The Locomotive Club of Great Britain
OVERSEAS TOUR 04/11– BULGARIA
Friday 29th April to Monday 9th May 2011
We are pleased to announce new details of our previously postponed tour to Bulgaria. This is an exclusive tour for the LCGB with our own private trains.
The highlights of the tour will be the use of recently restored 4-8-2 03 class locomotive 03.12 and the “Pacific” 05.01. Both restorations are currently nearing completion, with the 05 expected to be working by Christmas.
“Mikado” 01.23 and 2-10-0 16.01 should also be used along with a “Russian” BDZ class 07 diesel and an ex-British 87 electric. There is also a rare chance to cover ALL the narrow gauge line behind steam.
Bookings are coming in fast - recommend you book now!
Friday 29th April: Fly LHR (T4) -Sofia Bulgaria Air FB
852 Dep. 1500 arr. Sofia 2005. Pick up buses. Travel. Hotel Sofia
Saturday 30th April: Service train No.1621 (0830-1015)
Sofia-Septemvri (Baggage in bus). Visit ng depot. Steam with full ng train
and steam loco 60976 Septemvri-Velingrad. Hotel Velingrad.
Sunday 1st May: Ng steam Velingrad-Bansko-Dobrinishte (some
diesel assistance over mountain). Bansko "museum" locos. Bus back
to Velingrad hotel.
Monday 2nd May: Bus Velingrad- Panagjurishte. With 01.23
Panagjuriste-Plovdiv (77km steam with no wires-using three green coaches).
Interval in Plovdiv to visit depot. With Bus Plovdiv to Stara Zagora,
visiting Kalojanovets Reserve en route. Stara Zagora Hotel.
Tuesday 3rd May: Visit Kalojanovets Reserve and Stara Zagora
depot. Stara Zagora- Veliko Tarnovo with “Russian”-built BDZ
07 diesel (very steep crossing of mountains). Plinth at Cereva Livada. Hotel
Veliko Tarnavo.
Wednesday 4th May: Bus to Asenovo Reserve (famous rare
steam locos-2-12-4T, etc.). A photo session with 03.12 at classic location
below Veliko Tarnovo old town has been requested. Gorna Orjahovitsa depot
visit, then with 16.01 to Ruse. Hotel Ruse
Thursday 5th May: Visit Ruse Railway Museum. Bus
Ruse to Levski (100 km) Depot visit - plinth. Levski-Trojan with 03.12
(83 km - no wires). Bus Trojan to Pleven hotel.
Friday 6th May: Pleven to Sofia using BZK British class
87 electric (194 km) Photo stops en route. Hotel Sofia
(near station).
Saturday 7th May: Sofia to Dupnitsa (via Volujak and Pernik)
and return with Pacific 05.01.
Sunday 8th May: Private Tram tour of Sofia (museum tram)
picking up adjacent to hotel/station. Visit depots/plinths in Sofia
Monday 9th May Free time until transport to airport. Fly
FB851 dep. SOF 1345 arr. LHR 1515.
Tour prices as follows:-
£1,845 ex London Heathrow on B.A. with a shared bed/breakfast/evening
meal basis. All charter trains and bus transfers. Gratuities. Tour
cost basis £1.00 = EUR 1.15 (The Bulgaria currency is currently pegged
to the Euro).
For participants wishing to make their own flight a land only price of £1645 applies. Single room supplement £235.
Travel insurance is required by all participants who must be LCGB members..
If you wish to book please forward a completed booking form together with a deposit of £200 payable to LCGB. Final payment will be required by February 28th. (s.a.e.'s required if you are not on email)
All arrangements are subject to change. Should you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Adrian K Palmer
email akpalmer@talktalk.net
46 Heathside
Tel: 01932
850624
Weybridge
Surrey KT13 9YL England