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 are offering a short, compact full-steam trip to the last mainline steam in Europe with many operational steam locomotives (there are still 5 Bosnian war locomotives of the 33 series (former DR class 52) available, of which at least 2, maximum 3 are operational, plus 62-125 (Yugoslavian replicas of the American war locomotive), the Skoda 19-12, and on the narrow gauge sector 25-25. We will try to get as many of the machines in front of the lenses as possible in the 3 1/2 days of photography.
Having always combined standard and narrow gauge on previous tours, this time we use our time for the standard gauge locomotives. Only 25-25 will provide shunting support on the Tanago 3 track. Otherwise, this time it's all about BR 33, BR 62 and Skoda 19-12.
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 | 3 1/2 days |
| Meals | Half board |
| Price | from 1.980 Euro |
| Open for bookings. |  |
| Book this tour now | |
The tour program
Monday, May 6, 2024
This year's Bosnia program begins on Sunday with the arrival of our plane at the airport in Tuzla (Wizzair flight Memmingen - Tuzla). Then a half-hour bus transfer to the comfortable 4-star tour hotel Senad od Bosne near Tuzla. After a lunch break we visit one of the mines to see the BR 33 in action. Dinner and overnight stay at the tour hotel.
Tuesday, May 7 to Thursday, May 9, 2024
We "work through" the following program items during our visit:
Visit to the railroad operation and repair plant of the KREKA mining company in Bukinje,
Mine visits in Sikulje and Dubrave with regular 33-metre shunting in front of long coal trains,
Use of the mine locomotives up to the state railroad transfer station,
Special steam train Srebenik - Bosanska Poljana - Lukavac - Sikulje,
Special services of additional 33s in the mines and on the mine-state railroad connecting lines,
Shunting work on standard gauge with Skoda 19-12 and 62-125 under steam in Banovici,
Night shots with class 33 in Lukavac and Sikulje,
Extensive shunting activities in Banovici station, both in the standard gauge and narrow gauge sections of the shunting station,
Special colliery steam with 62-125 in Banovici shunting,
Shunting run on the "Tanago 3 rail track" with CKD Rh 25 and freight wagons,
Night shots with BR 33 in Lukavac, in the Sikulje or Dubrave mine and in the Banovici narrow-gauge station.
As you can see from the video or the photos in our Bosnia gallery, we have had a full program with plenty of photo opportunities in recent years. We expect at least the same number and quality for this tour!
Meal: Breakfast, 3-course menu Dinner.
Overnight stay at the 4-star Hotel Senad od Bosne near Tuzla.
Friday, May 10, 2024
Before breakfast at the tour hotel, transfer to Tuzla airport, where our tour ends.
Meals: Breakfast.
End of the tour.
prices
- 1.980 Euros per person in 1/2 double room (without flight ticket)
(in October 2022 we paid less than 200 euros for the flight ticket Nuremberg - Tuzla) - 140 Euro single room supplement
Our services
- Participation in the above-mentioned photo tours and steam services;
- AW, BW sightseeing and night photography;
- All transfers and entrance fees according to the program;
- Upscale 4-star hotel with half board (large breakfast buffet and 3-course dinner)
- Tanago tour guide (German & English speaking) and local tour guide;
- Tanago information material.
- Not included are tips and personal expenses.
We organize 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!
