In Bosnia, too, steam operation on standard gauge is coming to an end. The locomotives in the mines have less and less work to do, the state railway diesel locomotives are standing toe to toe and it is only a matter of time before the "steam is off". In the past years, Bosnia has always been a worthwhile Tanago destination and our customers have been thrilled each time.
This time we offer a compact full steam trip to the last Plandampf in Europe with many operable steam locomotives (there are still 5 Bosnian war locomotives of the 33 series (former DR-series 52), 2 of them ready for operation, plus 62-125 and 62-111 (Yugoslavian replicas of the American war locomotive), the Skoda 19-12, and on the narrow gauge 83-158 and 83-157, 55-59 and 25-25. We will try to get as many of the machines in front of our lenses as possible during the 7 photo days.
This is perhaps the last time you will experience the operations of steam traction in the Balkans! This is already our seventh tour to the steam locomotives within six years to Bosnia. No organiser has been to Bosnia more often during this period to see the war locomotives than Tanago.
Enjoy in advance the video of our fellow traveller Claude Coune from the Bosnia tour in October 2017.
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| No. of participants | Min. 15 - max. 28 |
| Duration | 8 days |
| Meals | Half board |
| Price | from 2.490 Euro |
| Open for bookings. |  |
| Book this tour now | |
Tuesday, 19 September 2023
This year's Bosnia programme starts on Sunday with the arrival of our plane at Tuzla airport (Wizzair flight Nuremberg - Tuzla). Afterwards half-hour bus transfer to the comfortable 4-star tour hotel Senad od Bosne near Tuzla. Dinner and overnight stay at the tour hotel.
Wednesday, 20 to Monday, 25 September 2023
We will "work through" the following programme items during our visit:
- Visit to the KREKA mining company's railway operation and repair plant in Bukinje,
- Mine visits in Sikulje and Dubrave with regular 33s shunting in front of long coal trains,
- Use of the mine locomotives up to the state railway transfer station,
- Special steam train Srebenik - Bosanska Poljana - Lukavac - Sikulje,
- Special services of additional 33s in the mines and on the connecting lines mine-state railway,
- Shunting on standard gauge with Skoda 19-12 and 62-125 under steam in Banovici,
- night shunting with class 33s in Lukavac and Sikulje,
- extensive shunting activities in Banovici station, both in the standard gauge and the narrow gauge part of the shunting yard,
- Special colliery steam with 62-125 in shunting at Banovici,
- Shunting trip on the "Tanago 3 rail track" with CKD Rh 25 and goods wagons,
- Visit of the narrow gauge railway station in Banovici,
- Special steam trip on the narrow-gauge railway Oskova - Turija with 2 x BR 83 and 8 - 10 open goods wagons,
- Night shots with BR 33 in Lukavac, in the mine Sikulje or Dubrave and in the narrow gauge station of Banovici.
As you can see from the video or the photos in our Bosnia gallery, we had a full programme with lots of photo opportunities in the last years. We expect at least the same number and quality for this tour!
Meal: Breakfast, 3-course menu Dinner.
Overnight in 4 star hotel Senad od Bosne near Tuzla.
Tuesday, 26 September 2023
Before breakfast at the tour hotel, transfer to Tuzla airport where our tour ends.
Meals: Breakfast.
End of the tour.
Tour price:
2490 Euro per person in 1/2 double room (without flight ticket).
in October 2022 we paid less than 200 Euro for the flight ticket Nuremberg - Tuzla.
180 Euro single supplement
Our services:
- Participation in the above-mentioned photo trips and land steam services;
- AW, BW sightseeing and night photography;
- All transfers and entrance fees as per programme;
- Upscale 4-star hotel with half board (large breakfast buffet and 3-course dinner)
- Tanago tour guide (German & English speaking) and local guide;
- Tanago information material.
Not included are tips and personal expenses.
We run this trip with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 28 participants.
Notes
Bosnia-Herzegovina is a civilised European country with hospitable people. The mentality may be different from that of the German-speaking countries, but that is precisely what makes a trip to the Balkans so appealing.
In the best Yugoslavian tradition, taking photographs of locomotives or railway installations is still met with a certain "prohibitive attitude". We therefore need a permit to visit each factory we visit, which the factory management pays well for. Occasionally, even passports or identity cards have to be deposited at the mines.
Traction types and locomotive operations can change at any time. Let's not kid ourselves: we are visiting a dying type of traction - and hardly any railway company runs steam voluntarily. If they could afford it, many railways would have already switched to diesel traction. Only the indebtedness of many companies forces them to continue running with steam. There is no guarantee for a specific locomotive, a specific class, or a specific mine or line. The advertised programme is therefore a snapshot in time, with no entitlement to reimbursement or offsetting of travel costs.
Despite recent legislation, terms such as occupational health and safety or accident prevention are often foreign words. Please be careful and be aware of your surroundings, especially in mines and coal loading facilities there is a greater risk of accidents than at home in Germany!
In order to make the best use of our time in the country, we start early in the morning, usually have a small snack on the road at lunchtime, and then eat plenty in the evening. There is almost always meat in all variations on the table!
The costs of the land programme are a kind of "all-inclusive". Your additional costs on this trip are therefore limited to the consumption of drinks and potential extra wishes. Apart from that, there is only a contribution to the tip fund.
Temperatures & Technique
We expect sunny days with pleasant summer temperatures - about the same as here in Germany, it can be a bit chilly in the mornings.
Our hotel "Senad od Bosne" in Tuzla offers perfect WiFi in all rooms.
Entry requirements
An identity card is sufficient for entry into Bosnia and Herzegovina, please check the possibly deviating regulations for your home country!
