07 September 2016

1 Early in the morning at Vişeu de Sus depot and the locos for the day are brewing up.	2 The three Reşiţa built 0-8-0ts here, from the left are 764.421 'Elvetia', 764.449 'Ioana' and 764.435 'Bavaria'.	3 CFF Viseu has a number of Reşiţa locos stored for a rainy day.
4 The third of the rainy day locos is 764.436.	5 Classic Romanian forestry railway traction! A converted Trani.....	6 An electric Transit conversion?
7 0-8-0t 764.211 'Măriuţa' at Vişeu de Sus. This loco is an O&K product dating from 1910.	8 faur B-B 87-0033. Each of the four Faur diesels on the line are in a different colour.	9 764.449 in the yard at Vişeu de Sus. The steam was provided by 764.421 ‘Elvetia’ which was moving up the yard.
10 From the left 764.469, 764.435 'Bavaria' and 764.449 'Ioana'.	11 Track workers in HV, times change even at CFF Viseu. The day has dawned to clear skies.	12 764.469 moves off shed.
13 87-0036, in the shed, 87-0015, current era traction for the log trains and, behind, now in tourist train service 764.435 'Bavaria' and 764.449 'Ioana'.	14 764.435 'Bavaria' pushes the 'dead' 764.449 'Ioana' up the yard.	15 It had to be in black and white to dull the effect of the HV wear on the track gang.
16 764.449 'Ioana', 764.421 ‘Elvetia’ with 764.211 'Măriuţa' in front and, on the right, 764.469.	17 87-0015 and 764.435 'Bavaria' on shed.	18 Trying to fix a leaking injector
19 Steam shed filth and atmosphere.	20 A foundation ring take a rest against a wagon of coal.	21 Track gang at work. Behind is the wood store for the locos.
22 In the lifting bay was 764.408 'Cozia-1' a Reghin product of 1986. In front of the loco is one of the Klein-Linder wheelsets these locos are fitted with.	23 764.469 gets some final prep as the track gang carry on with their tasks.	24 Tightening flange bolts.
25 Finally the sun appears over the hills.	26 Front ends.	27 87-0015 and 764.421 ‘Elvetia’.
28 764.421 ‘Elvetia’.	29 87-0015, 764.435 'Bavaria' and 764.421 ‘Elvetia’.	30 764.435 ‘Bavaria’ waits off shed time alongside 764.469 and 764.421
31 Reşiţa front ends at Vişeu de Sus.	32 Springs that aren't going to do another trip....	33 764.435 has a smoke whilst waiting for something else to do.
34 Reflection in the dirt.	35 Still leaking then.....	36 Vişeu de Sus depot.
37 New spark arrestor chimney.	38 Vişeu de Sus works forge.	39 764.469 stands at the head of the 09:00 tourist train to Paltin.
40 764.469 sets back at Vişeu de Sus. The 9am departs from way back down the yard, next to the station building whereas the other portions of the tourist train depart from across the yard.	41 A Russian Volga car coverted for rail use.	42 0-8-0t 764.469 gets its water tanks topped up at Vişeul de Sus station.
43 764.469 baths in the warm morning sun.	44 The car park rapuidly fills in the morning. The 09:00 train is normally full by 08:30. Get there early!	45 Away from the tourist train the logging operations continue.
46 0-8-0t 764.313 in nice morning light.	47 764.421 ‘Elvetia’ drops down from the shed towards the station yard.	48 Don't on the railway, oh hang on.... 764.421 ‘Elvetia’ approaches a set of points which need changing.....
49 764.421 ‘Elvetia’ sits at the head of the 09:30 depature from Vişeu de Sus. As might be expected the vehcicles all sit at different angles!!	50 Still trying to get to Switzerland?	51 Wengenalpbhan coaches showing some Romanian mods.
52 CFF Viseu was very busy despite it not being peak season. Long may that continue.	53 Time for some steam shunting with 764.435 ‘Bavaria’.	54 764.435 ‘Bavaria’ pushes the rake of bogies back down the yard between two sets of carriages.
55 Having done its shunting 764.435 ‘Bavaria’ heads towards its train whilst 764.421 ‘Elvetia’ waits time.	56 764.435 ‘Bavaria’ in the lovely September light at Vişeu de Sus.	57 Looking back.
58 764.435 ‘Bavaria’. each train goes out with a wagon laden with wood for the journey.	59 Plenty of steam and vehciles at angles as 764.421 ‘Elvetia’ struggles for grip near Valea Scradei.	60 At Valea Scradei the 09:30 caught up with 09:00.
61 Like it says really....	62 One of many interesting looking bridges over the Vaser river.	63 Vaser valley view.
64 The loop at Novat.	65 At Novat we passed a train heading down the valley which was brining a party of Germans back from a night in the forest.	66 At Novat a branch, now close, diverged up a valley.
67 No, no, you go first. I insist!	68 Water stop time at Glimboaca.	69 Whilst at Glimboaca the log supply on the loco gets a top up.
70 764.421 ‘Elvetia’ at Glimboaca.	71 The fireman was pretty athletic. Why use the steps at the front when the motion and tank will do?	72 Checking the sand box. The chimney shows signs of fresh wood on the fire.
73 Filling the valley with wood smoke.	74 Water is taken by sucking it out of a stream.	75 764.421 ‘Elvetia’ at Glimboaca.
76 The CFF Viseu locos are genuine dual fuel locos - wood is the primary fuel with coal as needed.	77 The Vaser river at Glimboaca.	78 At Glimboaca the 10:00 portion of the tourist service for the day caught up with the 09:30.
79 The Vaser valley is very impressive and well worth a visit.	80 Crossing the Vaser near Cozia.	81 Cozia.
82 An alternative to log extraction by rail....	83 Looks like there is coal on the fire for the climb ahead.	84 Smoke trail in the Vaser valley.
85 Logs by rail at Novicior.	86 Heading around another of the line's many corners. This one is just beyonf Novicior.	87 Not for the first time speed was down to walking pace due to lack of adhesion. It was so bad the driver was off to have a look!
88 Presumably the sand needed some assistance to flow. So the fireman was up on top to sort it out.	89 The fireman is now sat on the cab roof as adhesion returns.	90 So, time to get back into the cab.
91 Acrobatics in progress.....	92 Walking along a metal strip no wider than an inch.	93 And nearly back to the cab.
94 And back, all done as the loco rocked and rolled.	95 And so to the destination of the train, Paltin.	96 764.421 ‘Elvetia’ at Paltin.
97 So, the decision was queue up for lunch at Paltin or leg it back down the line to try to get a shot of the 10:00 service coming up the valley. No contest!!! 15 minutes walk back from Paltin, at Novicor, 764.435 ‘Bavaria’ heads around the corner dictated by the river. Amazingly luck was on my side, within seconds the sun had gone behind a cloud.	98 At Novicior a wooden gate stands astride of the line. Evidence of the lassing of the 10:00 services hangs in the valley.	99 A wooden weit in the Vaser.
100 Forestry railway track.	101 Leaning over somewhat..... 764.469 waits at Paltin with the return leg of the 09:00 train.	102 Paltin.
103 764.435 ‘Bavaria’ and train at Paltin. The trains run beyond the station to allow the engines to run-round.	104 Paltin!	105 Platin has a small and interesting museum.
106 On top of 764.421's boiler. From the left, spark arresting chimney, feedwater delivery dome, sand box, steam dome and whistle.	107 Calea Ferată Forestieră Viseu.	108 Cabside plates on 764.421.
109 Ride height variation one.	110 Ride height variation two.	111 Former Swiss WAB coaches adapted for Romania, which includes the fitment of heating stoves and basic couplings.
112 An older coach in use on CFF Viseu.	113 Primative couplings on what are loose coupled passenger trains. Not sure what the procedure is should a train divide!	114 Is that a toilet or guard's compartment?
115 heading down the Vaser valley behind 764.421.	116 A very basic bridge, once again after you, I insist....	117 Logging operation in the Vaser valley.
118 Line of sight working with a Mercedes minibus at Novat.	119 Traditional horsepower.	120 Definately not trying this bridge!
121 Orders by radio.	122 Back at Vişeu de Sus.	123 764.211 in the sun at Vişeul de Sus.
124 Back up the valley, a few kilometres north of Valea Scradei, modern and environmentally destructive logging was in progress.	125 The path cut by the logging operation extends up into the trees.	126 Faur 450hp B-B diesel 87-0032 hauls the loaded log train down the Vaser valley a few kilometres north of Valea Scradei.
127 Log train in the Vaser valley with a brakesman ready for action.	128 Shortly after the passage of the main logging train L18H-001 ‘Ecaterina’ followed with a short train of logs and other vehicles.	129 L18H-001 ‘Ecaterina’ and its short train in the Vaser valley.
130 B-B diesel 87-0032 hauls the loaded log train down the Vaser valley a little south of Valea Scradei.	131 On the brakes. Knowing the road is essential!	132 Faur built L18H-001 ‘Ecaterina’ and its short train pulls away from a stop at the small village of Valea Scradei.
133 ‘Ecaterina’ in Valea Scradei.	134 Tradtion traction in Valea Scradei.	135 0-8-0t 764.313.
136 CFF Viseu 763 193 and a log fuel wagon on display.	137 CFF Viseu, once state run, is now owned by RG Holz.	138 A view up the yard at Vişeu de Sus.
139 'Ecaterina' has been afflicated with a number of stickers.	140 Cabside on L18H-001.	141 Fly shunting in the yard. There was much excitement down the yard as the vehicles approached and it was relaised the road was set up incorrectly....
142 87-0015 rolls down through the yard.	143 Machanised wood handling, a sign of the times.	144 Duties done for the day, L18H-001 ‘Ecaterina’ rests on shed.
145 87-0015 alongside the recently built office at the depot.	146 87-0015 goes about its duties.	147 A bogie from something.
148 Awaiting use again?	149 Devoid of a lots of parts.	150 Also out of use, presumably.
151 87-0036 and another L18.	152 My hire car with evidence of dusty roads.	153 764.484 by night.
154 Mariazellerbahn 1099.012 in the car park.