Project 62 - Return to Ljubljana 5th July 2006

July 2006 - Project 62 Returns to Ljubljana

Project 62 Chairman Richard White and wife Jan, having driven 830 miles from Southampton to Scheffau in the Tyrol, Austria for their 2006 summer holiday, did not want to waste the opportunity of the chance to drive to Ljubljana in neighbouring Slovenia to see our old friend Professor Mladen Bogic. Professor Bogic is the curator of the Slovenian National Railway Museum and assisted Project 62 with the purchase of 62-669 (later rebuilt as 30075) from Store Steel in 1990.

The journey to Ljubljana from Scheffau is quite spectacular, passing through the Hohe Tauern Alps (past Austria's highest mountain, the Gross Glockner at 3,797m or 12,530ft) and through many tunnels up to 10km long. In fact the road at the border with Slovenia near Villach dives under the Julian Alps through the Karawanken Tunnel and emerges into Slovenia near Bled to some marvellous scenery.

Arriving at the museum late morning, Richard and Jan were welcomed by Uros Filiplic, a colleague of Professor Bogic who is responsible for the operation of the live steam fleet at the museum. Uros has a long connection with Project 62 as it was he who conducted much of the local negotiation with the steel works at Store in relation to locating 62-669 as a possible locomotive to purchase in 1990.

Meeting Professor Bogic was a great event as, whilst both the Swanage Railway and Project 62 have corresponded since 1990 when 62.669/30075 was purchased from Store, this was the first occasion since then that members of the Group had been able to meet with him. Needless to say the day flew by with much talking and viewing of the museum exhibits. Two particular highlights were seeing the preparation of the German Borsig 1930 built, giant 2-8-2 tender locomotive number 06-018, for testing for a steam run on the main line the following weekend and also seeing 30075's Class 62 sister locomotive number 62-121.

Whilst looking at 06-018 we were introduced to the museum's consultant boiler advisor, Primoz Ozwald. Primoz has his own business as an authorised inspector of pressure vessels and assists the museum in preparing those locomotives which are certified to run onto the main line to which the museum is connected. Whilst 06-018 is approaching the end of her current "ticket" it is hoped that the locomotive will additionally be passed to run for the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Sudbahn (Vienna-) Ljubljana - Trieste railway on 27th July 2007.

The main museum building is a half round house with sixteen roads leading to a single turntable. Around half of the building houses locomotives on display whilst the remaining space is a workshop for servicing the engines and preparing those that are no longer operable, for static display. One real gem is the locomotive from Tito's "Blue Train" which is so large it was impossible to photograph within the building!

Outside the main building various locomotives and items of rolling stock are stored in the open as there simply isn't enough space to house everything under cover. Unfortunately, Djuro Djakovic built Class 62 number 62-121 falls into this category and will inevitably deteriorate as such over time. As money permits, Project 62 has offered to assist with future conservation of this locomotive as "Friends of 62-121" which will also help raise the profile of this engine internationally.

62-121 was built by Djuro Djakovic at Slavonski Brod in Croatia in 1957 as works number 628. She is complete and basically sound but there is no current plan or finance to bring her back into service. Photos below can be compared with similar of 30075 as 62-669 at Store in 1990 by following this link - LOCATING 62-669. Looking at 30075 now, it is possible to see what can be achieved with these fine engines - if you can help us to conserve 62-121 with a view to bringing her into service at the museum in Ljubljana please EMAIL US.

Within the museum there is also a "Traffic Officer's" (a term almost equivalent to "Station Master" but with more signal management responsibility) office, a vast amount of signalling equipment and an art gallery dedicated to the work of local artist Stane Kumar (1910-1997) who painted in many diverse styles from real life to impressionist and even caricature. In every case he conveyed not simply the content of his work but also the spirit of the setting or object under study. Of course much of his work was railway orientated, Ljubljana being a hub of activity with the Sud-Bahn running from Vienna to Trieste and also being the terminus of the Crown Prince Rudolf Railway, the station building of which is preserved and visible from the museum compound.

The Slovenian National Railway Museum comes under the ownership of Slovenian National Railways who provide the funding to maintain the items at the museum. Like all Heritage organisations, the museum has more historical artifacts than space to house them and also too little money to display all as everyone would wish. With particular reference to 62-121 we have an opportunity to repay the assistance given to us in 1990 to enable us to acquire 30075 by at least helping to conserve the locomotive until funds are available to conduct a full overhaul. By doing such, we can help ensure that a routine overhaul, rather than an expensive, perhaps impossible "Barry Wreck" style restoration is conducted at some future date.

Thanks are extended to Professor Mladen Bogic and all staff at the Slovenian National Railway Museum in Ljubljana for the kind hospitality extended to Jan and Richard White and for the continuing excellent relationship Project 62 continues to enjoy with our friends in Ljubljana.