BIGGER AND BETTER THAN LAST YEAR!
MORE THAN 3000kms OF TRAVEL THROUGH UKRAINE
12 steam locos of 10 difference classes, including newly restored Russian P36 haulage to the Crimea, with comfortable "Dzherelo" hotel train Now 12 days, including New Year celebrations in Sevastapol and the Crimea
plus Ukraine Christmas Day (7 January) in Kiev
A FANTASTIC WAY TO SEE IN THE NEW YEAR!
PROVISIONAL ITINERARY
28.12.04
 Arrive Kiev Borispol Airport.
Short sightseeing tour of Kiev by bus before transfer to Kiev passenger station, where we will settle into our accommodation on our comfortable "Dzherelo" hotel train.
Dinner and drinks on the train as we get to know each other. Overnight transfer by standard haulage to Apostolovo.
29.12.04
 Breakfast on the train.
Visit to loco depot at Apostolovo for early risers. At approximately 08:00 our Russian P36 4-8-4 steam is attached to our train for our journey, with runpasts, Apostolovo -Snigirevka - Kherson, where we are stabled for two hours while the loco is coaled, watered and serviced.
We then proceed Kherson Vadim, with more runpasts.
The journey from Vadim Dzankoy will be non-stop steam, as it will be dark. We arrive at Dzankoy late evening and there will be night photos of the P36 on shed at Dzankoy. Overnight in Dzankoy on our stabled train.
30.12.04
 Breakfast on the train.
10:00 departure for Feodosiya with steam loco Er 0-10-0. Runpasts on the way. Sightseeing or loco photography at Feodosiya for two/three hours before returning to Dzankoy with our steam loco non-stop. Overnight transfer to Sevastopol with Er 0-10-0 plus diesel on rear for "insurance".
31.12.04
 Breakfast on train.
Morning arrival at Sevastopol.
Bus sightseeing tour of Sevastopol and docks.
Bus transfer to Balaklava, stopping at various points to photograph Er 0-10-0 steam loco on freight wagons along this line.
Note: Passenger train transfer on the line Karnishova-Balaklava is STRICTLY PROHIBITED FOR FOREIGNERS, but we are allowed to photograph the trains from the lineside on our bus travel!
On our return we begin New Year celebrations in Sevastopol and on the train, with the Ukraine Snow Queen and Santa Claus joining in with our regular entertainers in the Music Saloon, plus our usual firework display if allowed in this sensitive area.
We celebrate Ukraine New Year, European New Year and English New Year at hourly intervals. If we have American clients, we also celebrate USA New Year much later!
01.01.05
At approximately 02:00 we depart Sevastopol with standard haulage to Dzankoy and onwards to Kherson, where, at 08:00 (for those who can make it!), steam loco of FD 2-10-2 class is attached for our journey to Nikolaev and Kolosovka, with runpasts at various locations.
From Kolosovka we proceed with standard haulage Raukhovka - Mitaevo - Vapnyarka - Zmerinka - Grechany, where we are stabled overnight on the train.
02.01.05
Breakfast on the train before 08:00 departure for Goosyatin with steam loco of type SO 2-10-0. Runpasts on the way.
In the later afternoon we transfer with standard haulage to Chernovtsy, where we spend the night stabled on our train.
03.01.05
 Early morning optional visit to loco depot at Chernovtsy. Breakfast on train.
Here a SU 2-6-2 type loco is attached to take us to Kolomiya, with runpasts.
On arrival at Kolomiya we will transfer to a small blue tank loco 2137 0-6-0 T and two vintage cars for a short journey and runpasts. Night photography of steam locos on shed, where we may have SU, Em + Er, L+L 2-10-0s and 2137.
Overnight on train.
04.01.05
Breakfast on the train.
At 08:00 Em + Er 2-10-0 class steam locos are attached for our journey to Rakhov, high in the Carpathians, via Yaremcha.
This is a superbly scenic line with viaducts, bridges and tunnels, so we spend the whole day here with runpasts of our steam locos in the snow.
Our train is stabled in Rakhov for the night, from where we make the short trip to see the monument marking the geographical centre of Europe at Berlebash. On our return to Rakhov there will be time to explore this interesting mountain town.
 05.01.05
Breakfast on the train.
At 08:00 steam locos L+L 2-10-0 are attached to the front of our train (maybe with Em + Er 0-10-0s on the rear) for the descent to Delyatin, with plenty of runpasts on the way.
From Delyatin we proceed with standard haulage to Ivano Frankovsk, where we overnight on our train.
06.01.05
Breakfast on the train.
07:00 departure for Dolina and Vigoda with Yea (American) 2-10-0 steam haulage and runpasts.
On arrival in the forestry town of Vigoda, narrow gauge steam loco K-159 will be waiting for us for a trip along the line up into the forest.
How far we can go will depend on the depth of snow, but there will be interesting photo stops for runpasts. Visit to the rather dilapidated loco depot if time permits. Overnight transfer to Kiev, with standard haulage.
Farewell dinner to staff on the train.
07.01.05
 Breakfast on the train.
Arrival Kiev.
Transfer to our accommodation in Hotel Kozatsky on the Main Square. For those interested, there will be a guided tour around the centre and participation in the Christmas festivities going on.
Alternatively, it can be a free day for those who would like to "do their own thing".
Kiev is lively and interesting, and there are large underground shopping malls for those wanting to get out of the cold!
The main thoroughfare in Kiev is closed to traffic for Christmas, with the erection of plenty of tents for beer, vodka and other beverages to ensure that the celebrations remain lively! There are often impromptu firework displays and horse rides in the streets. It is an experience you will not forget. Overnight at the hotel.
08.01.05
Breakfast at the hotel.
Bus transfer to Borispol Airport for outward flights.
END OF TOUR
In case you decide to join this tour, please, contact our UK tour operator
Jim Colley
Managing Director East Europe Rail Tours Ltd
"Birchwood"
Shatterford, Nr Bewdley
Worcs. DY12 1TP United Kingdom
Telephone: +44(0)1299 861529
Fax: +44(0)1299 861058 e-mail info@easteuroperailtours.com
...OR... you can contact us directly dzherelo.spk@ua.fm
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