Railway Herald
One of only two remaining operational Class 77 diesel locomotives on the Bulgarian Rhodope narrow gauge railway, 77-109, is captured passing through Kostanovo on 20th March 2024 working FAST service 1661 (08:55) Septemvri to Dobrinishte. The Express service facility at Ruse in northern Bulgaria was contracted to undertake major rebuilds on 77-002 and 77-009. Only the frames and bogies were retained with cabs and body shells rebuilt from new materials. In addition, electronic controls were installed along with EU Stage 5 standard Caterpilar diesel engines. Following the rebuilds the locomotives were re-numbered as Class 77/1 becoming 77-102 and 77-109. Henschel Class 75 No. 75006 waits with an opposite direction nortbound service from Dobrinishte to Septemvri.
Stephen Ginn
