European Railroad Discussion > Czech Republic: Doubleheaded Steam, November 8

On November 8, 2014, Slezské zemské dráhy (Silesian Railways), a Czech narrow gauge tourist railway, plans to steam U46.002 + U57.001, double-headed, from Třemešná ve Slezsku to Osoblaha, a distance of approximately 20 km. Osoblaha is approximately 286 km due east of Prague, and just south of Prudnik, Poland.

U46.002, 0-8-0T (Resita 946/1951), 760mm gauge, ex-CFF no. 764.368, is a former Romanian forestry 0-8-0T, and was just recently returned to service.

U57.001, 0-10-0 (Skoda 1932 / 1949), 760mm gauge, was built by Skoda for "Steinbeisbahn" in Bosnia - Herzegovina. After 1945, "Steinbeisbahn" became part of Yugoslavian Railways (JZ). U57.001 was operated by JZ, mostly in freight service, until 1970 -1971, when diesels arrived and the use of steam declined.

U57.001 survived, and was eventually acquired by the Austrian group, "Club 760." U57.001 was shipped to Austria, where some repairs were made. In 2008, U57.001 was loaned to Slezské Zemské Dráhy, and was shipped to the Czech Republic, where additional repairs were made, including the conversion of the locomotive's brakes from vacuum to air-pressure brakes.

For additional insights, contact Michael Grimes at: +353-86-0444-017

Slezské zemské dráhy: http://www.osoblazsko.com/en/timetable/special-steam
International Steam: http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/trains/czech04.htm