Two Diesel locomotives L45H have arrived in Comandău

2008.11.19 (Markója Szilárd)

Covasna Country Council has made a next step to achieve the main aim, to reopen the line: doing so would supply a link between Covasna and Comandãu and the line would encourage tourism in the area.

Megérkeztek.
Fotó: Papucs András (2008.11.14.)

In Romania narrow gauge railways - infrastructure and rolling stock - keep disappearing. That is why all possibilities have to be considered when candidates for the proposed fleet are being offered. Covasna Country Council plans to provide besides the steam trains also a normal train service, which necessitated purchasing two diesel locomotives together with three couches.

Locomotive data: L35H 020 / 040-D45H-003 / 87-0003-1, Built: 1966, Work nr: 20470 L35H 030 / 040-D45H-007 / 87-0007-2, Built: 1967, Work nr: 2054787-0003 is the oldest of its kind. Plates have been stolen since withdrawing from service in 1996. However, loco register books have been kept which indicate that besides serving the Turda line the locos have spent most of their life on the Târgu Mureº system. The original 350 HP engines have been replaced by 450 HP ones, that is the reason for type indication change L35H --> L45H. Main overhauls have been carried out in Cluj. The shabby looking locos house mechanics in reasonable condition. Repairs are due to be done locally. They are planned to be on regular train duties, the third diesel on the system is supposed to be a spare one. The 3 couches came from Târgu Mureº, too. Purchasing them was essential as the Forestry railway has got one single couch, an open one on the upper section. The couches are closed ones which is adequate to the local weather. Thanks to the years of unguarded storage they have been damaged but technically they seem to be unproblematic to be repaired. Through-air-pipes will allow an economical (less staff required) and safe working on the steep gradients. Temporarily they are being stored at inclined plane lower station.  Further pictures here.