Jernbanenyheder III. kvartal 2000

• Railway Industry: Bombardier to buy ADtranz
• Denmark: 6 DSB MY's stored... and 2 scrapped! - MZ update - Shunting accident in Nykøbing F. - ME repainted in new design - MY works passenger train - EG's being hauled by EA's - Danmarks Jernbanemuseum 25 years - MZ-withdrawals and ME IR-rebuilds - MZ III's to Lithuania - Dan-Link ferries - SA/SB/SC/SD-"S-tog" back on track - Class MK not to work on main lines - New freight wagons - LJ MX leased to VLTJ - Niebüll-Tønder reopening - Øresund link inaguration
  
• Germany: NEG V170 works for EVB - HGK 9901 allowed for use- Class 101 withdrawn - DB stock news - Class 202 stock list - Class 219 - InnoTrans 2000 in Berlin - 185 testings - Last red "Ferkeltaxe" withdrawn - Class 103 painted in verkehrsrot - Class 141 scrappings - Private company to take over Berlin-Malmö operation - DB 103 withdrawals - HGK "class 66" testings - NEG V170's in Haldensleben
• Hungary:
M 61 status - MÁV Museum opens - MAV MDmot accident
• Luxemburg: More on CFL / Dispolok ME 26 - Dispolok works passenger train - Siemens Dispolok DE 26 leased for 3 years
• Norway: Sleeper service extended/re-established - NSB agrees with Adtranz - NSB deadlines ADtranz - Di3 for Kosovo? - NSB recruits new leader - BM 73 prolonged withdrawal
• Sweden : TKAB Boden - Haparanda service - Class 66 for TGOJ
• United Kingdom: 59103 derails at bridge - Freightliner class 66's - Final EWS class 66 delivered
• Greece: MLW/Alco to be rebuild
• Model railways: DSB ME from hobby trade - Internationale Modelspoor Expositie in Netherlands

Bombardier to buy ADtranz: According to danish newspaper Børsen on 20. July 2000, canadian railway manufacturer Bombardier is bying ADtranz from Daimler-Chrysler. (25. July 2000, source Børsen)

Bombardier, the Canadian aerospace and transportation group, has confirmed the acquisition of Adtranz, DaimlerChrysler's rail equipment division, for $725 million on 4. August 2000. (10. August 2000, sources Bombardier press release and ADtranz).

6 DSB MY's stored... and 2 scrapped! : On 19. September 2000, ME 1513 hauled MY 1152+1145+1153+1146+1150+1126 from Århus to Copenhagen in train M 6028. The MY's are all to be stored. Remaining in use with DSB are now only MY 1154, 1156, 1157, 1158 and 1159, which regularly works the Fredericia-Vejle-Horsens and Århus-.Grenå-Århus-Hesselager freight trains as well as some odd workings. MY 1135 is still used for test trains.

MY 1107 and 1116, which was owned by Dansk Jernbane-Klub/GM-gruppen and PBS respectively, was scrapped in Tønder by a local company in the beginning of September for use as spare parts (21. September 2000, source John Nissen).

MZ update: In the beginning of September 2000, DSB MZ 1423 was put on store, due to engine failure, and will be withdrawn. The loco is currently standing at the Copenhagen Workshop.

Meanwhile, the use of the MZ I/II-series on Zealand is more and more common. The Århus workshop will end its maintanence of GM-locos at the end of the year and all maintanence of diesel-locos will be moved to Copenhagen. So the allocation of locos to Eastern and Western zone will probably end. (15. September 2000).

MZ 1406 was hauled to Copenhagen on 16. September and is going to be stored (21. September 2000).

Shunting accident in Nykøbing F.: On 3. September 2000 two empty regional trains collided in Nykøbing F. during shunting manouvers. MZ 1447 and ME 1508 was invovled, apparently the engine of ME 1508 was loosened, but the loco will be repaired. 6 class Bn and ABns was damaged and will be withdrawn (14. September 2000, source Per Topp-Nielsen).

ME repainted in new design: On friday 8. September 2000, ME 1511 came out of the Århus workshop, painted in a new all-red design with the new "whinged wheel" on the sides and the numbers in the "Via"-font of DSB.The loco was hauled by EA 3010 in GS 9114 from Fredericia to Copenhagen on the same day.
(10. September 2000, source Ole Møller Nielsen and Jens Beier Naundrup Jensen).

Photos by Hans Ole Petersen added 11. September 2000.

ME 1511 was repainted after the minor crash in Kalundborg on 27. June 2000. Also ME 1509 is undergoing repair and will be painted in this new livery. It is still to be considered as a "test-livery", and has not been officially approved yet. Other locos involved in crashes will probably also be repainted, but most of the ME and MZ I & II's are certainly in need of repainting!

ME 1509 and ME 1511 has not been rebuild with the Emergency Brake Overriding (NBO, "Nødbremseoverstropning") for the IR-services from 22. September (see below), this currently being installed on the ME's no's 1528-1537. In case of emergencies in the Storebælt-tunnel the loco driver can then take the train out of the tunnel for ease of evacuation (14. September 2000).

MY works passenger train: In an unusual working, MY 1158+4 Bn-oi+2 Bn-o+ADns-e worked the IR 1661 from Fredericia to Århus on 8. September 2000, due to loco shortage in Fredericia. RV 1646 Ar-Od and RV 1655 Od-Ar was hauled by MZ 1448 (10. September 2000, source Jan Munch Pedersen).

EG's being hauled by EA's: During August 2000 it has been quite common to see class EG-locomotives being hauled by EA's. This isn't because of breakdowns, but due to lack of loco drivers trained to these new locos. MZ or EA-locos are coupled to the EG-hauled trains in Nyborg and then hauls them to Padborg, from where these locos then hauls another EG+freigth train back to Nyborg (30. August 2000, various sources and sightings).

Danmarks Jernbanemuseum 25 years: On the weekend 19.-20. August 2000 the celebration of the 25 years of the Odense Jernbanemuseum took place with lots of steam activities in and around the roundhouse. A total of 8 steam locos where steamed, while a number of diesel-locos and old DMU's also where active. A special train from Kiel arrived on saturday 19. hauled by steam loco E 991 and german coaches. Also the newest preserved loco, DSB MZ 1401, was on display, looking filthy and dirty, having just come out of active service! For me, no doubt the most impressive thing about the weekend was, when MY 1101 and MZ 1401 was running in possition 8 under the roof of "Dronning Louises Station", making a superb noise!!! Photos from the event can be found at the homepage of Christof Ziebart (30. August 2000, thanks to Thorsten Büker. Photos by Thorsten added 11. September 2000).

MZ-withdrawals and ME IR-rebuilds: It is planned that all MZ I/II passenger workings will end and several locos of the class will be withdrawn from the timetable change 22. October 2000. But freigth workings will also start to appear in the Eastern Zone on regular basis. All hauled passenger-workings west of Storebælt will then be ME- or EA-hauled.

10 class ME diesel locos, 1528-1537, will be rebuild to haul the friday/sunday Interregio trains througout Copenhagen-Århus/Aalborg in multiple through the Great Belt tunnel. This will involve installation of emergency brake overriding. Internally, the locos will be known as "MEO" (10. August 2000).

MZ III's to Lithuania: The 7 MZ III's currently standing in Padborg is to be moved to Poland, where they will be regauged to 1524 mm gauge for use in Lithuania. Another 7 locos are planned to be sold/leased to an unknown operator in Lithuania. Due to German administration, the locos hasn't been moved yet. See also the news archive (10. August 2000).

Dan-Link ferries: The two former Copenhagen-Helsingborg Dan-Link rail-ferries "M/F Trekroner" and "M/F Öresund" has been docked in Nakskov and Middelfart. "M/F Trekroner" will perhaps be doing a new Moss (Norway) - Puttgarden (Germany) freight ferry line. "M/F Öresund" is up for sale (25. July 2000, various sources).

SA/SB/SC/SD-"S-tog" back on track: The 4th generation Copenhagen Suburban S-tog is back in use, after being banned from work after the derailment of an empty train in tow at Valby in January 2000. Some rebuilding of the trains has been necessary (25. July 2000, various sources).

Class MK not to work on main lines: As the danish track authorities "Banestyrelsen" has banned non-ATC equipped locos from mainline workings from the timetable change, class MK can no longer work its usual plans. MZ or MY-locomotives are used for the trains from Kolding to Vamdrup and Vojens, while a MK is taken to Vejen on monday morning and return friday, trains also being worked by MZ or MY. Also PBS-trains has been hit by the non-ATC ban, but has been granted an exemption, apparently until september (25. July 2000, various sources).

New freight wagons: DSB Gods are to lease the following types of freigth wagons:
Sgns and Sdggmrs from AAE
ACTS-Slps from CFL
Shimm(n)s from PKP

The first of 30 DSB Sdggmrs "Mega Pack" piggy-back wagons arrived in Fredericia on 14. July 2000. The wagons will be used in DSB Gods new Shuttle train from Høje Tåstrup to Stockholm. The wagons has to be allowed for traffic by "Jernbanetilsynet" first and will not go into use until 1. September 2000. They are build by Ganz, Budapest.
First four numbers are:
33 86 495 5 000 - 003 [P]. The waggons are in grey livery.

On the other hand, 24 DSB Eaos (leased from AAE ) is being renumbered to SBB and some others to AAE. The wagons are being renumbered in Denmark by the Nyborg workshop. Also 60 Rs-wagons has been sold to On Rail, while another 20 DSB Rs is to be rebuild in Sweden into class Roos, to replace outrunned class Lps.
The 18 blue-livered "Herningværket - I/S Vestkraft" Fals-wagons 84 86 665 0 001 - 018 [P] build by Scandia in 1982 has been sold to a German company in Duisburg (25. July, sources Ole Møller Nielsen, Per Topp Nielsen and Jan Lundstrøm).

LJ MX leased to VLTJ: LJ M 36 has been modified and painted in the bright red LJ-colors in the spring and then leased to VLTJ. It arrived in Herning on 7. July and where then hauled by also leased ØSJS Mx 41 to Lemvig in GF 8720 (25. July 2000).

Niebüll-Tønder reopening: The passenger traffic on the Niebüll (Germany) - Tønder line was restarted on 2. July 2000, when DSB MR/D set -08 worked the first train. The passenger traffic on the line had been shut down since 1979. The photo by Sven Ullrich shows DSB MR/D -10 with train 5660 on the first day of operation.

Fares are quite cheap, one-day return Niebüll-Tønder = 20 DKK, Niebüll-Esbjerg = 80 DKK. (25. july 2000, sources Sven Ullrich)

Øresund link inaguration: The Øresund fixed link between Copenhagen and Malmö was inagurated on saturday 1. July 2000 by Swedish King Gustav and Danish Queen Dronning Margrehte. The ET/X31K-EMU's 4306 and 4308 met at Peberholmen, the artificial island in Øresund, and was coupled together, then running to Lernaken in Sweden, from where the celebrations where held.

The ordinaty traffic then started on sunday 2. July 2000 from Malmö 6.13, when train 1315 departed only 4 minutes late. However, later on that day technical problems with the ATC delayed many trains. (5. july 2000, sources DR, TV2 and dk.fritid.jernbaner).

The first weeks of operation on the Øresund fixed link has brought up some problems.

Many freight trains has been severely delayed (up to 200 mins.) during the first weeks of operation, due to lack of class EG-locomotives. Therefore, the use of EG-locos will be on the Malmö-Vigerslev section only. From Vigerslev, class EA's will take over to Padborg.

From 21. July the Copenhagen-Malmö "Øresundstog" passenger trains will no longer stop at Ørestaden, only around 400 passengers use this station per day. Instead, the time will be used for a longer stop in Copenhagen Airport Station (Cph). The Helsingør- and Roskilde-Cph trains still stops at Ørestaden. (25. July 2000, various sources).

NEG V170 works for EVB: Two NEG V170's (former DSB MY) works the Eisenbahnen und Verkehrsbetriebe Elbe-Weser GmbH EVB) Bremerhaven - Hamburg container train this week, as the EVB 288 (formerly in Switzerland, ex. DB 220 053, ex. V200 053) is being repaired. Last week from wednesday 13. September 2000, the NEG 06 & 07 (Vossloh/MaK G1206) was used, then from monday 18. September 2000, two Nohabs has been used. They will probably be used for the rest of the week.

Possible timings are: Grolland - Bremen Rbf (Stw.Baf) ca 10:00 / 10:30 - Hamburg Hamburg - Bremen Rbf (Stw.Baf) Mon-Thu. ca. 16:00 / 16:30, Fri. ca. 14:45 /15:15 - Grolland Grolland dep. ca.: 19:30 - Bremerhaven (21. September 2000, source Drehscheibe-Online).

HGK 9901 allowed for use: "Class 66" GM-build loco 9901 of HGK was allowed in use by German Rail Authorities EBA on 12. September 2000. Planned workings for the following day where the "Feuchthydratzug" from Martinswerk to Quadrath-Ichendorf. Timings:
DNG 80185 Godorf 8.00 - 9.15 Quadrath-Ichendorf; W(Sa)
DNG 80186 Quadrath-Ichendorf 13.00 - 14.15 Godorf; W(Sa)
More on the HGK GM's can be found further down in Rail-O-Rama News (21. September 2000, source Ringler.Net).

Class 101 withdrawn: 101 092, which was invovled in the accident in Brühl on 6. February 2000, will be withdrawn, the loco being used for spare parts and then scrapped. ADtranz has checked the loco, but it cannot be rebuild (21. September 2000, source Drehscheibe-Online).

DB stock news:

Withdrawn
103 181	15.08.2000
110 102	30.08.2000
140 064	10.08.2000
140 125	10.08.2000
140 127	10.08.2000
140 474	10.08.2000
141 018	14.08.2000
150 084	10.08.2000
150 122	10.08.2000
150 147	10.08.2000
215 052	10.08.2000
215 067	10.08.2000
Stored / Z-gestellt
103 123	28.07.2000
103 178	03.08.2000
110 227	12.09.2000
110 511	xx.xx.2000
215 061	xx.xx.2000
215 105	xx.xx.2000
229 106	05.09.2000	"Getriebe-probleme"
Transfers
143 094/592	Düsseldorf > Mannheim
143 869/888/956	Düsseldorf > Nürnberg West
215 016/110	Köln > Giessen
215 111/119	Köln > Darmstadt
215 114/118	Köln > Trier

Class 103: 103 185 and 207 are due to be stored within the next weeks.
Class 110: 110 103/176/193/194/227/241/294 are due to be withdrawn this year.

Class 202: The following locos of the old DR V100-class are still in use / still with DB on 7. September 2000. The locos will probably be withdrawn within short due, as new DMU's are taking over their workings. Umlaufpläne for current passenger workings can be found at Phils Locopage. Notice that there are still several of the stronger class 204 in use. Many ex. V100's has been rebuild and are now in use with private railway operators of Germany.

202 169	Cottbus			202 543	Erfurt
202 265	Cottbus			202 544	Görlitz
202 271	Cottbus			202 573	Cottbus	Frist abgelaufen
202 294	Gera			202 594	Görlitz
202 309	Erfurt			202 625	Chemnitz	Frist abgelaufen, stored in Dresden
202 310	Görlitz			202 646	Görlitz
202 311	Görlitz			202 651	Görlitz
202 330	Cottbus			202 661	Chemnitz
202 334	Gera			202 672	Dresden
202 342	Dresden			202 679	Görlitz
202 373	Chemnitz			202 703	Görlitz
202 384	Erfurt			202 735	Chemnitz
202 385	Erfurt			202 743	Chemnitz
202 416	Chemnitz			202 746	Cottbus
202 430	Görlitz			202 751	Görlitz
202 446	Dresden			202 764	Chemnitz
202 454	Görlitz			202 777	Görlitz	Stored / Z
202 459	Görlitz			202 778	Chemnitz	Stored / Z
202 466	Erfurt			202 781	Dresden
202 486	Erfurt			202 791	Chemnitz
202 494	Cottbus			202 811	Görlitz
202 500	Görlitz			202 817	Chemnitz	Frist abgelaufen
202 520	Cottbus	Frist abgelaufen		202 832	Dresden
202 523	Görlitz	Awaiting spare parts		202 844	Dresden
202 525	Gera	Frist abgelaufen		202 885	Chemnitz

(14. September 2000, source Lok-Report. More info also available on the V100 der DR homepage).

Class 219: These locos, build by "23rd August" in Romania and known as "U-boats" for their round side windows, are well-known for their unreliability! However, they are still widely in use. The locos still in the old colors of the DR are threatened to be withdrawn within the next year, as they are all due for overhauls, which probably wont take place. A list of the remaining "Alt-Rote" 219's can be found at Ade' Deutsche Reichsbahn (14. September 2000, sources Lok-Report and Ade' Deutsche Reichsbahn).

InnoTrans 2000 in Berlin: The bi-annual InnoTrans railway exhibition in Berlin takes place from 12.-15. September 2000, on the 16. and 17. September the exhibition is open to the public. Lots of new rolling stock and railway equipment is on display, including the new Vossloh G2000 diesel locomotive, for use with private german operatorss. Lok-Report has a good coverage of what is on display and you'll also find some useful info on the homepage of InnoTrans (14. September 2000).

185 testings: New DBAG dual-voltage locomotve 185 001-5 was tested in Luxemburg on 14.-20. August 2000 on the Luxembourg-Wasserbillig and Luxemburg-Bettemburg lines , together with a CFL 1800 dieselloco and two CFL 3000-locos (3014+3005) and a DSB measuring wagon. The DSB-wagons has also been used in Germany as can be seen on a photo on www.peist-bahnfotos.de (30. August 2000, sources Lok-Report and Sven Ullrich).

Last red "Ferkeltaxe" withdrawn: The last class 772 DMU in red livery, former class 172 of Deutsche Reichsbahn, DBAG 772 148 -3 was withdrawn when "fristablauf" 18. August 2000. The weeks before it had some gear-problems, otherwise having been used on the Altenburg - Zeitz line since the may 2000 timetable change. Two other red 772's are still able to operate, 772 105 of Bh Nordhausen (30.09.00 Fristablauf) and 772 111 of Bh Nordhausen. (17.12.2000 Fristablauf). But these two units aren't being used anymore (30. August 2000, sources Lok-Report and www.ferkeltaxe.xodox.de).

Class 103 painted in verkehrsrot: 103 233-3 was repainted from the old "orient-red" to the new verkehrsrot livery in Opladen and presented on 5. August. The german magazine Eisenbahn-Journal got the idea, sponsored by model railway company Roco. Originally, DBAG had no plans to repaint any of the 103's in the new red livery, but then got pursuaded anyway. 103 233-3 was chosed, as it was in the un-popular "old-red" livery, which doesn't fit the classic high-speed locomotives very well, while the rest of the locos in cream/red "TEE"-livery all seems to keep their livery. Eisenbahn Journal runs a website with the 103 233-3 plans (10. August 2000, sources Eisenbahn Journal, Die 103 online and Drehscheibe-Online).

103 233-3 was taken into the workshops in Hamburg-Eidelstedt on 31. August 2000 with a defect motor. Plans for the loco can be found here (1. September 2000).

103 233-3 will make it's first move to Denmark on 13. September on IR 2184, arriving at Padborg 14.41, departure again on IR 2185 at 15.13 (12. September 2000, source www.103er.de).

103 233-3 certainly DID make it to Denmark for the first time on IR 2184 from Hildesheim on 13. September. Due to signalling problems it was delayed in departure and didn't make it from Padborg until 15.32 in front of IR 2185 (14. September 2000).

Class 141 scrappings: The green-livered 141 072, which had been restored to its original look in the en of the 1990's, has been scrapped at recycling-company Bender. The locomotive was last used out of Seelze with old Bundesbahn-logo, silver-livered roof and front lights and was planned to become a DB-museum locomotive. Also green locomotives 141 016 and 141 088 has been scrapped. E 41 001 still runs as a musum loco in blue (10. August 2000, source Lok-Report).

Austrian Dispoloks: Dispolok class "ES 64 U2" 1116.902 of the "Taurus"-series in delivery for ÖBB, had its first run from Linz to St. Valentin on 2.August, while 1116.901 and 903 are almost complete. 1116.902 and 903 are in grey/yellow Dispolok-livery, while 1116.901 is in completely silver livery and going to be leased to swiss company Hupac (10. August 2000, source Lok-Report and Ringler-Net). Photo by Roland Beier on Ringler-Net

Private company to take over Berlin-Malmö operation: According to Berliner Zeitung, DBAG is to cancel its Berlin Lichtenberg-Malmö night train D 318 "Niels Holgersson" from 24. September 2000. The daylight Inter-Regio will continue.

Private operator Georg Verkehrsorganisation of Frankfurt however seems to be interested in taking over the trains, running new connections from Berlin Zoologischer Garten via Berlin Ostbahnhof to Malmö 3 days a week. The company has run charter-trains for traveling agencies since 1958.

German Fahrgastverband IGEB finds the number of cancelled international trains to and from Berlin unacceptable:
Since 1990 the "Balt-Orient-Express" (Bukarest), "Pannonia-Express" and "Meridian" (Sofia) as well as the coaches for Stockholm and Hoek van Holland has been cancelled. In september 1995 the "Neptun" Berlin- Warnemünde-Copenhagen ended, the replacement via Rødby-Puttgarden ended in 1997. May 1998 the Night train "Metropol" via Prag to Wien and Budapest was cancelled, while "Spree-Alpen-Express" night train Innsbruck-Verona ran for the last time in April 1999. On 27. May 2000 the direct trains to Szcecin and the Eurocity to Villach-Zagreb ended.

On the other hand, trains for Paris, Bruxelles, Amsterdam, Wien-Budapest, Zürich and Poznan-Warszawa has been enhanced (10. August 2000, source Berliner Zeitung)..

HGK "class 66" testings: The Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) class 66 no. 9901 is currently being tested at Probstzella, hauling two coaches and DB 101 030-5. (5. July 2000, source Drehscheibe Forum).

On Friday 14th July CFL-leased Dispolok ME26-03 was despatched to Wasserbillig to collect HGK 9901 to tow it into Luxembourg. As there have been rumours for some time about CFL interest in Class 66s, it can be assumed it was for evaluation. By Monday there was no sign of it in Luxemburg so presume it had gone back.

The 9902 is since its arrivel in Europa stored in the workshop of Tilburg (NL), where it's modified to use in Germany and the Netherlands and fitted with the common safety-systems and a change of the cabine's drivertable to the right instead of the left.
Sadly there are normaly no opportuneties to make pictures in the workshop there, only from the platforms in the station of Tilburg and that sight is through fences (25. July 2000, sources Graham Belton and Roland Korving).

DB 103 withdrawals: DB 103 115 and 103 201 was withdrawn on 31.May 2000, while 103 109 and 103 155 was withdrawn at 01.July 2000. It shows that if a loco develops a reasonably serious problem it will be withdrawn – so don't just go by the overhaul dates. Current plans are that another ten locos will be taken out of use in August, simply because there is a surplus of the class (even with all the EXPO traffic). The unlucky ten are 103 108/123/129/140/175/191/196/208/229/238. After the EXPO has finished, a dramatic pruning of the class is expected.

On 1/7 103 101/102/103/107/111/113/116/131 were due to be transferred back to Frankfurt from Hamburg.

Class 103's still works the following trains to Padborg:
     IR 2184  Hildesheim          10.19 - 14.41 Padborg
     IR 2185  Padborg             15.13 - 20.40 Kassel Wilhelmshöhe
     IR 2182  Kassel Wilhelmshöhe 13.37 - 18.41 Padborg
     IR 2187  Padborg             19.13 - 01.04 Kassel Wilhelmshöhe
     IR 2180  Kassel Wilhelmshöhe 15.37 - 20.43 Padborg
     EN 483   Padborg             22.03 - 07.02 Nürnberg
     EN 482   Fulda               23.57 - 06.08 Padborg

Other locos work to Flensburg, so lots of class 103-action can still be found in and near Denmark. Current diagrams can be found on Phils Loco Page. (5. July 2000, source Tim Gradidge and Philip Wormald. Photo by Thorsten Büker added 11. September 2000)

Yet another one down: 103 207 was put on store on 20. September 2000 (21. September 2000, source Lok-Report).

NEG V170's in Haldensleben: On 24. June 2000 the following ex. DSB Nohabs where seen in Haldensleben BW:
V170 1127, V170 1131, V170 1143 and V170 1149. In the shed was V170 1147. Near the station was V170 1151+V170 1155 with a rake of ballast hoppers. The Flechtingen depot is apparently no longer in use. (27. June 2000, sources Ulf Häger and Stefan Kolpatzik in Drehscheibe Forum)

M 61 status: It seems unlikely that the three remaining M61-NoHABs (006,010,020) will stop their regular service in September because of lack of operable locomotives. The M6.,010 is in pretty good form, it's very strong and reliable, but there are some problems with the other's engines. More or less all three are in service around Tapolca, they haul mostly train 8806/8807 between Kaposvar and Szombathely and train 9705/9714 or/and 9713/9718 (9711/9718 from 24th of September 2000) between Tapolca and Szekesfehervar.
Rumours says that they'll remain in service also during the winter. (14. September 2000, source Akos Horvath)

MÁV Museum opens: The national railway preservation site at the former Eszaki roundhouse (Tatai ut shed) was opened on friday 14. July 2000 by the minster of transport, GM of MÁV and other dignitaries.

M62.001, M61.001 and M40.113 have been all repainted to their original livery (or very close) and are in operating condition. The M61 will stay at the museum and perform occasional work for MAV Nosztalgia, but the other two locos will return to their home bases and be used regularly. So is M40 113 now back at Bekescsaba and hauling passenger trains most days! It works only between Bekescsaba and Gyula. Usually it works train S7402, which is the 06.10 ex-Budapest.A trip on a scheduled train in mid-August with the green M40 is planned for little over ONE POUND plus regular ticket!

V63.001, the M63 previously stored at Szombethely, and the sole surviving Class 328 steam loco have also been moved to the museum, the V63 also in original blue/light blue livery, however, of these only the steam engine is operable. Many other pieces of equipment were present (25. July 2000, source Ferenc Joo).

MAV MDmot accident: Last Saturday a Turkish lorry blocked the tracks near Szeged-Rokus and MDmot 3029 ran into it. The Turkish driver fled the scene, loco driver is in a critical condition. The MDmot loco will be scrapped on the scene. This is the crossing where tram line 3 from Szeged crosses the railway line to Bekescsaba as well. The crossing was damaged and one tram was stranded at the outer end of the line for a day. You can find photos of the results of the accident here (5. July 2000, source Ferenc Joo).

More on CFL / Dispolok ME 26: CFL are to continue using their class 1800's for another 3-4 years before withdrawal, about the same time the Dispoloks go back. Dispoloks are now also passed to work on DB and SNCB metals (25. July 2000, source Graham Belton).

CFL Dispolok DE2650-04 was on Luxembourg depot 8. August 2000 (10. August 2000, source Graham Belton).

Dispolok works passenger train: On monday 3. july 2000 CFL train 3337 Luxembourg (12.13)- Troisvierges (13.14) was very pleasently done by CFL 26-09. It was as seen by the reaction from divers station personel & the locomotive-crew a kind of testrun or something. The trainset (loco+4 CFL-coaches) worked also back to Luxemburg as train 3313 (13.46). Sunday 2/7 saw both 26-09 and 26-05 working each a freighttrain to Wasserbillig. (5. July 2000, source Roland Korving).

Siemens Dispolok ME 26 leased for 3 years: 6 of the former NSB Di6 dieselelectrics, now owned by Siemens-Dispolok-pool has been leased by CFL for a 3-years period. The locomotives will be used for new freight activities in the Saar-Lor-Lux-area for crossborder traffic. The first 2 locomotives was taken into use on 17. May 2000. Two engines numbered ME26-02 and ME26-09 was spotted in Lux depot (in the roundhouse)on 18. May. In grey livery with wrap round yellow ends (extended at one end) they are adorned with CFL, Siemens and www.dispolok.com logos, and works dates of 04.00. (24. May 2000, sources Graham Belton, www.dispolok.com and CFL).

You'll find some photos at http://www.geocities.com/ottelejm/materiel/cflme26.html (25. May 2000).

The 6 Dispoloks are to work freight from Wasserbillig to Bettembourg. From September they will work to/from Ehrang replacing 181001 and 184003 (29. May 2000, source Graham Belton).

On 31 .May 2000 two more ME 26-locomotives arrived with CFL. The locos are ME 26 03 and ME 26 05 (22. June 2000, source Lok-Report).

On 29. June 2000, ME26-09 worked 11:27 Wasserbillig-Rodange forward from Luxembourg (at 12:27). According to the shunter it was a test, and the first working. Nothing at Rodange to take over so would assume it will do 14:05 at least as far as Lux; won't stick all day as the diagram goes to Longwy. As far as I am aware, still only the four loks have arrived in Lux. (30. June 2000, source Graham Belton)

Sleeper service extended/re-established: The night train on the Rauma line will continue to run another three weeks after October 1st, when it should have been replaced by NSBs new class BM93 Talbot Talent DMUs. The test runs with the BM93s have been successful, but technical approvals have suffered a delay in a norwegian rail bureaucracy congested with the Signatur tilt train problems and the other calamities of the year. The night train Oslo S-Åndalsnes will continue until Friday 20th October, and the final return run will leave Åndalsnes on Sunday 22nd.

Problems with the Signatur-trains has moved NSB to reestablish the sleeper service Oslo S-Kristiansand. Two sleeping coaches in each direction are set out/picked up by the Oslo-Stavanger night trains (705/706) - in the same fashion as in earlier years (26. September 2000, Andreas Westheimer).

NSB agrees with Adtranz: NSB and Adtranz have reached an agreement about the BM73 tilt EMUs (Signatur). Adtranz will replace axles on all units with axles according to UIC-standards. The job is expected to last until the end of 2001.

The problem with excessive wear on the brake blocks of BM71 (Gardermoen Airport Express) and the BM73 Signatur-trains is still unsolved. According to Aftenposten NSB accepted only two brake discs per axle - in order to save 1,2 tons of weight per train. The manufacturer recommended three discs per axle to keep brake wear on a reasonable level (26. September 2000, Andreas Westheimer).

NSB deadlines ADtranz: NSB has given ADtranz a two week deadline to produce an adequate concept on how to solve the various problems with the BM73 tilting EMUs, the Signatur trains. Otherwise NSB threatens to cancel the entire contract and return all the trains to the manufacturer. This also affects the on order intercity-version BM 73b.

The Signatur-scandal started on June 17th, when a train derailed because of a broken axle. During the four weeks the trains were retired from service and thoroughly looked over, cracks on axles was found on several other units as well. After the trains were put back on a limited schedule and with reduced top speed, a number of other defects have shown, the most serious being related to the tilt mechanism. Under a lot of pressure, ADtranz has admitted that the entire bogie design is inadequate and that the problem is not limited to wheels and axle durability.

While the prescribed inspections at frequent intervals have put a drastic and unforeseen increase to maintenance costs, the BM73 top speed is down to the velocity of the regular non-tilt expresses of earlier years. The tilt is considered not safe and/or functional and is now completely shut off on all units. In addition NSB have listed faults with ventilation in passenger areas, problems with the Scharffenberg coupler, traction motors, ATC, windshields, documentation and spare parts. The revised inspection program also disrupts the general traffic availability.

A complete redesign of the bogies will problably be necessary to make the trains function safely at the speeds specified in contract. At the moment the trains are with NSB on a preliminary take over (PTO) basis. If the trains should go back to Adtranz, NSB will in consequence claim a full compensation for all losses. Following lasts years Christmas peak traffic and the two first months of regular running, the Signatur-trains were up to a 45 per cent market share on travel between Oslo and Kristiansand. Since then, the Sørlandsbanen (Oslo-Stavanger) have suffered a 17 per cent decrease, all of which is claimed to be a result of the failing trains. (1. September 2000, source Andreas Westheimer from various NSB press releases. Photo by Andreas Westheimer added 11. September 2000).

On 11. September is was clear, that ADtranz will now change the axles of the BM73 "Signatur" and the BM73b "Agenda" trainsets, although they still don't think theres anything wrong with the construction. NSB still threathens to cancel the whole deal (14. September 2000, source Aftenposten).

Di3 for Kosovo?: When all the new "Talent"-DMU's BM 93 is in use, it is planned to withdraw the last remaining Di3-Nohabs from NSB. Norwegian Foreign Ministry is apparently planning for NSB to repair the locos as help for use on freight trains in Kosovo (1. September 2000, source NJK).

The locos going to Kosovo will be Di3.619, 626, 633, 641 and 643. They will have their ATC-equiptment removed. However, as the BM93 "Talent" hasn't been proved on norwegian track yet, the planned withdrawal of the Di3's will probably take a little longer (15. September 2000, source Postvogna and NJK).

NSB recruits new leader: In a board meeting on July 3rd, Arne Wam was appointed temporarily as new managing director of NSB, following his predecessor Osmund Ueland, who was removed from his position last friday. Wam goes to the top job following a 17 month long stint as manager of the NSB Mellomdistanse (NSB intercity division). Several other members of the NSB management have chosen to follow Uelands unwilling departure by resigning their positions in protest. The removal of Ueland has been heavily discussed, and he has received a lot of support and sympathy. The board meeting claimed that the current shaky condition of NSB, with crumbling duty rosters for engine drivers and cancelled trains as the latest crisis, was the reason for forcing Ueland to leave. Others claim that Ueland has done a tremendous job the last five years, and that he still is the most qualified person to fullfill the thorough modernisation process of the state owned railway company. NSB is still beridden with the followings of the head-on disaster at Åsta on January 4th, which killed 19 people. Several other unfortunate incidents this year has sunk the NSB user credibility to an all time low. (5. July, source Andreas Westheimer)

BM 73 prolonged withdrawal: This weekend it was known that the BM73 long distance EMUs will not return to service for at least two weeks. The manufacturer ADtranz has taken the full responsibility for the problems which were uncovered after the derailing incident on June 17th. The independent technical consultant Veritas is currently working on a report regarding necessary improvements and future use of the prestigious trains. (5. July, source Andreas Westheimer)

Class 66 for TGOJ: Now it's official: Two Swedish class 66 locos were officially handed over to TGOJ at GM London on Saturday 22nd. July 2000. Apparently they are in different liveries, and will be on the same boat as the next 13 Freightliner 66's. (25. July 2000, source Andrew Griffiths).

The latest group of class 66's arrived in Halifax 4. August 2000 to be shipped right away. Normally they arrive in UK after around 14 days. Freightliner 66511-66518 are being loaded togehter with TGOJ 714 (GM 20008212-1 7/00) and TGOJ 715 (GM 20008212-2 7/00). The TGOJ locos has a lime green livery with grey roof and frame, with black grilles etc., but has not been lettered (10. August 2000, sources Andrew Griffiths and Ian Pyatt).

TGOJ T66 714 & 715 arrived at Uddevalla harbour on 20. August 2000, from where they where hauled by Tågab T43 107 (in Great Northern livery) to Kristinehamn to be equipped with swedish ATC. Lots of photos and info can be found on Centralen by Peter Löf (30. August 2000)

TKAB Boden - Haparanda service: Swedish Tågkompaniet AB started the summer season passenger traffic on June 13th on the Boden - Haparanda line.The traffic is handled by TMX 1013 (ex DSB MX 1013), a heating car and two coaches, all leased from IBAB (The Inland Railway).

The first day the trip was free, and the train was supplemented by a B1-class coach and a panoramic car. When the train arrived at Haparanda, 148 passengers was on board. The passenger traffic on the Haparanda line was closed in 1992.

Train 14 11:35 Boden - Haparanda 14:27
Train 15 18:42 Haparanda - Boden 21:35
(25. July 2000, source Philip Wormald).

59103 derails at bridge: Hanson Class 59, 59103 derailed on the Whatley Quarry line on Tuesday 12. September 2000 on the exit of Great Elm tunnel and was propelled by her 4000 ton train as far as the river bridge, where it partly overturned. The driver managed to get himself out but did suffer broken ribs. 59005 was taken in by road as the local shunter wasn't available to rescue the wagons. It was rumoured that 59103 would be cut up on site, but it was pulled upright on 19. September. Photos can be found on www.bakerroad.freeserve.co.uk/59103_derailment.htm (26. September 2000, source GM-Gen).

Freightliner class 66's: Currently 10 Freightliner class 66's has been delivered, no's 66501-66510. On 14. July 2000, 66506 was named 'Crewe Regeneration', in conjunction with the official opening of the Crewe Regional Distribution Centre. The loco carries the Railtrack blue-and-yellow logo on the cabside. Other locos of the Railtrack pool is likely to receive the name-plates in due course. 66502/503/507-510 was also present at Basford on this day (none yet with Railtrack logo).

The final order of Freightliner locos is being numbered 66601-606 and not 66521-526, because they will be lower geared and probably restricted to 60mph. The idea is that faster acceleration will be more important than flat-out speed, such that a Class 6 load can be taken in a Class 4 path.

Freightliner are very happy with the 66s, and are keen to replace their remaining 47s at the earliest opportunity. However, this is unlikely to result in another order in the immediate future, which puts it beyond the closing date for the GM production line by the end of the year... The GM-engine equipped 57s have also been deemed successful, and totally capable of taking over the container traffic. At a third the price of a 66 there must be a possibility of seeing some more ordered, but the long delivery time (one a month against one 66 every 3.1 days) could well be a telling factor against them. Best guess is that the 47s will be replaced by 66/5s, and (assuming the 66/6 is successful) the current 66/5s for the Railtrack and HeavyHaul sectors will switch to container traffic. Thus the bulk of any future order will probably be 66/6s - the scale of which will depend among others on the new track access charges (25. July 2000, source Andrew Griffiths).

Last EWS class 66 delivered: The last locomotive of the EWS Class 66 arrived at Newport South Docks on 21. June 2000, when "MV Fairload" docked with EWS 66240-66250 and Freightliner 66506-66510. The locos has the Works Numbers 968702-240 to 968702-250 and 998145-1 to 998145-5.

This finals the delivery of a total of 250 English, Welsh & Scottish locomotives delivered in just over two years. The first of the Canadian-built locomotives was shipped to Immingham, Humberside in April 1998 for testing. Since August 1998 locomotives have progressively been delivered to the ABP Port of Newport, South Wales. (30. June 2000, sources GMGEN, Class 66 Archive, Class 66 by Paul Eccles and EWS).

Greek MLW/Alco to be rebuild: A-504 of the the huge 3600 hp MX636-series from Greek railways (OSE) was shipped 26. August 2000 from Athens on board ship "NORDANA SURVEYOR" heading for Houston port with final destination of Illinois for rebuildin gand upgrading in the USA. It is expected back after 4-6 months. More info on these locos can be found at Rolf Stumpf's Alco-pages (30. August 2000, source Philip Wormald).

Internationale Modelspoor Expositie in Netherlands: A large model railway exhibition will take place in 's-HERTOGENBOSCH, The Netherlands on 6-7-8 oktober 2000. Info and photos can be found on www.rail.nl (1. September 2000).

DSB ME from hobby trade: It's been known for a while, but I don't think I've had it on the Rail-O-Rama News: Hobby trade will release a HO-scale model of the DSB ME-loco in the spring of 2001. Planned are no.'s 1501, 1506, 1528 and 1530 in regular livery - and 1509 in the test-livery it had in the middle of the 1980's wíth a large number on the front. (21. September 2000, sources Hobbykælderen and Togcenteret).