Locos from across Europe converge on Czech gala

LOCOS from all over central Europe attended a spectacular gala event held on the Czech main line system in early September centred on Benešov u Prahy, south of Prague. Steam and diesel locos from the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Hungary all attended and worked special trains, including some on the normally DMUonly Sedlčany branch line.

A triple headed train on September 11 returned locos (two of them being towed to save fuel) and enthusiasts to Erfurt, Germany with ‘Ludmilla’ diesel No. 132 334 hauling ‘M62’ V200 No. 507 and ex-DR No. 118 719 plus eight coaches!

DONALD TAGGART Right: Ex- ČSD (Czechoslovakian Railways) No. 375 007 departs Sedlčany with the 11.55 special service to Benešov on September 11, 2022. The 2-6-4 was built in Vienna in 1911 for Austrian Imperial state railway Kaiserlich-königliche österreichische Staatsbahnen or kkStB as No. 310.23.

TAGGART DONALD Above: Visiting from Hungary, ex-MAV NoHAB No. M61 019 is seen at Benešov u Prahy with a special train on September 10.