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Thursday 31 May 2012

Steam Locomotives in Cuba


Cuban Steam Locomotives

at
Marcelo Salado, Remedios, Cuba
My visit to Remedios, Cuba.

By 
Gyan C. A. Fernando
Baldwin locomotive roundel

The Villa Clara Province of Cuba is better known for Che Guevara and his revolutionary activities. A little known tourist attraction here is the Museo de Agroindustria Azucarero Marcelo Salado (Museo del Vapor)

Monday 28 May 2012

Brush Electrical Machines of Loughborough


Brush Electrical Machines of Loughborough

Brush Electrical Machines of Loughborough

Brush or Brush Bagnall were the builders of the first mainline diesel electric locomotives of the Ceylon Government Railway, the Class M1 locomotives. 

Friday 25 May 2012

The Stranded Locomotive, Uyuni


 
The Stranded Locomotive, Uyuni, Bolivia

by
Gyan C. A. Fernando


Whilst it looks an odd sight, if you understand the Bolivian mentality well enough it is not a strange sight at all!
On the bleak Bolivian Altiplano, at an elevation of  3700 m (12,139 ft), is the town of Uyuni. As far as Railway enthusiasts go, Uyuni is famous for the “Train Cemetery”.

Thursday 24 May 2012

The Train Cemetery

The Train Cemetery 

Resposar en Paz

Uyuni Railway Station, Bolivia

by
Gyan C. A. Fernando

On the Bolivian Altiplano, at an elevation of 3700 m (12,139 ft) is the town of Uyuni, an isolated community. It is however, a major railway hub.

Thursday 10 May 2012

Trans-Siberian Part Six: Ulanbaator and Beyond

A Trans-Siberian-Mongolian Journey

A long, long Railway Journey

Part Six: Ulaanbaatar and beyond 


by
Gyan C. A. Fernando


Ulaanbaatar
Massive statue of Genghis Khan
Massive statue of Genghis Khan


It is the 16th of August and we are now in Ulaanbaatar, the Capital of Mongolia. 

Trans-Siberian Part Five: On the Trans-Mongolian

A Trans-Siberian-Mongolian Journey

A long, long Railway Journey

Part Five: Trans-Mongolian
Logo on Trans-Mongolian
Logo on Trans-Mongolian

By
Gyan C. A. Fernando

After a sad farewell to Gala I get on the Trans-Mongolian. I suppose I have no choice because my visa runs out in 24hrs!
 All of us are in good spirits one way or the other.
I am to share a compartment with Austen and his wife Marilyn, and Maggie. I suppose it is bad luck on their part to draw me as their flat-mate!

Tuesday 8 May 2012

Trans-Siberian Part Four: Irkutsk and Baikal

A Trans-Siberian-Mongolian Journey

A long, long Railway Journey

Part Four: Irkutsk and Baikal

By
Gyan C. A. Fernando

We have arrived in Irkutsk after four nights on the train. It is 0700hrs exactly and five hours ahead of Moscow time. 
We are met by the lovely Gala our local guide.
Irkutsk Railway Station is rather ornate and impressive.

Trans-Siberian Part Three: Arrive at Irkutsk


A Trans-Siberian-Mongolian Journey

A long, long Railway Journey


Part Three: Beyond Novosibirsk

By
Gyan C. A. Fernando

Beyond Novosibirsk
Trans Siberian: Novosibirsk Station
Novosibirsk Station

Saturday 5 May 2012

Trans-Siberian Part Two


A Trans-Siberian-Mongolian Journey

A long, long Railway Journey


Part Two

By
Gyan C. A. Fernando

Still On The Road

The train travels rather smoothly and even at stops there is very little awkward movement. Helped by the Vodka, sleep is therefore easy.

Thursday 3 May 2012

A Trans-Siberian-Mongolian Journey Part 1

A Trans-Siberian-Mongolian Journey

A long, long Railway Journey
Trans-Siberian logo on side of carriage

Part One
 
By
Gyan C. A. Fernando

Introduction

The Trans-Siberian Railway is considered the longest railway in the world. It was built between 1891 and 1916 to connect Moscow with the Far-Eastern city of Vladivostok. There are branch lines to China through Mongolia and Manchuria, with a service continuing to North Korea. All are functional railways serving the local population but there is some sort of a romance associated with it.