Railway Herald
New private freight operator on the Bulgarian main line in 2016 was TBD Cargo, a subsidery company of the Bobov Dol power station which began using two Skoda electrics 44-072 and 44-083. Previously BDZ locomotives, both were extensively refurbished in the Czech Republic before returning to Bulgaria for service with their new operator. 13th June 2016 and 44-072 and 44-083 look resplendent in the red, white and blue livery of TBD Cargo are pictured at Voluyak, Sofia. Following arrival from the Beli Breg mine situated close to the Serbian border with a consist of loaded coal hoppers 44-072 is pictured running around it's train to attach to the opposite end. Meanwhile, class mate 44-083 has detached the front eleven hoppers and will soon shunt them into an adjacent siding. The remainder of the loaded coal then duly left in top and tail configuration for the run south to the power station at Golemo Selo, near Dupnica, approximately midway between the Capital and Bulgarias south western border with Greece.
Stephen Ginn
