December 2006 62-521 is loaded for transport to UK

Following a process taking quite a few weeks to arrange route, bridge and tunnel permits, the date to collect 62-521 from Mittal Steel Zenica in Bosnia & Herzegovina was finally set. Project 62 Chairman, Richard White, visited the steel works on Thursday 7th December 2006 hoping to see the final load process. However, a last minute hitch with the vehicle which was delayed in Romania for two days meant the loading had to be postponed until Monday 11th December. Richard was however able to photograph 62-521 as prepared for the crane lift onto the low loader. BBC Correspondent, Nicholas Walton, was able to follow up with a visit on 11th December to observe the actual loading.

The following photos were taken on the 7th and 11th December and include some of the other Class 62 locomotives on site at Mittal Steel Zenica.

Project 62 wishes to convey thanks to all staff at Mittal Steel Zenica for their assistance in supplying 62-521 in complete condition for rebuilding to become 30076, the 16th Southern/BR "USA Tank" Locomotive, and for their enthusiasm for the Disability Access Initiative project. Without their help, and that of the British Embassy in Sarajevo, it would not have been possible to get this project off the ground.

For further information and to help us with this ground breaking project to construct the world's first "all access" locomotive, please email us at project62@supanet.com for more detail of share ownership and making a donation.

General shot of 62-521 inside the engine shed

Outside the works with cranes attached

62-521 is complete having last seen service in 2004

62-382 in foreground is one of two operational locos

Front detail shows 25mm steel cable in place to lift

General view from the bunker end

Richard White (on right) with the Mittal Steel team

  Sister locomotive 62-382

Working hard with a train of wagons is 62-380

62-380 - right click on photo to save video clip (1MB)

62-521 is lifted. 62-382 is behind and 62-380 to right (photo N Walton)

62-521 is safely transferred to the low loader (photo N Walton)

After collection from Mittal Steel Zenica on 11th December, the transportation to the Mid Hants Railway (Watercress Line) is scheduled to take eight days with 62-521 arriving at Alresford on Tuesday 19th December. Heading north from Zenica in Bosnia & Herzegovina, the loader will cross into Croatia at Slavonski Brod, the same city where 62-521 was constructed at the Djuro Djakovic works in 1954.

The route will then go from Croatia into Slovenia at Bregana (north-west of Zagreb) then into Austria at Spielfeld. The exact route will be determined by escort to Germany and from there via Aachen to Rotterdam in Holland. The locomotive on its trailer will enter the UK by ferry at Purfleet, anticipated Monday 18th December then to Alresford for the 19th. The total distance will be approx 1,250 miles - probably the longest journey across Europe by a USA Tank Locomotive since 1946, and certainly since 30075 was transported, albeit in pieces as a "kit of parts", from Slovenia in 1990.

All photos are copyright of Project 62 unless otherwise credited