Railway Herald
The view looking south from Iliyantsi station as recorded during the late afternoon of 26th September 2024. The day's allocated Class 32 EMU to the Sofia diagram, Set No. 32-127/32-128 approaches from the south working the ECS (Empty Coaching Stock) move from Central station to Kurilo. The myriad of catenary posts and wires mask the northern outskirts of the city. The cross-over from left to right connects to the freight-only line to the capital's second freight yard at Voluyak, seen here on the extreme right disappearing in a decidedly uphill fashion. This cross-over is in constant use, especially during 2024/2025 when direct east/west access through Sofia Central is heavily restricted. Most if not all east/west freight workings are being rerouted through Iliyantsi for access to the Sub-Balkan main line and run via Pirdop and Karlovo.
Stephen Ginn
