Hi Guys! Since I'm quite a railway fan, - and I know there are plenty of us here on SSC - I would like to see and read more of the Romanian railway system. In the future please feel free to post valuable infos, photos, news, and anything concerning the railway infrastructure transportation of Romania!

In the name of friendship: A Hungarian and a Romanian train meeting somewhere in Romania!

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_8884__080509___2761,017__65,1363.jpg

This is the Hungarian one:

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_9577__080511_Gyimes__2761,017_40,099.jpg

Beautiful isnt she...? :drool: I just love trains...

Nice...hope they are not on the same track...:lol:

As far as I know, there isn't much investment in the railway system at the moment...They've been trying for years to finish a Bucharest-Brasov high-speed track, but I'm not sure what the current status is.

Some picture of an express train..

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/diesel/65/0900-0949/65-0920-2-01.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/diesel/65/0900-0949/65-0920-2-04.jpg

Let me share with You guys, some very rare and interesting photos of the Hungarian nostalgia train carrying pilgrims to Şumuleu Ciuc/Csíksomlyó!

The pics from index...

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_8495__080509_Keleti__2761,017.jpg

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_8542__080509_Berettyoujfalu__2761,017.jpg

The rest is in Romania
http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_8654__080509___2761,017.jpg

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_8884__080509___2761,017__65,1363.jpg

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_8898__080509_Kolozsvar__2761,017.jpg

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_9087__080509___2761,017.jpg

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_9169__080509_Gyergyoszarhegy__2761,017.jpg

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_9257__080510_Csikrakos__2761,017.jpg

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_9539__080511_Gyimes__2761,017_40,099.jpg

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_9547__080511_Gyimes__2761,017_40,099.jpg

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_9577__080511_Gyimes__2761,017_40,099.jpg

http://index.hu/cikkepek/0805/belfold/szekelygyros//.gdata/gpb_IMG_9602__080511_Karako__2761,017_40,099.jpg

Credit to RawLee!

Special thanks for the symbolic gesture to the Romanian government for letting it happen!

As far as I know, there isn't much investment in the railway system at the moment...They've been trying for years to finish a Bucharest-Brasov high-speed track, but I'm not sure what the current status is.

What do You mean by high speed?

What do You mean by high speed?

Around 200 km/h I think....nothing crazy like the TGV.

Nice photos...thx for sharing.

Some picture of an express train..

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/diesel/65/0900-0949/65-0920-2-01.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/diesel/65/0900-0949/65-0920-2-04.jpg

^^Great photos! Thank You! :okay:

What kind of locomotives Romanian Railways use?

RawLee, a fellow forumer I'm sure you know, only found these...

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7862/86091200232800or4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Around 200 km/h I think....nothing crazy like the TGV.

I thought so... :)

Are there any plans of buying new locomotives and coaches? Railbuses?

^^Great photos! Thank You! :okay:

What kind of locomotives Romanian Railways use?

RawLee, a fellow forumer I'm sure you know, only found these...

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9052/16361175806800nl2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thats a slovak train at Újpest-Rákospalota...

Sh*t... Sorry for that... My bad... :ohno:

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/6569/700025yd8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ Now I'm sure this one is pretty old... This is why I asked for your help...

Please show us what You got!

http://www.railpictures.net has a lot of photos,like this:

The track seems new:
Mircea Voda, Romania
August 29, 2007
http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/5/7/3/3573.1209918544.tb.jpg (http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/5/7/3/3573.1209918544.jpg)
Chitila, Romania
April 05, 2008
http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/1/0/5/5105.1207486800.tb.jpg (http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/1/0/5/5105.1207486800.jpg)

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/6569/700025yd8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ Now I'm sure this one is pretty old... This is why I asked for your help...

Please show us what You got!

This looks very old...I've never seen one these in person.

Some Electric Locos

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/electric/40/red-white/0400-0599/P8070001.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/electric/40/white-blue/P9150083.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/electric/43/red-white/PC270164.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/electric/43/white-blue/4x-0121-x-10.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/electric/43/white-blue/4x-0121-x-01.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/electric/43/white-blue/4x-0121-x-05.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/electric/43/white-blue/4x-0121-x-08.jpg

Electric Locos

Class 43 (4 axels)

http://cfr.stfp.net/Pic/43/_B43-0146-1DEOG:1.jpg

http://cfr.stfp.net/Pic/43/_B43-0019-0:1.jpg

Class 46 (4 axels)

http://cfr.stfp.net/Pic/46/_B46-0078-9Da:2.jpg

http://cfr.stfp.net/Pic/46/_B46-0062-3Dc:1.jpg

Let me share with You guys, some very rare and interesting photos of the Hungarian nostalgia train carrying pilgrims to Şumuleu Ciuc/Csíksomlyó!



Credit to RawLee!

Special thanks for the symbolic gesture to the Romanian government for letting it happen!

So what, Hungarians in Romania are not "oppressed" and "trapped" anymore?!? :D

BTW, everybody knows that the locomotive was bearing the Greater Hungary sign but nobody really cared.

It's something normal (and even very good for Romania) that the largest Catholic gathering happens on a yearly basis in a Romania. It's beautiful stuff and both Romanians and Hungarians and other people can celebrate. Romania is nothing special than a normal country.

Romanian locomotives: http://cfr.stfp.net/

BTW, everybody knows that the locomotive was bearing the Greater Hungary sign but nobody really cared.


^^:?

The train - as you can see - is carrying the present day Hungarian bearing on the nose, where the red star used to be...

Check the actual Hungarian bearing on Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Coat_of_Arms_of_Hungary.svg

What does everyone know Le Clerk? No one was insulting Romania... Why are you so paranoid?

Can anyone post some information on what kind of developments are going on in Romania concerning the railway system?

The train - as you can see - is carrying the present day Hungarian bearing on the nose, where the red star used to be...

Check the actual Hungarian bearing on Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Coat_of_Arms_of_Hungary.svg

What does everyone know Le Clerk? No one was insulting Romania... Why are you so paranoid?

^^ I am not being paranoid. You got it wrong. Just wanted to mention that things are normal now and nobody looks at history in a nationalistic manner anymore. I think I also stated that in the same post. And also meant to be a little ironic. But that's it. :):cheers:

Can anyone post some information on what kind of developments are going on in Romania concerning the railway system?

I think we just had our first train crash/derail in history a few days ago.
http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/4753/image20080511298251841tqh3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Yep it happend last night.. the train hit a truck who didnt saw the rail signs .... Nothing serious happend... Just mabe a scare :D... Hey about that hungarian locomotiv in romania... DOn't they change locomotives at border?? every time i go by train on hungarian border they change the romanian locomotiv at the first hungarian station and the hungarian one at first romanian station.... By the way.. nice locomotives u have there... Is there a tgv track building between Budapest and Wien?? The train went realy fast near the Austrian border...and the stations there were looking verry modern as the trains seems like eurostar or tgv....

About the romanian Infrastracture.... The Bucharest - Brasov high speed track is finished between Bucharest and Campina... This year high speed track constructions between Bucharest and Constanta will be finished and open...

Hey about that hungarian locomotiv in romania... DOn't they change locomotives at border?? every time i go by train on hungarian border they change the romanian locomotiv at the first hungarian station and the hungarian one at first romanian station....

They do,just as at every other border...thats what we should eliminate,as it costs money and time...

By the way.. nice locomotives u have there... Is there a tgv track building between Budapest and Wien?? The train went realy fast near the Austrian border...and the stations there were looking verry modern as the trains seems like eurostar or tgv....

No...just ordinary 160/140 km/h track.

About the romanian Infrastracture.... The Bucharest - Brasov high speed track is finished between Bucharest and Campina... This year high speed track constructions between Bucharest and Constanta will be finished and open...

Any pic maybe?

At last a thread about romanian railway and trains on ssc :cheers:
About romanian infrastructure what i can say is that in a couple of years we will be able to travel from Constanta to Brasov via Bucuresti on brand new track (140-160 kmh - maybe smaller in mountainous terrain). This year the tenders for the other segments of the corridor IV will be awarded (Brasov-Sighisoara-Deva-Arad-Nadlac). By the way RawLee do u know if on your side from Nagylak to Budapest the railway has been upgraded to 160+ kmh?

^^ I am not being paranoid. You got it wrong. Just wanted to mention that things are normal now and nobody looks at history in a nationalistic manner anymore. I think I also stated that in the same post. And also meant to be a little ironic. But that's it. :):cheers:

BTW.: It's said that Romania tried to forbid this train-trip but they had to face that there's an EU directive forcing all EU countries to let in all foreign nostalgia trains.

(by tersyxus)

By the way RawLee do u know if on your side from Nagylak to Budapest the railway has been upgraded to 160+ kmh?

My source says it will reconstructed from Szolnok to Szeged by 2013. But the other one,to Lökösháza/Curtici(?) will be inaugurated in 2009.

What does everyone know Le Clerk? No one was insulting Romania... Why are you so paranoid?
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5056/100pxcoatofarmsofhungarex5.pngThis is the present day coat of arms of Hungary, Le Clerk! It was adopted in 1990, but it was used before starting with the Middle Ages. All in all, it's officially the coat of arms of today's Hungary, but being used in the past, our beloved Romanian journalists from one or more newspapers thought they'd better write something interesting and said that the trains has the coat of arms of Greater Hungary painted on it.

I pity those nostalgic people (get in touch with today!:doh:), but it's their right to be nostalgic and if they bring a nice train along... fine with me.:D

I think we just had our first train crash/derail in history a few days ago.
First?! I doubt. I seriously doubt.:) Also, wasn't a guy killed in that derail?:(

CFR http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C4%83ile_Ferate_Rom%C3%A2ne
Trains http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Train/Romania

Romanian Railway Network
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/2362/750pxromaniacfrsvgkv1.png

Yep it happend last night.. the train hit a truck who didnt saw the rail signs .... Nothing serious happend... Just mabe a scare :D...


^^Nope, it was because of the rail shifter...something was broken there and that's why it derailed.

Nice thread! Just keep on posting photos of the system and of the Romanian locomotives. I'm interested.

Anyway, how big is the Romanian railway business? Is it worth investing in it? I've got some spare money. :)

This year the tenders for the other segments of the corridor IV will be awarded (Brasov-Sighisoara-Deva-Arad-Nadlac). By the way RawLee do u know if on your side from Nagylak to Budapest the railway has been upgraded to 160+ kmh?

You mean the Budapest–Szolnok–Békéscsaba–Lőkösháza-Arad line...
Sorry but I have no idea whats the name of border station on the Romanian side. Nor GoogleMaps, or viaMichelin shows a detailed Romanian map... :(

The IVth European rail corridor crosses the border there, not at Nadlac.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9186/120vonalqq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

To answer your question, the line is being upgraded at the moment.

:)
BTW the piece of resistance is CFR business class (in use since December 2006)

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2903/bussinesshq6.png (http://imageshack.us)

Romanian Railway Network
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/2362/750pxromaniacfrsvgkv1.png

Well, Romania lacks some electrified lines. For example in NorthWest-Transylvania which is developing pretty fast nowadays.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5056/100pxcoatofarmsofhungarex5.pngThis is the present day coat of arms of Hungary, Le Clerk! It was adopted in 1990, but it was used before starting with the Middle Ages. All in all, it's officially the coat of arms of today's Hungary, but being used in the past, our beloved Romanian journalists from one or more newspapers thought they'd better write something interesting and said that the trains has the coat of arms of Greater Hungary painted on it.


Fuck me (and the journalists who wrote that! :bash:) I was wrong. Damn those journalists.....it's from them that I reached to that conclusion.

@Q'tya: Sorry for the confusion :D

BTW.: It's said that Romania tried to forbid this train-trip but they had to face that there's an EU directive forcing all EU countries to let in all foreign nostalgia trains.

(by tersyxus)

Is this some kind of Hungarian counterpart of the Romanian journalist who said that the locomotive was bearing the Greater Hungary coat of arms, cause I haven't heard so far here that anybody tried to stop the train?

First?! I doubt. I seriously doubt.:) Also, wasn't a guy killed in that derail?:(

I don't remember to have had a train derail so far which caused deaths.

Is this some kind of Hungarian counterpart of the Romanian journalist who said that the locomotive was bearing the Greater Hungary coat of arms, cause I haven't heard so far here that anybody tried to stop the train?

Not stop, but forbid its entrance making the the whole journey pointless. :)

The first petition of entry was rejected by the Romanian government. There is proof on that. Than the Hungarian side came up with EU regulations.

^^ If the gov tried to do that it was dumb for two reasons:
1) what's the point to forbid the train to enter Romania for a religious celebration, and
2) they didn't know the EU regulations.

PS: Local elections at the begining of first month may have somthing in it, as maybe the Liberal party tries to avoid to be singled out by the extremists as a tooo big supporter of Hungarians and Hungary (you may also know that the Liberals run the gov along with the Hungarian Party).

^^ If the gov tried to do that it was dumb for two reasons:
1) what's the point to forbid the train to enter Romania for a religious celebration, and
2) they didn't know the EU regulations.

PS: Local elections at the begining of first month may have somthing in it, as maybe the Liberal party tries to avoid to be singled out by the extremists as a tooo big supporter of Hungarians and Hungary (you may also know that the Liberals run the gov along with the Hungarian Party).

:dunno: You should ask them...

You mean the Budapest–Szolnok–Békéscsaba–Lőkösháza-Arad line...
Sorry but I have no idea whats the name of border station on the Romanian side. Nor GoogleMaps, or viaMichelin shows a detailed Romanian map... :(

The IVth European rail corridor crosses the border there, not at Nadlac.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9186/120vonalqq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

To answer your question, the line is being upgraded at the moment.

You are right. It's not Nadlac it's Curtici the border crossing.

I think we just had our first train crash/derail in history a few days ago.

Yep it happend last night.. the train hit a truck who didnt saw the rail signs .... Nothing serious happend... Just mabe a scare :D...

First?! I doubt. I seriously doubt.:) Also, wasn't a guy killed in that derail?:(

The one with the truck (http://www.realitatea.net/125382_Tren-deraiat-langa-Arad--in-urma-coliziunii-cu-un-TIR.html) happened near Arad in December 2007.

A girl died in the recent accident at Valea Calugareasca (http://www.ziare.com/Tren_deraiat_la_Valea_Calugareasca__Un_mort_si_doi_raniti-306737.html).

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5056/100pxcoatofarmsofhungarex5.png



Why is the cross tilted?

Well... PRM vandals.:ohno:

Why is the cross tilted?

Som mo'fo shut an iron box's top on it before making sure it fits into it in the 17th century...

2 Mai Ora 7:12 - Bucharest Nord for Mangalia. Duration ~7:30 hours. Horrible, 6h and a bit for Constanta then a lokomotive change because the electrical line is over at Constanta so a diesel was needed ( gives you a sense of "end of civilization" like your preparing to go true a desert :p )

Som mo'fo shut an iron box's top on it before making sure it fits into it in the 17th century...



^^I am not sure I understood what you said.

^^I am not sure I understood what you said.

It was put into an iron box(or chest) with other jewellery, and someone closed the box but didnt pay attention to the fact that the crown didnt fit into it...and shut it...but this thread shouldnt be about the hungarian crown...

Super glue would've come in handy.:lol: Just break it and then glue it.:D

Paul the Gunner, a few years ago I traveled that route and I can tell you it really sucks. I hate CFR and our railway infrastructure.

2 Mai Ora 7:12 - Bucharest Nord for Mangalia. Duration ~7:30 hours. Horrible, 6h and a bit for Constanta then a lokomotive change because the electrical line is over at Constanta so a diesel was needed ( gives you a sense of "end of civilization" like your preparing to go true a desert :p )

Its like going by bus from Szeged to Zalaegerszeg... 8,5 hours... :ohno:

2 Mai Ora 7:12 - Bucharest Nord for Mangalia. Duration ~7:30 hours. Horrible, 6h and a bit for Constanta then a lokomotive change because the electrical line is over at Constanta so a diesel was needed ( gives you a sense of "end of civilization" like your preparing to go true a desert :p )
well yes, because they upgrade the infrastructure, so that s why u make 5 hours from Bucharest to Constanta. hope next year will be finished, traveling in 1h 30min-2 hours.
should be better that CFR includes the sector between Constanta to Mangalia in these investments plans...

It was put into an iron box(or chest) with other jewellery, and someone closed the box but didnt pay attention to the fact that the crown didnt fit into it...and shut it...but this thread shouldnt be about the hungarian crown...

Interesting. Thx

well yes, because they upgrade the infrastructure, so that s why u make 5 hours from Bucharest to Constanta. hope next year will be finished, traveling in 1h 30min-2 hours.
should be better that CFR includes the sector between Constanta to Mangalia in these investments plans...

There's no such thing as 1:30 for Constanta. Not even a promise.
They did say that after they finish it might take 2 hours thinking you could take the Constanta and Baneasa bridges again and a top speed of 160 km/h though it does not seem they will be ready for this too soon as much as i saw we can easily wait another 3-4 summers till we can finally have a normal trip, of course not 2 h but maybe 3.

BTW the Carol I bridges are closed since the 80's, after 100 years since they were build, are there any chances for it to be repaired so trains can use them again? The architecture is mighty, they are historical plus they could use the new bridges for the A2 integrally.

You must be kidding,right? 200km in 5h? even 2 is too much!

Traveled by train on that route several times. I once made almost 7 hours.:puke: So 5 hours' no joke.:bash:

But please... there are 225 km, not 200. Give CFR some credit.:lol:

Traveled by train on that route several times. I once made almost 7 hours.:puke: So 5 hours' no joke.:bash:

But please... there are 225 km, not 200. Give CFR some credit.:lol:

Sorry...(note to self: no more bitching about the 2:45 to Debrecen)

Traveled by train on that route several times. I once made almost 7 hours.:puke: So 5 hours' no joke.:bash:

But please... there are 225 km, not 200. Give CFR some credit.:lol:

Please, 6h not 5 :cheers: :banana:







:mad2::mad2::mad2::mad2:

Sorry...(note to self: no more bitching about the 2:45 to Debrecen)
:lol::cheers:

It's a shame there are no scheduled flights between Bucharest and Constanta.:ohno: I'd rather take the plane to Kogălniceanu and take a train or maxi-taxi from there to whatever resort I'm staying at than train all the way.

Next time I'll drive to the seaside, no doubt about it. Screw CFR and their Middle Ages services.:rant:

If all of the network is like this,then that means the roads are in better condition...why not invest in railroads instead then? Big industries use railroads anyway...

One of my usual routes: Bucharest - PiatraNeamt

Map
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6598/romaniamapuc9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Train
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/914/pnby2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Distance:~365km
Depart: 15.30
Arrive: 20.35
Cost ~ 20Euro

:lol::cheers:

It's a shame there are no scheduled flights between Bucharest and Constanta.:ohno: I'd rather take the plane to Kogălniceanu and take a train or maxi-taxi from there to whatever resort I'm staying at than train all the way.

Next time I'll drive to the seaside, no doubt about it. Screw CFR and their Middle Ages services.:rant:

As much as i know Kogalniceanu is far from the city and the trainstation so it does not sound like such a good option.

There's no such thing as 1:30 for Constanta. Not even a promise.
They did say that after they finish it might take 2 hours thinking you could take the Constanta and Baneasa bridges again and a top speed of 160 km/h though it does not seem they will be ready for this too soon as much as i saw we can easily wait another 3-4 summers till we can finally have a normal trip, of course not 2 h but maybe 3.

BTW the Carol I bridges are closed since the 80's, after 100 years since they were build, are there any chances for it to be repaired so trains can use them again? The architecture is mighty, they are historical plus they could use the new bridges for the A2 integrally.

ok, let s settle.
before, the distance between Constanta to Bucharest took about 2:45 h. at a maximum speed of 100-120 km/h on some segments.
now, with the new upgraded rail at a top speed of 160 we can make 1h 40 min, as making a simple calculation.
so of cource i will take the train instead of car or by plaine!
of cource, this performance can be made by a intercity or express train.

As much as i know Kogalniceanu is far from the city and the trainstation so it does not sound like such a good option.

^^ Few busses would solve it ... scheduled flights and airport upgrade is the main issue IMO

ok, let s settle.
before, the distance between Constanta to Bucharest took about 2:45 h. at a maximum speed of 100-120 km/h on some segments.
now, with the new upgraded rail at a top speed of 160 we can make 1h 40 min, as making a simple calculation.
so of cource i will take the train instead of car or by plaine!
of cource, this performance can be made by a intercity or express train.

^^

Sorry...(note to self: no more bitching about the 2:45 to Debrecen)

ok, let s settle.
before, the distance between Constanta to Bucharest took about 2:45 h. at a maximum speed of 100-120 km/h on some segments.
now, with the new upgraded rail at a top speed of 160 we can make 1h 40 min, as making a simple calculation.
so of cource i will take the train instead of car or by plaine!
of cource, this performance can be made by a intercity or express train.


does this include the moments in which the train stops for 15-20m minutes in the middle of nowhere? :bash::bash:

^^I do not travel very much on B-Ct route by train, but I happen to travel sometimes on B-Gl route. It's 250 km and about 3.5 hours at the most.

does this include the moments in which the train stops for 15-20m minutes in the middle of nowhere? :bash::bash:
i traveled by train since i was a kid and last 7-8 years frequently. i never complayn. i have no relation with CFR or some persons working there.
mostly, the delays are hapening because of accidents or during the hollidays.
1st of May is an example, when everybody tries to reach to the sea. and mostly people are rude and uncivilised. should we speak about people who are still smoking in trains or destroying toilets or making drawings like m... dinamo:lol:?!:bash::bash::bash:

This autumn i had a small Euro-Trip as i like to call it, by train. using the Interrail Pass , which gave me unlimited travel with train (except high-speed trains - for which i had to pay only a small tax).

Bucharest - Budapest - Munchen in a romanian sleeping cart (it was recently refurbished, great confort). Then i took Munchen - Karlsruher. Went to the Netherlands a bit, in the far far north of the country, in Delfzjil. Then to Paris, Le Mans and back home through Karlsruher and then Munchen-Budapest-Bucharest.

I was impressed by the hungarian ticket officers, who spoke to us in a very good romanian.
Anyway, in Romania we have Personal, Accelerat, Rapid and finally Inter-City. The IC is the top class train in RO, while in most of the countries i visited, the IC is the lowest class train.

The best train system is by far in Germany IMO. A LOT of connections, between almost all cities, very fast and clean trains. The people are also nice, very silent, they don't bother... The train officer announces everything in 3 languages (german, english and french). All ticket officers are very polite (damn, i want this in RO also) :bash:

The TGV is damn expensive though. I could get the Vendome - Paris TGV (about 1 hour ride) for 3 euros due to my Interrail Pass, but the Paris - Karlsruhe (3 hour ride) TGV was 90 euros (with the interrail pass bringing the price down to 90!!!)
In the Netherlands, i noticed something very nice. All the major cities had the "Stoptrein", which is a small train (or a bigger tramway - some sort of outdoor metro) between the big city and all the small cities in the area. They are fast and nice to ride. They come at 30 - 1 hour intervals (depending on the route). Very nice. Could be implemented in RO also when the Bucharest Metropolitan Area will be created and implemented.

And hmm, when we came back to Romania, we had only very few choices.
A LOT of trains go from WIEN or MUNCHEN to Budapest, but only 1-2 a day go to Bucharest (which all form in Budapest)... we're isolated:S

We should do something about our railway network ASAP. :S

^^Great overview! I must have been an unforgetable trip! Lucky you!

BTW:

A copule of photos of Magyar Maganvasut using two typical Romanian locos

http://cfr.stfp.net/Pic/40/_B^4006281591_55_0400628-8DcO-HM:1.jpg

http://cfr.stfp.net/Pic/60/_B^6001551592_55_0600155-9DeO-HM:1.jpg

Where were these locomotives built and by which Romanian company?

They are made by a company called Electroputere Craiova.

They are made by a company called Electroputere Craiova.

This company is still in the hands of the Romanian People? :)

This company is still in the hands of the Romanian People? :)

No...I think I was privatized some time back...but as far as I know...it's a mess.

No, it's been bought recently by a UAE company: Al Arab.
Check here: http://www.electroputere.ro/en/C/sharehold.php

No, it's been bought recently by a UAE company: Al Arab.
Check here: http://www.electroputere.ro/en/C/sharehold.php

Judging by the name of the company, I don't think they are planning to build locos any more.

Au contraire, they're planning to boost production of locomotives and make export to the Middle East. Otherwise, the Gov will just terminate the privatisation agreement on big damages. Al-Arab is currently restructuring the company and has brought a Swedish manager to do that. They also invested some money so far.

Let's see what happens...

^^

The future of Electroputere is uncertain in regards of rolling stock manufacturing. This company stopped the production of locomotives for many years and I think even the "ASEAN Sweden" licence for the LE5100 KW electric locomotive model is expiring in the comming years.

Au contraire, they're planning to boost production of locomotives and make export to the Middle East. Otherwise, the Gov will just terminate the privatisation agreement on big damages. Al-Arab is currently restructuring the company and has brought a Swedish manager to do that. They also invested some money so far.

Let's see what happens...

We will see...but I'm not holding my breath. If it were up to me, I would have given it over to a serious company like Siemens for free (most the infrastructure is dilapidated anyway) and told them...make a heck of a factory out of it...or else I'll take it back and you will lose everything you have invested.

I have found some short videos of romanian trains on the modernized track sections ( Bucharest - Campina and Bucharest - Constanta ).

http://www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=2182
http://www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=530
http://www.rail-videos.net/video/view.php?id=1081

Guys I don't understand why are you complaining so much on the duration Buc-CT. There are A LOT of works going on. We have to suffer a little bit in order to travel fast later.
As it concerns the IC being the lowest class, I don't think so Fallen. In western countries the regional trains are the lowest class (as it should be in Ro). Don't forget DB's highest ranking train is InterCityExpress (equiv to TGV).
Perhaps a good reform for CFR would be the changing of classes as follows: Reg (regional trans replacing Personal partially under local councils), IReg (Personal trains traveling through more than one "regionala"), IRE (InterRegioExpress replacing Accelerat-the most afordable for masses), R and IC (the present Rapid trains and InterCity-IC stopping only in major cities).

The one with the truck (http://www.realitatea.net/125382_Tren-deraiat-langa-Arad--in-urma-coliziunii-cu-un-TIR.html) happened near Arad in December 2007.

A girl died in the recent accident at Valea Calugareasca (http://www.ziare.com/Tren_deraiat_la_Valea_Calugareasca__Un_mort_si_doi_raniti-306737.html).


Sry i just took the news from here:
http://www.realitatea.net/125382_Tren-deraiat-langa-Arad--in-urma-coliziunii-cu-un-TIR-.html

They say there that the accident with the truck happend on 14 may 2008.... I didnt know about the Valaea Calugareasca accident..... It's a pitty a 17 year old girl lost her life..

I'l make some pictures with the construction of Bucharest-Constanta high speed line.. as the railway pass near my home....

i traveled by train since i was a kid and last 7-8 years frequently. i never complayn. i have no relation with CFR or some persons working there.
mostly, the delays are hapening because of accidents or during the hollidays.
1st of May is an example, when everybody tries to reach to the sea. and mostly people are rude and uncivilised. should we speak about people who are still smoking in trains or destroying toilets or making drawings like m... dinamo:lol:?!:bash::bash::bash:

Really the delay is because of the construcion works.... there are sections were it's under construction and the train can go only on one line.. So you wait in the middle o nowere for 20 min beacuse u have 2 wait for other trains 2 pass the single linde part... Bucharest-Constanta line is havley used becouse of summer Black Sea resorts and beacuse of the Constanta Shipyard
so lots of trains pass there.... Another reason for 6h trip are becouse trains go sometimes on other routes like Buchares-Pantelimon(you actualy go around bucharest for a long time) and after that go to Constanta beacuse Bucharest-Baneasa is closed....

About the Highest train class... Isnt the new express line the highest train class?? By the way... Ic trains are verry good in Romania...

Oh and about the sleeping wagons... You have verry good conditions in the romanian sleaping weagons.... # moths ago i went from BUcharest to Wien in a romanian sleeping wagon... The conditions were verry good... When i comed back i took a'n austrian sleeping wagon.. The conditions were miserable... Didn't even had hot water and heat( it was the middle of winter, i had 2 sleep in my ski pants)... It had broken bads... miserable windows( personaly i think they didnt clean them up for abut 10 years ago)... So horible trains are in west 2... I rember everibody in that wagon piking op on the wagon chief... And he was always sayin that he doesent know english or romanian just to skip the complainings....(sry for my bad english)

For the hungarian friends... I must say i was impressed by the Hungarian border guards... They were always speeking verry polite... And even in romanian(not necesarly at the romanian border)... I remember in 2002 at the border with Croatia he spoke in romanian 2 me.... And they had verry nice clothes 2 :)

Last year I traveled from Bucharest to Budapest by train (not my choice;) ). I can't remember how long it took to get there, but I know I'll never do it again.:lol: The conditions were ok I guess, but the journey time, the Romanian border guards and THE BLOODY HEAT made the journey a nightmare.:puke:

I agree that the Hungarian border guards are more polite, well dressed and nicer than the Romanian ones.:bash:

While strolling along the train I passed trough several ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) cars and I was not impressed. They were slightly better than CFR's cars, but nothing to write home about.

Note to self: if you ever buy an Interrail Pass, go as far as at least Budapest by car and take the train from there.:ohno:

^^I travelled about 2 years ago from Bucharest to Vienna, via Budapest, and didn't have problems with neither the Romanian customs officers, nor the Hungarian or Austrians. In fact, I liked the Austrians most, as they were the only ones carring laptops to check IDs and had a nice and well mannered German sheppard who was sniffing around very politely for drugs I suppose.

The journey took abot 14 hours, and it didn't seem very long to me, but i guess it could take less time.

I travelled about 2 years ago from Bucharest to Vienna, via Budapest, and didn't have problems with neither the Romanian customs officers, nor the Hungarian or Austrians.
I didn't have problems with them, but the way they talked to us (like we were all old high school buddies) left a lot to be desired for.

The journey took abot 14 hours, and it didn't seem very long to me, but i guess it could take less time.
For me it took about 12 hrs I guess, from Gara de Nord to Keleti pályaudvar. Too much. 7-8 hrs at most would be ok for this route. And the ticket was quite expensive as I recall. I personally would've taken the plane, but it wasn't my call.

One of my usual routes: Bucharest - PiatraNeamt

Train
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/914/pnby2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Distance:~365km
Depart: 15.30
Arrive: 20.35
Cost ~ 20Euro

So CFR uses the Siemens Desiros on IC routes? That is strange... Desiros are used on suburban routes usually what I've already seen in Hungary, Germany, Austria and Slovenia. Do they have a different interior for the long-term journeys? I couldn't imagine travelling for 5 hours on a MÁV Desiro. :cheers:

^^
Yes unfortunately, CFR is using the Desiro units on some IC trains who are running on non electrified track with destinations like: Galati, Bicaz or Piatra Neamt, etc., and as regional trains on routes with high traffic. The interior is the same and I am reffering at the hard, uncomfortable and narrow seats. This DMU is like a tram on rail tracks, unnapropiate for long distances or being used with the intercity ranking.

CFR is beginning to change the Desiro's from IC to regional routes, but the process is a bit slow :(

^^ I see... Here MÁV chose to change the loco when the train arrives at the end of the electrified section. The train therefore has to stop for 10-15 minutes, at least you can sit in a normal carriage. It goes for the IC trains too, like Budapest-Szombathely or Budapest-Tapolca (northern shore of Balaton)

Yep. Our ellectrified trains stop in Constanta also and change the locomotive to go south to the Black Sea resorts and Mangalia....I think the Constanta - Mangalia section should be a top-priority for ellectrification (of the rail of course :D) since it links the summer resorts(which we try to promote so much) with the world...

^^
Yes unfortunately, CFR is using the Desiro units on some IC trains who are running on non electrified track with destinations like: Galati, Bicaz or Piatra Neamt, etc., and as regional trains on routes with high traffic. The interior is the same and I am reffering at the hard, uncomfortable and narrow seats. This DMU is like a tram on rail tracks, unnapropiate for long distances or being used with the intercity ranking.

Interior is fine (for me anyway:)) :cheers: Well of course it can be improved ...
http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/3991/sdni7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7083/sd1hv0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I took one of these from Bucharest to Pascani this autumn... a 5 hour ride. It was a bit too much for my bones... they're comfortable, but not for long rides :)

The interior of the train i took looked different.... it had 2 small compartiments in the center (on the left side) with normal seats in both ends of the wagon, and some chairs positioned face to face vis-a-vis from the 2 small compartiments...
i'll try to find pics a bit later.

(I'm supposed to be studying right now :)) )

Craiova-Sibiu Desiro
oyLeF-FFAgk

That track needs an upgrade.

HotNews.ro
Marţi, 20 mai 2008, 17:01 Ultima ora

CFR: Timpul de calatorie spre Constanta se reduce cu 30 de minute



Incepand de miercuri timpul de calatorie spre litoral se va reduce cu aproximativ 30-35 de minute datorita terminarii lucrarilor la infrastructura pe tronsonul Baneasa, relateaza NewsIn.

"Timpul de calatorie s-a redus deoarece CFR Infrastructura a terminat lucrarile pe tronsonul Baneasa", a declarat directorul general CFR Calatori, Alexandru Noaptes.
Primul tren R 687 va circula de miercuri pe ruta directa spre Constanta, cu plecare din statia Bucuresti Nord la ora 7.51 (in loc de 7.12).

De asemenea, CFR a anuntat ca, incepand cu 16 iunie, se vor introduce trenuri suplimentare de sezon pe relatia Constanta- Mangalia ale caror orare vor fi afisate in statiile si agentiile de voiaj.

That track needs an upgrade.

Absolutely! Before I saw Your post, I wanted to write the same thing...

I have concerns about the speed of the Desiro on that track too... :ohno:

That's why they've got speed-limitS ... and that's why the system is pretty slow ...

A while ago, I was reading an article about the possible reunification of Moldova and Romania. The article was invoking the costs of the unification.

And one of the main problems was the railway infrastructure.
All of Moldova's rails would need to be changed, cause they use a narrow gauge there, and the estimated cost for that only was around 4 billion euros :-S

I wonder what the costs would be to upgrade all of the existing main rails in Romania to 120-160hm/hour :-S

A while ago, I was reading an article about the possible reunification of Moldova and Romania. The article was invoking the costs of the unification.

And one of the main problems was the railway infrastructure.
All of Moldova's rails would need to be changed, cause they use a narrow gauge there, and the estimated cost for that only was around 4 billion euros :-S

I wonder what the costs would be to upgrade all of the existing main rails in Romania to 120-160hm/hour :-S

Exactly it is a damn good question...but it sure is a lot of work to upgrade the mail lines to 160 kmh. But it would be a very very big step ahead

Brasov-Constanta, cu tren privat

Incepand din aceasta saptamana, brasovenii se pot duce pe Litoral cu trenul privat - relateaza agentia Newsin. Biletul costa la fel ca pe CFR, dar conditiile sunt mai bune – acceleratul privat nu e privat si de confort, dimpotriva: este dotat cu instalatie de climatizare si minibar. De asemenea, trenul nu stationeaza in prea multe gari.

Acceleratele companiei de stat pleaca in fiecare dimineata din Brasov si stationeaza 40 de minute in Bucuresti, dupa care isi continua traseul spre Constanta. Trenul privat ocoleste Capitala, ajungand mai repede la Constanta.

Conform site-ului trasportatorului feroviar, o calatorie de la Brasov la Constanta costa 71 de lei la clasa I si 45 de lei la clasa a II-a.
Trenurile apartin unei societati private care si-a extins activitatea dupa ce a avut succes pe rute scurte, cu transportul navetistilor, inca din 2005.
România Liberă (http://www.romanialibera.ro/a125564/brasov-constanta-cu-tren-privat.html)
I've heard good things about Regiotrans. I hope they'll continue to grow.:applause:

^^ hehe nice one :banana: Gud ivning Regiotrans! Zis iz Moldova coling ... pliz get some treins to this area coz wi're diesperate with CFR - not as much with their service but mainly with the frequency ... of its services :bash:

http://www.standard.ro/articol_48565/a_t__kearney__romania_is_last_in_the_european_union_in_terms_of_railway_investments.html

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According to this study, even if the European Union (EU) encourages all member states to sustain a balanced development of all transport types, Romania allocates funds disproportionally, favoring the development of roads.

Only 8 percent of funds allocated to road and railway infrastructure were directed to the Romanian railway infrastructure in 2005. The General Secretary of the Romanian Railway Industry Association, Stefan Roseanu, said the railway has been considered a method of transport for the poor, which is why it has not received any attention from the authorities.

Regarding railway goods transport, Romania’s investments in infrastructure are also far behind those in many European countries.

Do you guys know anything about a "near future" investment in Valcele - RmValcea unfinished(abandoned) railroad?..That would be a heck of an investment .. with a great impact on our national railroad system..

Bucharest, July 2 /Rompres/

- The construction of the Budapest - Constanta high sped rail will take about 12 years and according to estimations, the project's execution will be completed in 2020, reads a report remitted to Rompres by the Romanian Rail Company - CFR SA.

The cost of the project stands around eight billion euro. According to CFR, if continuous financing is ensured, works will keep to the execution schedule; they are due to kick off in about four years and end in five to eight years.

In November 2007, on the occasion of a joint government meeting, Romania and Hungary signed an agreement for the construction of this railway. The two Transportation Ministries chose the Budapest - Bucharest - Constanta route in order to integrate the two states in the international high-speed rail system that links all large European cities.

The plan of the Romanian and Hungarian authorities follows the emergence of a European project for the construction of a high-speed line linking Strasbourg (France) to Hungary's Budapest. The line is supposed to cross Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna. As a result of recent lobby by Budapest authorities, the Vienna - Budapest segment was also included in the project, which will benefit from European funding as well.

'Expressed in 2006 prices, one kilometer of high-speed rail costs ten million euro in the plain and 40 million euro in mountain areas. Costs get higher if tunnels also need to be built. Such a rail connection highly benefits economy and citizens as well, because it provides a rapid alternative to road transportation,' Alstom Transport Romania director Gabriel Stanciu told Rompres.

Taking in consideration that the distance between Bucharest and Budapest is 800 km, the necessary investment would amount to eight billion euro. Trains will run on the track at speeds between 220 and 250 kph.

The milestones of the CFR schedule are as follows: the pre-feasibility study should be worked out by the end of the year and the feasibility study should follow in 2009; procedures for the selection of a contractor should be organized most likely in 2010 or 2011 at the latest.

More than 5,500 km of high-speed railway are being operated in Europe, another 3,400 kilometers of rail are under construction and 8,500 km of are now being designed. ROMPRES

Data: 2008-07-02 16:03:04

Do you guys know anything about a "near future" investment in Valcele - RmValcea unfinished(abandoned) railroad?..That would be a heck of an investment .. with a great impact on our national railroad system..

The works started in 1979 and should have been concluded in early '90s. Unfortunalety, in the last 18 years the limited financial resources only allowed for the conservation - not 100% effective - of the already carried out works. In 2004 the Government announced the re-launching of the project, the new time for completion being set for 2008. Yet, lack of funds remained a critical issue and no real progresses have been achieved. In 2006 the Feasibility Study has been again updated, the finalization of works being now foreseen for 2011.

Theoretically, Ramnicu Valcea - Valcele remains a priority project but as long as financing is not secured (approx 260 millions Euro - in accordance with the revised FS) it is difficult to estimate a realisitic deadline for its finalization.

Check also http://www.railwayfan.ro/?ml=27&r=1 for some interesting details and an impressive set of pictures.

Thx..I also found this article in a Valcean newspaper..

http://www.arenavalceana.ro/node/9877

Hope this time they will really get going.

I don't know how many of you know that the section of railway between Campina and Predeal is being modernized and upgraded for speed up to 160 km/h. Here (http://files.filefront.com/R347+Campinaavi/;10931078;/fileinfo.html) is a movie who shows some of the works at the track just before the entrance in Campina station , and the new platforms in the station, etc.

**The movie does not belong to me, I just found the link on railwayfan.ro.

Looks good.Improvements very much needed..

Prima pagina/poza ... dedicatie lui Orban www.railwayfan.ro
+
http://www.railwayfan.ro/?ml=27&r=4
+
http://www.railwayfan.ro/?ml=27&r=3 :banana:

Prima pagina/poza ... dedicatie lui Orban www.railwayfan.ro
+
http://www.railwayfan.ro/?ml=27&r=4
+
http://www.railwayfan.ro/?ml=27&r=3 :banana:

Nice effort! ..Is this going to OTP as well?

^^ Do not think so ... this is Buc-Constanta route
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=44.4855072&lon=26.0751593&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2

By the time we close the motorway gap we will have a whole new gap to contend with...

http://www.nineoclock.ro/index.php?page=detalii&categorie=business&id=20080620-512848
Even in the context of the European Union encouraging all members to sustain a balanced growth among all transportation modes, Romania displays a disproportionate allocation of investment budget for rail and road infrastructure.

In 2005, only 8 per cent of the amount allocated to road and rail infrastructure investments were directed to rail. This ratio was the lowest from all the countries analyzed by A.T. Kearney and 4 times smaller than the average.

Relative to the freight market, Romania’s investments in rail infrastructure are lagging behind most European countries (13 times smaller than average investments per freight volume – EUR/t-km). This situation lead to a competitive disadvantage for railway transporters, with a very high mismatch between rail and road freight evolution.

“Although the Romanian government has formally complied with the EU requirements for transport policy, its key principles are still being ignored. The unfair allocation of infrastructure funds, together with a suboptimal taxation system, severely affected the freight competitive environment, being a significant burden in the path of a sustainable and balanced development between all transport modes. This situation lead to a competitive disadvantage for railway transporters, with a very high mismatch between rail and road freight evolution,” said Andrei Cretu (photo), A.T. Kearney Management Consulting S.R.L. representative.

Investments in Infrastructure

The European Union is continuously sustaining a balanced growth among all transportation modes, encouraging all members to intensify measures that will stimulate modal shift towards more efficient, sustainable and ecological friendly transport modes. In this context, the Romanian government continuously directs investments towards the most pollutant mode of transport, with the largest share of the funds being allocated to road infrastructure. If compared to other countries of the European Union, the structure of road vs. rail investments reveals a clear lack of effort for a sustainable and balanced development between all transport modes. In Romania, the rail infrastructure is clearly not the preferred target of authorities’ investment budget. In 2005, only 8 per cent of the amount allocated to road and rail infrastructure investments were directed to rail. This ratio is far behind the average of 32 per cent within the country group analyzed by A.T. Kearney. Within Europe, there are countries like UK, Italy, Sweden and Austria that are fully committed to rail development and to the modal shift encouraged by the European Union. Therefore, those countries are investing more in rail infrastructure, rather than road.

Relative to the freight market, Romania’s investments are lagging behind most European countries. If in the case of road freight, the investments in infrastructure per 1000 t-km are 1.5 times smaller than the average of the analyzed country group. In the case of rail, however, the situation is much worse and the gap of Romania is of 13x to the average and of 30x to the best-in-class (Switzerland). This is a clear example of not sustaining the transport market with reasonable infrastructure investments.

Development of the romanian freight

The unfair allocation of funds to infrastructure in favour of road lead to a competitive disadvantage for railway transporters. Also, taxation issues are also key influencers in the development of the freight market. Certain inconsistencies in the taxation system and utilization of collected funds affect the costs of the operators (especially rail), distorting the competitive environment and generating a certain degree of discrimination in the Romanian transportation industry.

A trend analysis of the Romanian freight reveals the fact there is an imbalance in the development trend between freight modes. In the country comparison performed by A.T. Kearney, Romania reveals the highest mismatch between rail and road freight evolution. Between 2004 and 2006, the rail freight displayed a negative average yearly growth rate (-3.7 per cent), while the average growth rate of road freight was by far the greatest in the performed benchmark (23.9 per cent).

Due to this trend, there has been a major shift within the Romanian freight structure. Even though in absolute terms, rail freight market decreased yearly by only 1 per cent between 2000 and 2006, in relative terms, it has strongly lost its strong position within the market structure (from 47 per cent in 2000 to 19 per cent in 2006).

Eupolicies and Romania’s achievements to date

Although Romania has formally agreed with the EU requirements for transport policy (the Community acquis), the key principles of the European Transport Policy are still being ignored. Among others, EU promotes fair pricing for the use of infrastructure and subsidizing less pollutant modes of transport and Romania still fails in addressing those topics. Within the first railway package, EU addressed liberalization of the railway market as its main objective. Even though Romanian rail market has achieved some important steps in this area (e.g. separation of accounts between infrastructure manager and the railway undertakings), efforts with respect to fair allocation of investment funds and charging for access related issues are still to be taken into consideration. The clear European preference of railway transportation compared to other alternatives is a common element in the discussion of public decision makers due the obvious advantages in respect of environmental impact, efficiency and infrastructural requirements. Despite poor condition of Romanian railways, there is a gross imbalance of allocated funds in favor of one of the least efficient and least sustainable transport modes, road transportation.

A.T. Keraney is a global strategic management consulting firm known for helping clients in gaining lasting results through a unique combination of strategic insight and collaborative working style. The firm was established in 1926 to provide management advice concerning issues on the CEO’s agenda. Today, they serve the largest global clients in all major industries. A.T. Kearney’s offices are located in major business centers in 34 countries.

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/5694/14img0254tl8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/3650/16img0255zd2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/913/17img0251wc8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6429/32img0229eg4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6503/34img0226sm5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4900/36img0223ti8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4888/img0222bq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Good news and nice pics.
But the lane in the 4th picture looks anything but straight :)) :bash:

^^ Has not been connected yet

Do you guys know anything about a "near future" investment in Valcele - RmValcea unfinished(abandoned) railroad?..That would be a heck of an investment .. with a great impact on our national railroad system..

Agree with you. It would shorten up the way from Bucharest to Sibiu, Alba-Iulia, Arad etc. The problem is the route is not electrified like the Buc-Ploiesti-Brasov-Sighisoara-Alba-Deva-Arad or the one true Teleorman-Craiova-Valea Jiului-Deva-Arad so i guess it still won't be a solution yet but it would shorten up short distance one's like Pitesti-Rm. Valcea or Pitesti-Sibiu.

Good news and nice pics.
But the lane in the 4th picture looks anything but straight :)) :bash:

It's an optical illusion (and I am not joking:)). The heat from the lines and soil reflects the light awquardly. ;)

^^ no ...it is not connected ...that's all ... look at the one on the right

It's hard to tell, but I think nebunul is right. If it were to be an optical illusion (remember how the road seems wavy on hot days?) the line on the right should look about the same. Either way (illusion of line not connected) it's not a defect.;)

^^ There is no optical illusion, the track must be placed first on the entire segment ( between switches or stations ) and after that several rail equipments will arrange the spindle and enforce the track, and so eventually is becoming straight.

:) Actually it might be an optical illusion indeed... and the lane on the right looks about the same... tell me if it doesn't look the same, cause i should know if i need glasses :))
It's not the same.:D

:) Actually it might be an optical illusion indeed... and the lane on the right looks about the same... tell me if it doesn't look the same, cause i should know if i need glasses :))

^^ There is no optical illusion, the track must be placed first on the entire segment ( between switches or stations ) and after that several rail equipments will arrange the spindle and enforce the track, and so eventually is becoming straight.

^^
You're right!


*Toate deformatiile acelea se vor elimina pana la final. Sunt necesare cel putin 3 treceri ale aparatelor de cale peste cadrul sine-traverse ca sa indrepte sinele. Cadrul sine-traverse este doar amplasat pe teren si atat, nu a trecut nici primul tren de lucru peste el...

Hi people!

I didn't find your thread for transport sooooo I just will post heree...anyway...



From the next summer there will be a direct train line from Bucharest-Varna for the Romanian tourists.

Редовна ЖП линия - Букурещ - Варна


Влак ще свързва Букурещ и Варна от следващото лято, съобщи още Ананиев. Идеята е той да се движи ежедневно и да вози румънски туристи.
Машинистите ни, които искат да пътуват извън страната, трябва да залягат над английския. Тапиите ще станат универсални за целия Европейски съюз според програма за уеднаквяване на жп системата в страните от Общността. Въвеждането на такава система ще помогне за повишаване скоростта на движение на влаковете, смятат експертите. Семафорите в целия Евросъюз също трябва да започнат да светят еднакво. В момента има 20 различни жп сигнализации, което е проблем за международните превози. Влаковете пък ще се контролират от сателит след въвеждането на системата "Галилео". Европейски инспектори ще проверяват дали страната ни събира правилно жп таксите за превози. Мониторингът се провежда във всички страни членки, които имат жп транспорт, каза Ананиев. Няма опасност от спиране на европарите за проекти в железопътната инфраструктура, категоричен е той.

Hey there!:) I moved your post here, since this is the right thread for it.

Hm... I plead ignorant. I didn't know there wasn't a direct rail link between Bucharest and Varna.

Thanks :).Yeah that will be great cuz I want to go to Bucharest some day and that will be easier and hope cheaper

A low cost flight between Bucharest and Sofia would be better for me.:D Bulgaria Air has some shitty fares; almost as expensive as an OTP-CDG flight.:?

Don't forget...that is Bulgaria Air :lol: pfft

I think maybe that will sound crazy but some summer flights 3 times per week from Buchares to Varna from some low cost company - Wizz Air would be better and prefer by the bulgarians and romanians

Sure, because Varna is on the Black Sea.:dunno:

I don't know how much sense does it make cost and time-wise. You can drive between Bucharest and Varna in about 4 hours. The time savings from flying are not that much.

I was originally talking about a Bucharest - Sofia flight.;)
A low cost flight between Bucharest and Sofia would be better for me.:D

CFR is even worse than MÁV... :ohno: Today I was traveling with the Traian Eurocity(?) and they were HEATING!!!!!!!! PEOPLE WENT CRAZY!!!!

Hey, you should be thankful. Heating is a luxury many passengers don't have during winter and you get to enjoy it in the summer. You lucky bastard.:lol:

Did you really expect CFR to be better than MAV?!:crazy:

This Monday - Mangalia ( 15:57 ) - Bucharest : 23:10... :rock:

Thursday - Bucharest ( 1:50 ) - Constanta ( 7:30 ) - Accelerat (with Ticket) ---> the train carries 3-4 times its capacity, old train, police in the train...hell on earth. The hallways were full, nobody did nothing, at least no restrictions on smoking.
And one thing for sure, it's not the first time it happened, are these guys idiots or what? It was the only freakin' train at that hour that left Gara de Nord ( the next one was something like 5:30 ) are they so impotent they can't do a check at the entrance FUCKING PLATFORM? Seriously now, i fully understand the ticket inspector and the guys from the police want some money but what the fuck, don't they have the smallest common sense? It wasn't my idea to go with that train, but someone insisted we should be at our destination in the morning so he can find a good place to stay, i asked the women from the ticket office, she said "No problem, don't worry, i guarantee you it's ok". Another problem, the train was "accelerat" Bucuresti-Fetesti but after Fetesti it stopped in all the stations, i understand that i payed the additional ticket for accelerat for ALL THE 225 KM.
Just when i was starting to think that MAYBE CFR are making some good steps, things just get worse.

they are upgrading the railroad from cernavoda to constanta, what did you expect? In a year or so you'll be travelling at 200 km\h all the way to constanta.

Hey, you should be thankful. Heating is a luxury many passengers don't have during winter and you get to enjoy it in the summer. You lucky bastard.:lol:

Did you really expect CFR to be better than MAV?!:crazy:

But I was traveling on 1st class... On an international train... :cry: I'm still in a shock... :cry:

But I was traveling on 1st class... On an international train... :cry: I'm still in a shock... :cry:

Who knows, maybe there is a reason for that annoying incident. Probably some defection at the locomotive, or at the carriage heating sistem. Did you asked if the problem was available for the rest of the train ?

they are upgrading the railroad from cernavoda to constanta, what did you expect? In a year or so you'll be travelling at 200 km\h all the way to constanta.

I'm sorry if I seem to be sarcastic but you should read this thread (http://forum.railwayfan.ro/viewtopic.php?t=1333&start=670) on Railwayfan about Bucharest-Constanta modernized railway section ( M 800 ), and you"ll be surprised to find out that there is a large difference from what CFR claims and what it does.

Anyway... Some bad quality photos from the CFR train with rebuilt tracks and platforms on the Budapest-Szolnok-Békéscsaba line...

I don't really like the interior...
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/605/p11400951zf1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/6168/p11400971hq5.jpg

On the newly rebuilt section trains can reach the speed of 160 km/h... This way the earlier traveling time was decreased from 4 hours to 2 h 30 min... If the Eurocity from Romania is not late... If it goes on schedule than the Traian Eurocity stops at Békéscsaba at 17:12 and arrives to Budapest Keleti at 19:57...

[URL=http://imageshack.us]http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/7334/p11400981jw1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8676/p11400991ku9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/1882/p11401001ba8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CFR 1st class wagon at Keleti around 21:00...

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9385/p11401011tk7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Who knows, maybe there is a reason for that annoying incident. Probably some defection at the locomotive, or at the carriage heating sistem. Did you asked if the problem was available for the rest of the train ?

Yes, in two other coaches too... 3 from the 4... The last one was 2nd class and it was stuffed...

they are upgrading the railroad from cernavoda to constanta, what did you expect? In a year or so you'll be travelling at 200 km\h all the way to constanta.

And what does this have to do with CFR's incompetence when it comes to overloading a train like that? :bash:

@Qtya: I'm actually interested in that train. This September I'm going to Arad so i was planning a 2-3 day trip to Budapest during my stay there.
You got any ideas about the time table? ( when i can catch the train in Arad, how much time does it take to reach Budapest and at what speeds is it traveling in Hungary? ).

Oh, boy! You want to go to Budapest by train?:lol: Been there, done that. Wouldn't do it again.

And what does this have to do with CFR's incompetence when it comes to overloading a train like that? :bash:

@Qtya: I'm actually interested in that train. This September I'm going to Arad so i was planning a 2-3 day trip to Budapest during my stay there.
You got any ideas about the time table? ( when i can catch the train in Arad, how much time does it take to reach Budapest and at what speeds is it traveling in Hungary? ).

This train was the Traianus IC, it leaves Timisoara Nord at 16:48 (if not late, commin' from Bucuresti) and arrives to Budapest-Keleti pu. at 19:52.

There are 9 trains comming from Arad each they...

@Qtya: I'm actually interested in that train. This September I'm going to Arad so i was planning a 2-3 day trip to Budapest during my stay there.
You got any ideas about the time table? ( when i can catch the train in Arad, how much time does it take to reach Budapest and at what speeds is it traveling in Hungary? ).

I'm not Qtya but I've checked the timetable, and it says around 4 hours for the trip.

For example:

04:16 Arad - 07:27 Budapest-Keleti, ISTER EN (Bucuresti Nord - Budapest-Keleti pu.)

06:18 Arad - 09:17 Budapest-Keleti, KÖRÖS IC (Timisoara Nord - Budapest-Keleti pu.)

09:18 Arad - 12:17 Budapest-Keleti, Arad-Budapest intl. fast train

11:03 Arad - 14:17 Budapest-Keleti, MURES/MAROS intl. fast train (Targu Mures - Budapest-Keleti pu.)

16:18 Arad - 19:17 Budapest-Keleti, PANNONIA intl. fast train (Bucuresti Nord - Praha hl. n.)

Or Qtya's train:

16:48 Arad - 19:52 Budapest-Keleti, TRAIANUS IC (Timisoara Nord - Budapest-Keleti pu.)

I suggest to take an IC, especially if they manage to turn the heating off :)

:cheers:

Oh, boy! You want to go to Budapest by train?:lol: Been there, done that. Wouldn't do it again.

Arad-Budapest is quite a short trip compared to Bucharest-Arad. Why so bad? Give me some examples :).

@BND: Thanks, i guess the 11:03 train is quite ok since i will probably want to look around for a hotel ( i can ask my uncle from Timisoara who usually goes shopping in Budapest, Florence or Venice ). After all 3-4 hours isn't such a big trip, i have done Bucharest-Constanta/Mangalia for like 8 times this year :nuts:.

Arad-Budapest is quite a short trip compared to Bucharest-Arad. Why so bad? Give me some examples :).
It was more of a joke, since indeed for you the trip would be much shorter. And to give you some examples... I did this trip last summer and until it got dark the train was like a huge sauna on wheels and it took eons to get to Keleti. The train is fucking slow. It was also quite crowded I must say and somehow they managed to overbook on the return leg.:bash:

Btw, I hope you're planning on making a hotel reservation before you depart Bucharest, and not wonder around looking for a hotel upon your arrival in Budapest.:crazy:

Btw, I stayed at Hunor Hotel (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g274887-d497564-Reviews-Hunor_Hotel-Budapest.html), in the North of Budapest. It's nothing fancy, that's for sure, and it's not centrally located, but having the HEV close by I must say that the whole experience was great, so if just by chance you consider this hotel, don't mind the negative reviews you find on the net.;)

Of course, if you want and afford a better and more centrally located hotel, go for it. Just my :2cents:

P.S.: I was part of a large group going to some fucked up Amway convention, so I didn't get to choose the hotel of the mode of transport to and from Budapest. For people bragging about how well they're doing financially, these guys were some cheap bastards, I tell you.:lol:

@Cosmin: Thanks for your info:).
The only problem is i don't want luxury in the hotel, neither all-inclusive neither anything rather then a clean bed and a bathroom. The only thing i am always looking for is its position in the city and this is...a bit far away :D.
If I'm going there, I'll probably do it on my own, for 2-3-4 days and i will probably want to spend some nights over there in the city so i don't want to find myself 15 km away from the hotel in the middle of the night with no transportation at that hour. How`s the night life?

del

How to travel by train from London to Romania . . .
http://www.seat61.com/Romania.htm
http://www.wasteelstravel.ro

Thanks..but I prefer ..Orient Express :lol::lol:

Well, I guess that it's an interesting trip from London to Vienna, but in Vienna you should really get your shit together and board a plane.:lol: Avoid having to deal with CFR and even MAV if you just want a pleasant trip.

Which post are u referring to?Mine or Nebunul's ..If mine..I thought Orient Express goes all the way to 'stambul.. Buc.included :cheers:

Nebunu's post.;)

How much do domestic trains cost in Romania?

Well, something like:
InterCity 500 km, second class, is about 26 Euro
Rapid train, 500 km, couchette, is about 28 Euros

Couchette is a very good-value option as it saves you one night's hotel reservation and most couchettes are quite modern.

A mid speed train (150-250km/h) from Constanta to Bucuresti will be great! :cheers:

P.S.
I guess high speed train is 250-350 km/h :D

de Radu Rizea HotNews.ro
Joi, 21 august 2008, 14:57 English | Business


Deutsche Bahn negotiates Romtrans takeover for 80-100 million euros

German company Deutsche Bahn, one of the main European railroad transport operators, is in negotiations for the takeover of Romanian company Romtrans. The transaction is estimated between 80 and 100 million euro, Financial Times Deutschland informed on Thursday, without quoting any sources.

The two companies are expected to reach a final agreement next week.

The takeover would bring a strategic edge to Deutsche Bahn, as the local growth potential is decreasing and the company is increasingly interested in the fast expanding Eastern markets.

Romtrans is a company privatized in 1994, entirely held by its 1,300 employees. It has 70 operation points near the main custom points and holds shares in 10 Romanian companies and seven foreign companies.

Well, something like:
InterCity 500 km, second class, is about 26 Euro
Rapid train, 500 km, couchette, is about 28 Euros

Couchette is a very good-value option as it saves you one night's hotel reservation and most couchettes are quite modern.
thanks, mate

Tot cautand alceva am dat peste site-ul de mai jos

http://www.dgmarket.com/eproc/adminShowBuyer.do?buyerId=1471606

Interesanta a cincea rubrica..

Request For Proposals
"Întocmirea documentatiilor de cadastru necesare efectuarii exproprierilor, inclusiv dezmembrarea suprafetelor de expropriat si obtinerea numerelor cadastrale pe tronsonul de cale ferata Valcele - Ramnicu Valcea aferente obiectivului Linie noua de cale ferata Valcele - Ramnicu Valcea" (Utilitati)
Sept 3, 2008 Oct 9, 2008

Private rail transport operators from Britain interested in Romanian market


Eight private operators of freight rail transport are interested to enter the Romanian relevant market, after a delegation of these companies and of the members of the British Parliament visited several cities of Romania, in order to verify the potential in the area, show data from the Association of the Rail Industry in Romania.

Among the companies interested in the Romanian market, there are English, Welsh and Scottish Railway, Freightliner, GB Railfreight, Direct Rail Services, Fastline, Victa-Westlink Rail, Amec-Spie Rail and Advenza Freight.
The companies are members of Rail Freight Group (RFG), the association of rail transporters in Britain. The British delegation visited Aug 31 - Sept 5, some cities in Romania, for a global view of the rail market deregulated not long ago, of the stage of the Romanian rail industry.

Arad, western Romania, was the first city visited, the company met manager from Astra Carriages, one of the biggest makers of rolling stock in Romania, member of IRS group. Brasov, center, followed, where the British visited a container terminal, and Constanta, south-east, the biggest Romanian Black Sea port.

Managers from the main players in the Romanian relevant market, such as CFR Marfa, the national operator of freight transport, Grup Feroviar Roman and Servtrans Invest, whose share of the market is on the rise, met members of the delegation of Rail Freight Group.

Talks were held also with Transport Minister Ludovic Orban, officials from the Romanian Rail Authority, from the national infrastructure managing company CFR SA.
The Romanian rail market currently numbers 30 operators of passenger and freight rail transport.
... http://www.financiarul.ro/2008/09/09/private-rail-transport-operators-from-britain-interested-in-romanian-market/

Mediafax (http://www.mediafax.ro/economic/romania-si-ungaria-cer-fonduri-ue-pentru-linia-ferata-budapesta-constanta.html?1686;3159725)
09/09/2008




România şi Ungaria cer fonduri UE pentru linia ferată Budapesta-Constanţa

România şi Ungaria cer fonduri UE pentru linia ferată Budapesta-Constanţa
România şi Ungaria intenţionează să solicite, cu sprijinul Austriei, finanţare comunitară pentru studiul de prefezabilitate aferent construcţiei liniei feroviare de mare viteză pe ruta Budapesta-Bucureşti-Constanţa, costul proiectului, cu termen de finalizare în 2015, fiind de câteva miliarde euro.

Subiectul va fi discutat la a treia şedinţa comună a Guvernelor României şi Ungariei, programată pentru 21 octombrie 2008.

"Pentru acest proiect există intenţia de depunere a unei aplicaţii de finanţare pentru realizarea unui studiu de prefezabilitate din fonduri europene. Chiar în luna septembrie va avea loc la Bucureşti o întâlnire la nivel de experţi, unde va participa şi partea austriacă, pentru că deşi este un proiect iniţiat în şedinţa comună româno-ungară, există finanţări din fonduri europene unde am putea aplica pentru un asemenea proiect, fiind însă nevoie de un parteneriat format din trei ţări membre UE", a declarat, marţi, agenţiei MEDIAFAX, Attila Cseke, secretar de stat la Secretariatul General al Guvernului.

El a arătat că planul concret de acţiune pentru acest proiect ar putea fi convenit la şedinţa celor două guverne, din luna octombrie.

Guvernul României şi cel al Ungariei au convenit, în şedinţa comună din noiembrie 2007, să construiască în comun o linie feroviară de mare viteză pe ruta Budapesta -Bucureşti-Constanţa, în continuarea traseului Paris-Strasburg-Stuttgart-Viena-Bratislava-Budapesta.

Ministrul Transporturilor, Ludovic Orban, a declarat atunci că lucrările au ca termen de finalizare anul 2015 şi că problema principală este finanţarea lucrării, ale cărei costuri sunt estimate la câteva miliarde de euro.


:banana::banana::cheers:

termen de finalizare în 2015 ????????????????????? hard to believe
:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana: anyway :lol:

Guvernul României şi cel al Ungariei au convenit, în şedinţa comună din noiembrie 2007, să construiască în comun o linie feroviară de mare viteză pe ruta Budapesta -Bucureşti-Constanţa, în continuarea traseului Paris-Strasburg-Stuttgart-Viena-Bratislava-Budapesta.

Maybe they will run at 350 km/h like Paris-Strasburg... :rock::rock:

..preferably built Arad - Deva - Sibiu - RmValcea - Valcele - Pitesti - Bucuresti.. as the funding for Valcele segment is not available yet.

HSL has nothing to do with the current infrastructure. It needs looooot af money, and not being included (for the moment) in the TENs I don't see money comin'...

^^
Will be part of TEN corridor - Paris-Vienna-Budapest-Bucharest-Constanta ... so the finance will follow :cheers:

BTW 2010 opening up the passenger transport market
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2004:0139:FIN:EN:PDF

RPM 2002 in action ("yellow shiny monster coming from the future", like radi would say :lol:)

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/5238/rpm2002branesti21040600vi4.jpg

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/290/rpm2002branesti21040601xd4.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6531/rpm2002branesti21040601dd3.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8237/rpm2002branesti21040601cy8.jpg

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2994/rpm2002branesti21040601qf9.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/708/rpm2002branesti21040601fh2.jpg

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4228/rpm2002branesti21040601fw7.jpg

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4607/rpm2002branesti21040601hh2.jpg

^^ What's the max speed on this (U/C) route ? 160-200 km/h max?!

^^ What's the max speed on this (U/C) route ? 160-200 km/h max?!

160 kmph

What was the previous max speed allowed by the rail on this route?

What was the previous max speed allowed by the rail on this route?
140 kmph for passanger trains and 80 kmph for freight.

this will be the line for the future H.S.Train? not a very big improvement, just an uprgade of the old track :doh:

Or they will build a HSL separate from this, with a max speed or 250km or so?

I saw a similar train on discovery in a programme about railway reconstructions in GB...are they the same?

See Rehabilitation of the line Bucharest - Campina in Romania http://www.plasseramerican.com/en/p_formation/rpm2002.htm
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1679/prpal5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

From 140 to 160 km/s. I'm impressed.:yes: NOT!:bash:

i do not think the trains were running before with 140 kmph, cause the tracks were so dereglated and waved, dunno, maybe only on some portions between Bucharest and Fetesti. from what i ve heard, the maximum speed was 125 kmph.
anyway, this speed upgrade it s too insignificat, i wonder what money difference could ve been if the tracks would support a 200 kmph speed.:sly:

Let me tell you something about the reason why our trains can't travel higher than 160 km/h even on modernised sections. For example Bucharest-Constanta line known as the 800 trunk as it is currently modernised can support a maximum speed of 200 km/h on some sections of straight line but the hitches which aren't allowing this consist of:

-the lack of modern rolling stock and I mean capable locomotives of running at 200 km/h in safe conditions. Our electric locomotives ( LE 5100 KW and Le3400 KW classes ) although they poses a powerfull engine and could reach 160 km/h, aren't safe at running continuos at top speed.

- it may sound strange but we also don't have drivers licenced for high speed trains since the maximum speed reached in commercial service was 140 km/h.

-one of the major obstacles in having passenger high speed trains on the CFR network is the use of the railway trunk by both freight and passenger trains. You can't have higher speeds than 160 km/h on railways shared by freight trains.

-last and I'm not sure if it is the case of Bucharest-Constanta line, the unimplementation of special signals for high speed rail. For example the current ones used on Bucharest-Campina are the usual romanian BLA signals which are not suitable for higher speeds.

thanks for the explanation, Bytson!
so, is there a posibility to run faster with better locomotives? i heard CFR intends to buy new ones in the future.

like this one for example:
Siemens Taurus 4-reaching 260 kmph in Austria.

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/1996/16200rumaeniencreditposip4.jpg

So if other problems aren't coming out, then yes, we can travel from Bucharest to Constanta in 1 hour and 30 minutes with the intercity.

:banana::cheers:

thanks for the explanation, Bytson!
so, is there a posibility to run faster with better locomotives? i heard CFR intends to buy new ones in the future.

like this one for example:
Siemens Taurus 4-reaching 260 kmph in Austria.

Yes it's possible to run faster with better locomotives on the modernised rail sections, we have "top notch" carriages manufactured under the Alstom licence in Arad who are RIC 200 Km/h certified. So if other problems aren't coming out, then yes, we can travel from Bucharest to Constanta in 1 hour and 30 minutes with the intercity.

Regarding the purchase of new locomotives there are several rumours, you mentioned one, another one was the case of Bombardier and some rumours that Softronic Craiova ( a company specialised in modernising electric locomotives ) could develop a prototype of a high speed locomotive under licence.

and some rumours that Softronic Craiova ( a company specialised in modernising electric locomotives ) could develop a prototype of a high speed locomotive under licence.

Personally, I prefer this version^^

Rumors rumors about this loc's...nice to see another railway fan around Bytson:cheers:

Rumors rumors about this loc's...nice to see another railway fan around Bytson:cheers:

Thanks. :cheers: Something that I've found on youtube, a short movie on the 501 track. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haV2Rc0zQnw

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/14110657.jpg

Ce frumos, 2 delfini la lucru^^

:cheers:for the pic

Eurogara Sighisoara

http://www.mt.ro/VECHI/httpdocs/evenimente/imagini_galerie_foto_unitati/eurogara%20sighisoara/Eurogara%20Sighisoara.JPG

http://www.mt.ro/VECHI/httpdocs/evenimente/imagini_galerie_foto_unitati/eurogara%20sighisoara/sighisoara%20gara%20-%20interior.JPG

http://www.mt.ro/VECHI/httpdocs/evenimente/imagini_galerie_foto_unitati/eurogara%20sighisoara/Sighisoara%20Gara-%20copertina%20peron1,.JPG
http://www.mt.ro

Guys I don't understand why are you complaining so much on the duration Buc-CT. There are A LOT of works going on. We have to suffer a little bit in order to travel fast later.
As it concerns the IC being the lowest class, I don't think so Fallen. In western countries the regional trains are the lowest class (as it should be in Ro). Don't forget DB's highest ranking train is InterCityExpress (equiv to TGV).
Perhaps a good reform for CFR would be the changing of classes as follows: Reg (regional trans replacing Personal partially under local councils), IReg (Personal trains traveling through more than one "regionala"), IRE (InterRegioExpress replacing Accelerat-the most afordable for masses), R and IC (the present Rapid trains and InterCity-IC stopping only in major cities).

WHY complaining? Because is 3 year now since they started the works. And are not major works....they will just increase the speed from 130-140kmph to not even 200. And the planning, and the fininacing and te construction is going bad. At some point it was taking 6 hours from Buc-Cta.
CFR will have a big problem gaining back the travelers lost in this past 3-4 years.

WHY complaining? Because is 3 year now since they started the works. And are not major works....they will just increase the speed from 130-140kmph to not even 200. And the planning, and the fininacing and te construction is going bad. At some point it was taking 6 hours from Buc-Cta.
CFR will have a big problem gaining back the travelers lost in this past 3-4 years.

It depends on what you understand from major works. If you compare it with HSL there aren't many differences. They are changing everything from 2 m deep, they are making drains, new signaling and refurbishing bridges and culverts...
I'm agree with you that's going to be difficult for CFR to gain back the passengers but profit for rail companies doesn't come from passenger trains, it comes from freight.

Took few pics on Bucharest-Suceava Intercity train :cheers: ... decent conditions :cheers:

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/8360/dscn0659zh6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4008/vasile001ok1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/4026/vasile003ho3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8327/dscn0663ed6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/999/vasile005mi6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/4110/vasile004wm1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CCTV "close up"
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/1016/vasile006me9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Looks kinda empty.

Just avoided taking pictures to other passengers ...

Thanks for the photos, nebunul. So how long did this trip take on an IC? What about the price?

Just avoided taking pictures to other passengers ...

OK...Are these cars made by Astra Arad? Btw, that green is a bit ugly.

Looks nice !Is that flat screen working?..if yes..shows what?
What are the stops in between Buc and Suceava?

Thanks for the photos, nebunul. So how long did this trip take on an IC? What about the price?

Bucharest North 17.00 - Bacau 21.12
302km, II class, 64.50RON (~16Euro)
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/4811/dscn0701ol1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Decent conditions, decent toilets, restaurant etc etc ... but IMHO quite expensive for ROMANIA :nuts:

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/157/dscn0661ol0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^^ The display was OK but the difference in frequency (display v camera) makes it look faulty :)

And from Bacau to Piatra-Neamt :cheers:
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/5584/61348036aa3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


OK...Are these cars made by Astra Arad? Btw, that green is a bit ugly.
:dunno: but that green was OK


Looks nice !Is that flat screen working?..if yes..shows what?
What are the stops in between Buc and Suceava?
Bucuresti-Ploiesti-Buzau-Focsani-Adjud-Bacau (got off)
TV wasn't ON

scuze .... te rog sa muti (again:nuts:) postu' cosmin

^^Man, don't drink and post!:lol:

16 EUR is a tad expensive I must say. And for this you get there in over 4 hours? At least the train was clean and, from what I can see, pretty empty, which would be a bonus for me.:lol:

16 euro is ok for IC..to Bacau...if you compare with Tarom (Buc-Iasi over 50 euros)..the train is a pretty good option.The time is not bad either.

BTW Bucharest-Iasi Intercity (~15euro) left one hour earlier ... and was a "double-decker" type
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3892/ra1ww1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1630/ra2dh7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:cheers: see loads of pictures http://www.cfr.ro/calatori/ click on galerie foto

uau, pe sit am gasit poze cu un tren Alstom, cel cu business class. Aveti idee cate bucati are CFR-ul si/sau ce planuri de modernizare sau de achizitii mai sunt?

^^ used as IC - took one Bacau (from Iasi)-Bucharest. I do not know how many they've got
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/7479/iciiw2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
BTW http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C4%83ile_Ferate_Rom%C3%A2ne

BTW Bucharest-Iasi Intercity (~15euro) left one hour earlier ... and was a "double-decker" type
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3892/ra1ww1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1630/ra2dh7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:cheers: see loads of pictures http://www.cfr.ro/calatori/ click on galerie foto

From what i've seen cfr tries to use this kind of double deckers on acc trains (together with the desiro's)
I really like the new blue IC cars.
Nebunul this must have been an exception with double decker cars on IC train

^^ I think it was kinda mixed ...
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/6461/reeef0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CFR Marfa privatisation – next year’s most prominent take-over

Constanta-Bucharest-Budapest high-speed railway contract to be signed in 2009

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=724364

Sursa: financiarul.ro (http://www.financiarul.ro/2008/10/08/bombardier-este-interesata-de-proiectul-liniei-de-mare-viteza-constanta-budapesta/)

Compania canadiană Bombardier Transportation a anunţat că este interesată să livreze trenuri pentru linia de mare viteză Constanţa - Budapesta, a declarat miercuri (8 octombrie 2008) Jean Berge, vicepreşedinte al companiei pentru Europa de Sud-Est şi România.

"Suntem interesaţi de acest proiect, în special pentru a furniza trenurile care să circule pe această linie", a spus Berge, cu ocazia Zilelor Feroviare 2008.
Acesta a precizat că Bombardier va participa şi la licitaţia pentru furnizarea a 100 de tramvaie pentru Primăria Bucureştiului, licitaţie ce va fi organizată în 2009, precum şi la licitaţiile pentru furnizarea de tramvaie în oraşele Timişoara şi Arad.

Bombardier deţine 40% din piaţa de material rulant din Europa. Compania are patru contracte cu Metrorex, pentru livrarea a circa 40 de trenuri şi pentru realizarea sistemelor de semnalizare aferente. Valoarea totală a celor patru contracte încheiate cu Metrorex se ridică la aproape 300 milioane de euro.
Bombardier este lider mondial în fabricarea trenurilor de metrou, ramelor electrice, pe segmentul de locomotive şi tramvaie.

.
Regarding the purchase of new locomotives there are several rumours, you mentioned one, another one was the case of Bombardier and some rumours that Softronic Craiova ( a company specialised in modernising electric locomotives ) could develop a prototype of a high speed locomotive under licence.

Guys, check this out, the rumours are a real fact . This locomotive was shown at the "national railway exhibition" this week in Bucharest.

http://www.postimage.org/aVRSVY0.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVRSVY0)

http://www.postimage.org/aVRT7qJ.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aVRT7qJ)

http://www.postimage.org/PqSMbcr.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqSMbcr)

http://www.postimage.org/PqSMdHA.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqSMdHA)

So the model in these pictures is supposed to compete with Bombardier for the auction?

Bytson, do you have more details about this exhibition? I would really like to pay a visit:cheers:

^^

It's about an event called "Zilelel feroviare" which is tacking place every year in october. More details here http://summit.clubferoviar.ro/program.html#ziua3 .

So the model in these pictures is supposed to compete with Bombardier for the auction?

Yes, and I think this was the purpose for showing the locomotive at the exhibition. Judging by the fact these locomotives ( Softronic ) can be produced in Romania, I guess they could win in a competion with Bombardier.

The only reason that Softronic would win, seeing Bombardier is the world’s largest company in the rail equipment manufacturing and servicing industry, would be the much smaller price of a locomotive.

Does that seem to you like a high-speed loco?:shifty:

Does that seem to you like a high-speed loco?:shifty:

It looks much like the old diesel we used to make..

It's not diesel, but yeah, it's probably just a Class 41 (or 47, since Softronic makes it) old loco that's been modernized. Top speed for Class 41 is 160 km/h, top speed for Class 47 is 120 km/h, so how fast can this upgraded one can go? 160-180 km/h? It's ok, but that's not high-speed.:ohno:

I'm always against buying things just because they're Romanian when you can get higher performance and quality from other products, even though at a higher price.

Unless this is some 220-250 km/h loco I hope Alstom or Bombardier win.

Why isn't Siemens participating? I like the Taurus very much.


http://i1.treklens.com/photos/7641/10.jpg

I like Taurus too and it should be just fine for our speed needs, perhaps even more than what we need now.:D
http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/7595/16100taurusrumaenienpa0.jpg

It's not diesel, but yeah, it's probably just a Class 41 (or 47, since Softronic makes it) old loco that's been modernized. Top speed for Class 41 is 160 km/h, top speed for Class 47 is 120 km/h, so how fast can this upgraded one can go? 160-180 km/h? It's ok, but that's not high-speed.:ohno:

I'm always against buying things just because they're Romanian when you can get higher performance and quality from other products, even though at a higher price.

Unless this is some 220-250 km/h loco I hope Alstom or Bombardier win.

No it isn't a high speed locomotive, I am not sure it can reach 160 km/h since it is a 40 class. It is just a new locomotive made somehow by the plans of the old EA locomotive ( I know this sounds strange ).

Also, Softronic is a company who is modernising locomotives and does not have the large production capacity like Bombardier and Siemens. Electroputere Craiova is a different story.

I hope CFR will have the money and brains to make a best decision regarding our future locomotives.

where did you get that picture? it looks interesting, isn't it the same locomotive we have for those business wagons?

Are you talking about that Taurus in Romanian colors? That one belongs to ÖBB and it's part of their Euro 2008 fleet. They've painted a bunch of these locos in the colors of the countries that qualified for the championship.
http://www.br146.de/bilder/2008-02-20_655_104-1116056.jpg

Here you have them all...:D
http://www.bahnforum.info/mkportal/modules/gallery/album/a_9503.jpg

If you want more pics you can find them on ÖBB's site (http://www.oebb.at/euro2008/de/Fotogalerie/Laenderloks_in_Aktion/index.jsp?startat=1).

Any idea how much a Taurus costs?

3-3.5 million EUR I think...

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/2482/picture011ib0.jpg

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/434/picture006hp5.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/940/picture007tc5.jpg

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/3789/picture010rf1.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6604/img1052ea1.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1002/img0987zy5.jpg

No much of a change since 60ies 70ies..:)

that line is very poor...trains don't travel faster than 60kms/h on it.however u get a great feeling of travelling inside rural,real romania.

Intercity wagon made by Astra Arad

Photos by Catalin Ghita from www.railfaneurope.net

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/car/intercity/A10/50_53_10-70_100-6-01.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/car/intercity/A10/50_53_10-70_100-6-03.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/car/intercity/A10/50_53_10-70_100-6-04.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/car/intercity/A10/50_53_10-70_100-6-06.jpg

http://www.railfaneurope.net/pix/ro/car/intercity/A10/50_53_10-70_100-6-08.jpg

^^ Nice&Cozy. Great pics Tomis! :cheers:

^^

Top speed 200 km/h

To bad we don't have railroads for 200 km/h :(

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1861/highspeedrailroadmapeuryh6.gif (http://imageshack.us)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail_in_Europe

Romania – project leader for Vienna–Constanta railway construction project


Romania will coordinate the project for the construction of the high speed railway to connect Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest, with the final stop in Constanta, according to the information released to Agerpres by Ministry of Transports. Romania will be project leader because it will be responsible for the construction of the largest railway segment, around 800 km.

The segment, which belongs to the Romanian part, could be funded with European funds or by means of public–private partnership, the investment being expected to reach EUR 12 bln, depending on the route and the difficulties in construction.

Those in charge of investments will be the Ministries of Transports and the railway companies from the three countries.

In case of an ongoing funding, the construction could start in four years, and the works will take five to eight years.

Based on CFR schedule of works, the pre-feasibility study will be finalized until end of this year, and the feasibility study in 2009, and during 2010–2011, the procedures for selecting the constructor.
... http://www.nineoclock.ro/index.php?page=detalii&categorie=business&id=20081020-513616

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail_in_Europe
France FTW!:rock:
http://www.gizig.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/tgv.jpg

http://www.indiasheritage.org/POPLAR/engMap.htm
http://www.indiasheritage.org/POPLAR/PP22EN.pdf

Franta ca Franta, dar Spania care e inferioara economic Frantei are si ea o retea foarte buna!!!

Europa la capitolul asta bate America unde ce-i drept lumea circula chiar si pentru un New York-Washington DC sau NY-Boston cu avionul. Ar fi o treaba ca acest lucru sa se dezvolte in toata Europa. Evident ca un Bucuresti-Paris ramane pentru avion dar daca vreau sa ma duc la Amsterdam pot sa vad in acelasi timp Bruxelles-ul.
In acelasi timp vad ca sunt multe linii in constructie in Spania cat si o gramada in plan si in curand s-ar putea ca toate orasele mari din peninsula Iberica sa fie legate de linii de mare viteza.

Franta ca Franta, dar Spania care e inferioara economic Frantei are si ea o retea foarte buna!!!
Iar Germania care e superioara economic Frantei are retea mult mai slaba.

^^ mai slaba ca linii de mare viteza. Dar ca densitate bate pe Franta. Si cred ca asta e mai important. Am mers cu trenul atat in Germania cat si in Franta, si din punctul asta de vedere Germania e un mare "musuroi" de trenuri.

Oricum ambele tari sunt super din punctul asta de vedere. :D

The Brits are noobs!:lol:
Though I wish we had their railways.:(

Franta ca Franta, dar Spania care e inferioara economic Frantei are si ea o retea foarte buna!!!


aici e ''vina'' UE. la cate zeci si zeci de miliarde au bagat in spania...normal ca au ceva retea. Insa nu este foarte extinsa doar orasele mari, deci magistralele.
(e.g. Barcelona de anul trecut). In rest liniile sunt jalnice, as putea spune, comparabile cu liniile romanesti (poate 10 ani mai bune) , si cu ecartament diferit....(acum doar cele de mare viteza sunt pe normal)

Ei pot merge de la Madrid la Barcelona cu ~300 km/h. Noi nu putem merge de la Bucuresti la Timisoara cu viteza asta.:dunno:

^^ mai slaba ca linii de mare viteza.
normal.

-ca linii de mare viteza, Germania e sub Spania.

Cred ca e pe locul 3 in lume dupa Japonia si Franta.

Velaro.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/2960964419_585aafc9f0_o.jpg

:cheers:

UE money. spaniolii n-ar fi fost in stare. chiar si asa au avut ani si ani de intarzieri.... Eu ma refeream la liniile normale: scurta si medie distanta.

Nu am inteles niciodata de ce sunt puse panourile alea pe marginea liniilor de cale ferata. Strica tot farmecul mersului cu trenul. In Germania, cum se apropia trenul de un oras incepeau pe margini panourile de genul, si nu se mai vedea nimic afara... :(

Sunt bariere fonice, similare cu cele de pe autostrada. "Ultimul racnet" in domeniu sunt acum barierele fonice transparente.:)

spania va avea in 2010 cea mai extinsa retea de linii de mare viteza din lume(peste 2000km) mai mult decat franta sau japonia.de asemenea au si cei mai multi km de autostrada din europa.eu nu cred ca au obtinut de la ue atatia bani cat pentru a ajunge lideri in aceste domenii.si chiar daca au facut treaba pe banii ue tot au marele merit ca au stiut cum sa-i atraga.sunt curios daca peste 20ani(spania a intrat in ue in 1986) vom ajunge si noi la performantele lor in acest domeniu.

Spania e inca un exemplu (oare al catelea?) ca poti schimba enorm o tara in numai 10-20 de ani. Sper sa pot vorbi si despre Romania acelasi lucru peste ani.

^^

In Spania nu s-a furat, nu se fura si nu se va fura cat se fura in Romania. :bash:

spania va avea in 2010 cea mai extinsa retea de linii de mare viteza din lume(peste 2000km)

2010?

ma faci sa rad :lol:

Cei 13.800 km de "autostrazi" de care zice panda sunt de fapt impartiti pe doua categorii: autovías si autopistas. Cotnari, nu cumva autovías sunt mai mult drumuri expres sau undeva intre o autostrada si un drum expres?

Stiu ca autopistas au taxa si sunt notate cu AP, in timp ce autovías nu au taxa si sunt notate cu A, dar in rest nu prea stiu diferentele...

Cred ca Franta si Germania au cea mai vasta retea de autostrazi, ambele au in jur de 12.000 km.

P.S.: nu mi-e rusine nici cu Marea Britanie la capitolul autostrazi (doar 3.500 km) si cai ferate.:D
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5515/wcmlandm1cz0.jpg

Cei 13.800 km de "autostrazi" de care zice panda sunt de fapt impartiti pe doua categorii: autovías si autopistas. Cotnari, nu cumva autovías sunt mai mult drumuri expres sau undeva intre o autostrada si un drum expres?



cred ca ai dreptate! (eu nu prea merg cu masina). din ce stiu: sunt unele vechi care au portiuni de autostrada si de express(in localitati), iar cele noi sunt toate construite la standarde UE. Plata difera in fctie de autostrada/provincie. Aici (CAT)autostrazile noi se platesc (dar pe langa Madrid nu).

Nu am inteles niciodata de ce sunt puse panourile alea pe marginea liniilor de cale ferata. Strica tot farmecul mersului cu trenul. In Germania, cum se apropia trenul de un oras incepeau pe margini panourile de genul, si nu se mai vedea nimic afara...

Poate ca sa nu te simti ca pe un roller coaster :D.

Nu am inteles niciodata de ce sunt puse panourile alea pe marginea liniilor de cale ferata. Strica tot farmecul mersului cu trenul. In Germania, cum se apropia trenul de un oras incepeau pe margini panourile de genul, si nu se mai vedea nimic afara... :(
Sunt si pentru a se izola de animale. Chiar in Germania, un ICE a lovit o turma de oi si au facut prapad trenului.


ICE train hits herd of sheep at 250km/h and derails - 20 sheep die :cry:


http://img.stern.de/_content/61/85/618562/04_600.jpg

http://img.stern.de/_content/61/85/618562/10_600.jpg

Cei 13.800 km de "autostrazi" de care zice panda sunt de fapt impartiti pe doua categorii: autovías si autopistas. Cotnari, nu cumva autovías sunt mai mult drumuri expres sau undeva intre o autostrada si un drum expres?

Stiu ca autopistas au taxa si sunt notate cu AP, in timp ce autovías nu au taxa si sunt notate cu A, dar in rest nu prea stiu diferentele...

Cred ca Franta si Germania au cea mai vasta retea de autostrazi, ambele au in jur de 12.000 km.

P.S.: nu mi-e rusine nici cu Marea Britanie la capitolul autostrazi (doar 3.500 km) si cai ferate.:D
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5515/wcmlandm1cz0.jpg

singura deosebire intre autovia si autopista este ca autopista sunt cu plata.in rest nici o diferenta, limita de viteza e aceeasi, doar curbele au raze un pic mai mici pe autovia.intr-adevar sunt autovia mai vechi care nu indeplinesc in totalitate standardele de autostrada, dar acestea sunt momentan modernizate.
si in germania sunt autostrazi care nu au nici macar benzi de urgenta.