing or overtaking them. The line is so busy despite there being a more northern, newer route. However, we were given good entertainment by the restaurant crew.
My wife was shocked to find me in our compartment with Natasha. It is hard to describe Natasha but she had long blonde hair, low cut blouse and short dress, I thought fancy dress but time showed it wasn't. She was trying to sell me buns!!
Then rumours came from the restaurant car that Russian beer was not sold with meals. When we went to the restaurant car for dinner one of our group had waited 90 minutes to be served and had stormed out. When his food finally came a shouting match started between the formidable lady who was in charge and the two waitresses, Nidia (who did not smile) and Liana. This went on in our presence. Nidia and the lady in charge had shouted at the customers trying to take pictures (totally banned) or any other misdeamours.
Jennifer and I though managed to get good service and to drink beer with our meals. The menu was comprehensive but most items were off. (Though egg and ham was always available and very good. It depended whether Nidia liked you whether one had chips as well!) But on the last evening I tickled her while she served us and she slapped by arm. I grinned at her and she burst out laughing. A real success! Then she let me take her picture, banned until then. This showed that Russian restaurant service has not necessarily improved over the years.
Vladivostok tram
Today some of us went to see the remaining trams in Vladivostok but they were stopped because of torrential rail. Power just gone off in hotel so will send when it returns. We leave tomorrow flying to Moscow.
Group photo taken at Vladivostok
Trans-Siberian Part 5 - Final Report
Friday, was the day that had to happen after everything going so well. Our 30 mile drive to Vladivostok Airport took two hours because of road rebuilding. Checking in for the eight hour flight with Transaero to Moscow in a 747 (as bad as a Voyager) we were given seats in the centre of a row with little space. Arriving at Moscow we sat on the tarmac for 20-30 minutes waiting for a stand. Then one of our party had no luggage delivered, poor man. (It was delivered to the airport the following day.)
When I was writing this we were sitting in a traffic jam attempting to get to our hotel. There were three rows of stationary traffic with 4 x 4s crossing the ditch at the edge of the carriageway so they could beat the queues by running on the grass. It was 03.00 Vladivostok time. The delays getting to the hotel is not what you want after a long day. However many of us then went to a restaurant before going to bed, having been up for 24 hours.
P36 class 4-8-4 0120 plinthed at Belorussky Station, Moscow (P36)
The Saturday was much better. We set off at 09.00 to see several Russian stations including getting closer to the P36 at the Belarus (Belorussky) Station; to see the fully armoured locomotive Ov class at the Soviet Armed Forces Museum and then another highlight of the trip, seeing the railway museum at the Kievskaya Station with many examples of large steam locomotives, and to travel 6-8 miles from here behind a live steam locomotive, Er class, 0-10-0 774-38.
Er class 0-10-0 774-38 waits to leave Riga (Rizhskaya) Station, Moscow (985A)
(I must admit I have changed the colour of the yellow jacket.)
This was a surprise treat by Real Russia, our agents for the trip. The destination was Krasni Baltiets, next to the Podmosknaya Depot, the last in Moscow to have live steam available and regularly used for specials, the other locomotive available being an L class 2-10-0 number 2057, I was told. This information was gained from the son of Michael Harris, a previous LCGB President. He happened to be visiting the depot that day. Several of us spoke to him and gained much useful information. He could speak fluent Russian and had worked in Moscow.
L class 2057 at Podmosknaya Depot, Moscow (a handsome machine)
After visiting the depot we did not have time to return on the steam train but had to set off by coach for the airport with appalling traffic even on a Saturday afternoon. The British Midland flight was as good as Transaero's had been bad but then Heathrow stacked us, had no gantry operator and then admitted it was short staffed to unload our baggage quickly. Typical!
Summary
It is now 09.00 here in London but 19.00 in Vladivostok. This shows the vast distance we have travelled. Apart from the Friday above, the trip has been an outstanding success and full praise to Colin for persevering to make it happen, and happen so well. Many of us wondered how we could achieve so much for the price. I took many crosswords to do on the trip but did none.
Travel on the Rossiya was not at all boring, mixing our time between looking at the mostly attractive scenery, talking, drinking, eating and sleeping. The train was much more comfortable than expected. The station architecture both on route and in Moscow was amazing. We saw Russia as a rapidly developing country with smart, friendly people, but also it has vast tracts of lands unused. Siberia, or the parts we journeyed through, was certainly not the wasteland we expected.
Moscow, with its many attractions, as well as Irkutsk and Lake Baikal, were well worth visiting. We saw and could photograph many classes of steam locomotives, mainly plinthed, but only the one actually in steam, but also saw the real Russian Railways in action, passing hundreds of freight trains moving goods across this vast country.
Finally various thanks must be given: to LCGB for allowing it to happen under its name; to David Pendlebury, its webmaster, for publishing my reports quickly (it is good to see one's words and pictures while the tour is still taking place, a first I believe for LCGB); to Real Russia for a lot of good organisation of trains, hotels and individual tours; to our fellow travellers, many old friends and new ones, many we hope to see again; and finally to Colin.
But if you are thinking of travelling on this trip in the future, I think you will need to find another tour leader! The bureaucracy of Russia is too overpowering for him to repeat but well done Colin by your efforts to overcome it for our excellent trip. We will certainly be travelling with LCGB again if it maintains this type of holiday and these standards.
Brian Garvin has added this information
Moscow Podedy Park. Memorial Poklonnaya Gora (Rail mounted guns also here) 1524 RZD Eu680-96 0-10-0 Kolomna 5879 1928 608
Moscow Armed Forces Museum (Closed MTO) Armoured loco. 1524 RZD Ov-5067 0-8-0 Bryansk 1905 608
Moscow Badeyeva 1524 RZD Or Su215-80? Su205-37 2-6-2 JSP108
Moscow Belorus station, plinth 1524 RZD P36-0120 4-8-4 Kolomna 10287 1955 608
Moscow Bekasovo Sort To SW of Moscow 1524 RZD Active TE-3162 2-10-0 Jung 11173 1943 502
Moscow Bekasovo Sort To SW of Moscow. Plinth by offices 1524 RZD VL8-1156 2x Bo-Bo E Tbl 1965 JSP
Moscow Chovrino depot. Plinth 1524 RZD VL23-456 Bo-Bo E JSP907
Moscow Kazanskaya Sortirovochnaya Depot.
Installed 1970 1524 RZD Ov-7024 0-8-0 Sorm? 1909 208
Moscow Kazanskaya Sortirovochnaya Depot.
1524 RZD Overhaul 2011 LV-0522 2-10-2 Lugansk 1956 208
1524 RZD Plinth L-1754 2-10-0 Kolomna 9658 1951 208
Moscow Kutuzovskaya station Sakko and Tovantsetti ?
1524 RZD SO18-1994 2-10-0 UU 1941 L492
1524 RZD VL22m-1923 Co-Co E Novo 1958 L492
Moscow Lyublino Depot, plinth Installed 29/10/2009
1524 RZD L-3570 2-10-0 Lugansk 1954 1009
Moscow Sickle and Hammer Plant ("óÅÒÐ É íÏÌÏÔ", íÏÓË×Á, ) Both locos stored
750 RZD P24-7 0-8-0 Kolomna 8225 1941 JS
1524 RZD 9P-xxx 0-6-0T Murom? 19xx JS
Moscow Paveletsky Station, park on east side Installed 1948
1524 RZD U-127 4-6-0 Puti 1960 1910 698
Hauled Lenin funeral train Gorky - Moscow)
Moscow Podmoskovnaya Depot - active for Nostalgia Trains
1524 RZD L-2057 2-10-0 Kolomna 1953 2009
1524 RZD L-2344 2-10-0 Kolomna 1954 2009
1524 RZD L-3348 2-10-0 Lugansk 15104 1954 2009
1524 RZD L-4674 2-10-0 Lugansk 1953 1107
1524 RZD L-5231 2-10-0 Lugansk 1955 2009
1524 RZD L-5259 2-10-0 Lugansk 1955 2009
1524 RZD LV-0182 2-10-2 Lugansk 1956 10/01/10
1524 RZD Er774-38 0-10-0 Mavag 1955 1109
Moscow Serp I Molat factory
1524 RZD TGM1-316 0-6-0 DH Murom 1959
Moscow Likhobory shed - plinth
1524 RZD 9P-178 0-6-0T Murom? 19xx 1007
Moscow Volga Dubna station.
1524 RZD Displayed as Transsib 512 9P-742 0-6-0T Murom 742 1950 208
Moscow Riga Station - Museum P. Zimmer & JS
1524 RZD Actually 9P-17347 "9P-742" 0-6-0T Murom 17347 1953 608
1524 RZD Ov-841 0-8-0 Bryansk 1836 1903 608
1524 RZD SO17-2211 2-10-0 Lugansk 1947 608
1524 RZD TE-5415 2-10-0 Schic 3693 1943 608
1524 RZD FD21-3125 2-10-2 Lugansk 1941 608
1524 RZD LV-0441 2-10-2 Lugansk 1956 608
1524 RZD Em740-57 0-10-0 Kharkov 1935 608
1524 RZD ACTIVE Er797-41 0-10-0 Bp 1952 207
1524 RZD TE2-125A Bo-Bo DE Kharkov 1952 608
1524 RZD TE7-080 2x Co-Co DE Kharkov 2980 1963 608
1524 RZD Ex Novomoskovsk TEM2-1592 Co-Co DE Bryansk 1973 608
1524 RZD TEP60-1200 Co-Co DE Kolomna 2217 1984 608
1524 RZD 2TE10M-501 2x Co-Co DE Lugansk 1982 608
1524 RZD Ex Rybnoe VL10-098 2x Bo-Bo E Tbli 1971 608
1524 RZD VL23-131 Co-Co E Novo 195x 608
1524 RZD Ex Zhelesnodorsohnaja Sr3-815/1615 ER Riga 1957 608
1524 RZD Er22-38 ER Riga 1968 608
1524 RZD VL22m-1859 Co-Co E Kolomna? 1957 806
1524 RZD TE3-5151 2x Co-Co DE Lugansk 5151 1964 608
1524 RZD TE1-20-195 Co-Co DE Kharkov 1949 608
1524 RZD Yea- 2450 2-10-0 BLW 70776 1944 608
1524 RZD Active? L-0001 2-10-0 Kolomna 8403 1945 608
1524 RZD Er766-11 0-10-0 Bp 6035 1949 608
1524 RZD VL8-1694 2xBo-Bo-E Tbl 1967 608
1524 RZD L-2342 2-10-0 Kolomna 10128 1954 608
1524 RZD P36-0001 4-8-4 Kolomna 9000 1949 608
1524 RZD 2TE10L-3621 2xCo-Co DE Lugansk 3621 1976 608
1524 RZD TEP10-186 Co-Co DE Kharkov 1965 608
1524 RZD VL22M-2026 Co-Co E Novo 608
1524 RZD ChS3-45 Bo-Bo E Skoda 4189 1961 608
1524 RZD ChS4-025 Co-Co E Skoda 608
1524 RZD ChME2-120 Bo-Bo DE CKD 608
1524 RZD D1-538-1 2-car DHR Mavag 608
1524 RZD ER9P-132 2-car ER Riga 608
1524 RZD Ex Moscow Kiev Pass Su214-10 2-6-2 Kolomna 7693 1938 403
(Also carries Su215-15 and Su 152)
1524 RZD ChS2K-712 Co-Co E Skoda