Rhodope Mountain Railway - Driver’s Eye View - Yakoruda to Avramovo (Bulgaria)

Our train gained a diesel pilot loco for the steep climb to the summit at Avramovo, so the camera was moved to the outside handrail of the diesel. The riding qualities of this diesel must have been excellent as the resulting video matched the best I have achieved on smooth running electric multiple units (EMU’s). I decided to upload this as a bonus uncut ‘Driver’s Eye’ video, I hope you enjoy the climb to the summit.

[@luckyotter623]

Thank you from the mountains of western North Carolina, an area that looks very similar to this part of Bulgaria. What an exciting ride and a stunning country!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm pleased you enjoyed it, you are lucky to live in such beautiful part of the world. Bulgaria is a fascinating country, rich in history, beautiful to look at and in many ways, trapped in a time warp that allows visitors to see how things used to be back in the fifties and sixties before modernization and progress condemned so many similar railways to history in many parts of the world.

[@CustoAustria]

I WAS WATCHING THE NATURE! ---"I'M RESTED!" I ENJOY IT! THANKS TO THE AUTHOR!!!! SUPER !!!! 5++++++

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@debbiehernandez5325]

@@Timsvideochannel1 very relaxing. I love trains!! Thanks

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@debbiehernandez5325 Hi Debbie, I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride, it is one of the most memorable railways I've travelled on, so beautiful.

[@deborahm.harless2143]

wow what a cool job. Bulgaria Russia. Thank You, I love trains I grew up in San Francisco but because of videography I can appreciate this video from so far away. Peace.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, since the iron curtain came down travelling around the former communist countries has been a real revelation, most of them are beautiful, the railways may not be modern, but they still run, providing a valuable service. In my old history lessons they were portrayed as grey places with people queuing to buy basic necessities such as bread, in big cities there may have been elements of truth, but from what I've seen and heard, life wasn't so bad. You Tube has opened a whole new way of sharing, I watch it far more on YT than I watch television. Take care. Tim.

[@jimmccarthyTCP]

Tim, I and some friends of mine really appreciate you videos.Works of high art, building on the beauty of the nature and the beauty of the railways running through it and also he best drivers camera work there is! Thanks so much! In our case it actually provides the only sure relief from horribleuncurable, non-medicable iliniss called mdds. long story, look up if you like, But when I watch your trains, my incurable illness become an encouraqgement to enjoy beauty and "return to motion (tech term for relief of symptoms when in a ride)" relief from the mdds. It's all we got, but with you, its enough! Thanks.,

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, your comment is really appreciated, I love to travel and You Tube is a rewarding way to share some of my adventures. I was not aware of mdds, so I looked it up and discovered mdds was short for "Mal de debarquement syndrome". My wife tells me my videos are a cure for insomnia as she tends to fall asleep when I play one on TV. From your comment I understand that watching the videos helps you to "return to motion" thus providing relief from mdds. Many people who watch my videos tell me that for various reasons they no longer find it easy to get about and visit places, so they watch You Tube as it enables them continue enjoying the wonderful world we live in. I did not really know what to expect when I started this channel, generally the feed back has been very rewarding, ranging from people re-living holiday memories, getting ideas for places to visit and staying in touch with the real life when ill health makes it difficult to get about. Thanks again for taking time to comment and I hope research will discover ways to help people combat the symptoms of mdds ... Tim.

[@whitethorn1969]

For me this one is extra special for the 'clickety-clack' sound; just wonderful. Thank you Tim!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I was lucky with this one, the camera was mounted on the hand rail at the front of the locomotive from where it picked up the sound of the train running along the track.

[@whitethorn1969]

Timsvideochannel1 : great job, it really is a brilliant video! It's hard to beat that sound, it's like the ticking of an old clock. Thanks again!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I really appreciate your comment.

[@joaquincr7689]

Muy bonito viajar en este tren desde Valencia España

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hola desde Inglaterra, me complace que hayas disfrutado del video.🙂

[@user-up6jr1jz1o]

Классно!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Спасибо, я рад, что вам понравилось.

[@EricStrijbos]

I love cabride videos uncut (except for long tunnel footage, perhaps), it's far more like the real experience. So thanks a lot for sharing this beautiful trip!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+Eric Strijbos (EricForFriends) Hi thanks for commenting, here are a couple of links to cab rides I have recently uploaded covering the Lötschberg railway in Switzerland ..... kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaGpYquOeqdpkKc kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJXGY3-sZph2nc0

[@EricStrijbos]

+Timsvideochannel1 Thank you very much, Tim, that one is a real treat as well!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+Eric Strijbos (EricForFriends) Hi, your comment is appreciated, here is a selection of cab rides some of which you have watched, but hopefully some will be new to you - kzbin.info/aero/PLPdTWbkwx85p4p1QRiDtEpDCfhBGHzCyc

[@anolelbasanel3170]

Eric Strijbos Ledio rruda

[@dianeadams9953]

I have now watched all of your videos and u have no idea how much joy you have brought me!!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, you've made my day .... Tim.

[@huskytail]

Beautiful video. I need to do that line one more time at least. You brought back so many memories

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed the video. I would also like to ride the railway again some day, it's truly unique.

[@SKEptic-mg2dd]

Another great look at a beautiful country. Thanks from Texas!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Wendell, I'm glad you enjoyed this video. I have just returned home to England after spending two wonderful weeks filming the railways of Colorado, I really enjoyed visiting the USA and look forward to visiting again in.

[@SKEptic-mg2dd]

Great! Looking forward to your Colorado videos. Cripple Creek had some interesting little locomotives, singles and doubles.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm working on the first of the videos now, should be ready some time this coming weekend.

[@alisonlee3314]

Thank you for leaving the original sounds, and for not adding music 😊

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Alison, I try to leave the sound in where ever possible.

[@rajkokovacevic9769]

Alison Lee

[@muzzaffarkhan8531]

.p

[@georgechin1145]

@@Timsvideochannel1 🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@georgechin1145 😊👌👍

[@melkiorwiseman5234]

I really love these Driver's Eye View videos. There's something soothing about watching those rails, and then it becomes interesting when I see the line branch off to somewhere else. I was wondering why the steam engine would need a diesel pilot engine, but then I thought about how steam works and I realised it was because of the lower air pressure at high altitudes. Because of the lower outside air pressure, the boiler can't maintain as much pressure without causing the safety valves to "pop" which in turn means reduced power. I guess in the days of steam, they just had to put up with it (or build higher-pressure boilers, which would have been risky).

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cheers, I'm glad you enjoy these videos. Steam engines cope better with altitude than diesel locomotives, as was the case when early diesel locomotives were introduced in the Andes. Modern turbo charged diesels don't suffer too much at altitude. The Qinghai-Tibet railway (China) is the highest railway in the world and the last Chinese State railway to use the massive QJ class steam locomotives, recently replaced by modern diesel locomotives. The Rhodope Mountains are not high enough to create problems with a lack of oxygen in the air; the diesel locomotive was simply an insurance policy. For most of the journey the diesel locomotive ran either in front or behind our train except for parts of this section where the line climbed steeply to the summit, the railway management required the diesel to be coupled for the steepest section.

[@francksol]

Bulgaria beautiful country.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+francksol The Rila mountains are beautiful in Summer and in Winter Bansko is a great place for winter sports.

[@tramwayjohn]

Well done and interesting. I always enjoy 'drivers eye view' videos.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, like yourself I too enjoy watching "drivers eye view" videos.

[@Coolkeys2009]

Beautiful country, lovely video thanks for posting.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Coolkeys2009 Thank you.

[@gallifreyantauri]

Absolutely wonderful video! What I really like is that you don't put any "music" or other sound over the natural sounds. When I view this wide screen it's like I'm in the cab with the engineer. I'm going to forward this link to my brother who's an avid rail fan. Thanks again for the video and keep doing this! It's the only way i can get to "experience" other parts of this beautiful planet.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I try to leave the original sound where ever possible. I hope your brother likes it as well.

[@gracenauen9828]

ANK H z

[@joseolmos1272]

muy hermoso un saludo de la ligua chile

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hola, espero que te mantengas bien en Chile y me alegra que hayas disfrutado del video. Mis mejores deseos de Inglaterra.

[@unicorn47628]

Good video, Tim. Here the forest is in good condition - when I compare it with the HSB/Brockenbahn - omg.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello, I'm glad you enjoyed this video and it is nice to see the forest looking good, the beetles have caused so much damage to the trees around the Brocken railway, I hope the area recovers.

[@marcosantonio1006]

Mais uma bela aventura. Que vontade de viajar e conhecer tudo de bom que a vida nos dá.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Sei que tenho sorte de viajar, o mundo é um lugar fascinante e maravilhoso. I realize I am lucky to travel, the world is a fascinating and wonderful place.

[@marcosantonio1006]

@@Timsvideochannel1 Continue assim, tendo sorte para postar belas imagem dá Europa. Boa sorte.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@marcosantonio1006 Obrigado, é bom saber que você gosta desses vídeos.

[@EmilZhupov]

Thanks for the wonderful experience!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+Emil Jupov Thank you, your comment is appreciated.

[@user-xn4ot9qg5l]

Congratulations on the video and the excursion. Greetings from Bulgaria.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi from England, the Rhodope Mountain railway passes through wonderful scenery, I look forward to returning one day.

[@vesselalytle7525]

This was so beautiful. It is like a stolen scene from a Studio Ghibli film. I want to move to Bulgaria.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Vessela Lytle WOW a Studio Ghibli film - Google to my rescue - found this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5LCo4R8n5edea8 - now I am a Studio Ghible fan. This part of Bulgaria is beautiful.

[@dorothymiller2650]

It’s so peaceful, beautiful and relaxing

[@robertwesterman922]

Yes..., quite Beautiful! ...agreeing with those who came, before; no music.... That type which losses its appeal, charmingly fast.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride.

[@apxpandy4965]

Wow, that's gotta be one of the smoothest rides ever! Love the sound, it sounds 'competent' - like a sports car! Thanks!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

These little diesel locomotives are surprisingly smooth riding and "competent" is probably the best way to describe them.

[@ventsi002]

Henschel locos,made in the 1960s in western Germany.

[@simonemuginski1869]

Lindas paisagens😍obrigada pelo vídeo

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Muito obrigado, estou satisfeito por ter gostado do passeio.

[@mikeytobago]

very beautiful mountains

[@roelofluinge3208]

Tim this video is wunderfull, thank you for watching it

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Roelof Luinge Thank you.

[@1ok4u]

Thanks for posting this. I enjoyed the video, beautiful scenery

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+Bill Gauntlett Cheers Bill.

[@joaoguimaraesfilho697]

Muuuito bacana!!!!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Obrigado, estou feliz que tenha gostado do passeio.

[@franceselainethurston1606]

Another great ride.

[@Kriszta060]

Great video. Thanks for the uploading

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@slycat1939]

Awesome video thanks for sharing. safe travels ahead. God bless.

[@milankanka5329]

Veľmi prekrasne natočené video 😉😉😉😉. Pochvala a palec hore 😉😉😉😉😉. Super senzačné 😉😉😉😉.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Ďakujem, som rád, že sa vám to páčilo.

[@6or1]

So, was this the scenic route™ to grandmothers house? Nice...

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride 😊

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

Good one..... most enjoyable... Thank you for posting..

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@rositsadoneva4724]

Precious!!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@juanlope9423]

Excelente

[@colorado2836522]

Fantastic !!!.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+colorado2836522 Cheers.

[@rebaqubac]

Eine sehr schöne Fahrt.Danke!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank-you.

[@daverobinson6184]

Thank you for a very nice video

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@sheikmohideen8992]

Awesome

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride.

[@sheikmohideen8992]

@@Timsvideochannel1 yes With natural sounds

[@STEVEHARLEY1956]

Excellent video Tim....it indeed was a very smooth ride......Cheers......Steve.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Steve, I had trouble with the video taken from the various steam engines, I didn't expect them to be so rough riding. Diesels are usually difficult because of the vibration from the engine, but this one just purred along with hardly any movement .... Bye for now .... Tim.

[@xozyje]

tres bonne vidéo - beau voyage merci

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Merci, je suis heureux que vous ayez apprécié la vidéo.

[@johnnyyuma8219]

EXCELLENT video ,,love the original sound ,,but I kept getting a feeling like I should be more in the centre of the rails.LOL

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. The camera was offset because I only had a short time to clamp it to the hand rail on the front of the locomotive and I couldn't reach the middle.

[@rhondahayes8924]

Beautiful country love it!!!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

It's a nice place, so unspoiled.

[@paulmurray8766]

awesome vid once again thank you for this brill posting i realy enjoyed stunning sceanery

[@muhametkondi6966]

beautiful Video , congratulations

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you.

[@AvinashReports]

Fantastic Scenes

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you.

[@MrDOUG575]

wonderful,,,,,,,greetings from trinidad and tobago

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm glad you liked it, best wishes from England.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Very well captured mate

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+SMILEVIDEOTRAINS Cheers Keith, I've enjoyed watching your Christmas videos and the "Wong Kei" Chinese restaurant. Happy New Year to you and June.

[@RailDrone]

Super!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank-you.

[@thatshowtoroll]

Avramovo is the highest station on the Balkans! Cheers!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+Mr. Dimitrov Thanks .... Tim.

[@krisjustin1380]

I really love this video! At the moment, this is the only way I can experience a train journey through the countryside and I truly appreciate this upload. I think anyone would be happy with the way this one turned out! How did you get to be in the cabin?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Kris Justin Hi Kris, thank you for your comment. The camera was not in the cabin, it was clamped to the handrail at the front of the locomotive.

[@TRAVELS-VIDEO]

SUPER!!!!!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it 😊.

[@719599]

Poderosos motores, gracias por tan emocionante y bello video. En México "mentes criminales" desaparecieron casi por completo este importante medio de transporte.

[@TwoonyHorned]

Beautiful. Looks like the driver is translated to the left.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

The driver didn't know too much about it. I attached the camera to a part of the outside handrail I could reach and hoped I would be able to retrieve it later in the day.

[@malin0338]

I am bulgarian and I love Bulgaria

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I really enjoyed visiting Bulgaria, the Rila Mountains are beautiful and the people were friendly.

[@bazzinbulgaria4826]

I am Australian and I love Bulgaria...I've lived here for almost 12 years now.

[@jagafoto]

Veoma lep video! Hvala! Pozdrav iz Srbije :)

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+jagafoto Thank you for your kind comment, I must visit Serbia again. Best wishes from England :)

[@yogiaol]

My beautifull country!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

You are lucky to live in such a beautiful place.

[@yogiaol]

I lived in my country to 2009. And I traveled with this train on this route as child in 1984. Since 2009 I living in Germany.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

A ride in 1984 must have been interesting, as there were still freight trains, sadly they don't run anymore.

[@yogiaol]

In my memories I think the train seems in 1984 not much different als today. This vagons were in 1984. 3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdR1Jrs_lpg/Va_rPreatuI/AAAAAAAATV0/g031bvIy8rY/s1600/bpb150705380.jpg

[@HughMartell]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing! Hugh In Vancouver, Canada.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hugh Martell Hi Hugh, thanks for commenting, it is appreciated ... Tim.

[@dreamofmirrors]

Greetings from Romania!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I must visit Romania, best wishes from England.

[@DanielNachevBACKUPtv]

Една единствена забележка: Следващия път поставете камерата в центъра над релсите, че през цялото време имах чувството, че се движа по канавките и ще изпадна по завоите :) Иначе, безспорна красота! Браво за отделеното време!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Благодаря ви, аз съм доволен ви хареса видеото. Следващия път ще се опитам да сложа камерата в центъра.

[@robertorodriguez-ry3sz]

My Passion are the trains .

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Looking out of a train window at different countries is my favourite past time :-)

[@3rdaxis609]

paradise

[@Timsvideochannel1]

It was a wonderful experience.

[@JasonMasters]

I really like these narrow gauge railways. I notice that the track seems to continue on further. Does the line continue or is the extra track just for the engines to swap ends?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Jason, this video covers a short part of the route. I think you will find this article interesting - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septemvri%E2%80%93Dobrinishte_narrow-gauge_line

[@pillichadrashekar4432]

Super

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you.

[@colliecandle]

An excellent video Tim ( as usual ) I had no idea Bulgaria was such a beautiful country - it certainly isn't spoiled with over population by the looks of it ! The ride was smooth and that diesel sounded sweet - looks like they keep the track in good order too even with the vegetation in the formation. I hope you enjoyed your travels as much as I enjoyed watching them ! I don't know why you became unsubscribed on my Y/T, but I have remedied that now. If you ever get the chance, see if you can get over to Japan - you will be in the most railway oriented nation on planet earth there ! I wouldn't recommend Tokyo (unless you like huge cities) but I have a feeling you tend to like the more scenic rural railways, in which case you should try the Kisuki line ( Hiroshima prefecture) - there are some fantastic Japanese rail fan videos on this and many other lines. Anyway, a big thank you for sharing your great videos - they are very much appreciated. Happy travels !

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, your comment is appreciated. Bulgaria was a very pleasant experience, some of the villages are idyllic and totally unspoiled, with a relaxed feeling, I imagine existed in the past, when things weren't so rushed. There were a lot of abandoned houses, maybe the younger generation has gone in search of work in the cities or other European countries. My daughter traveled around Japan, visiting most of the tourist sights and a good number of lesser known places. She was left with a very good impression of the railways, as she used trains for most of her journeys. It would be nice to get there one day, as I too have watch some of the Japanese rail fan videos, I love the way the trains just keep running through snow storms that would bring Britain's railways to a grinding halt. Thanks again for taking time to comment ... Tim.

[@timb393]

thanks a lot for sharing this video but beautiful view from tjb p.s lot of works needs to be done.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, it is remarkable that this little railway has survived to the present day, long may it continue, so that future generations can ride this delightful line.

[@ArthurBaker]

thanks much.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@arbertstanley]

very nice

[@Timsvideochannel1]

arbert stanley Thank-you.

[@cvetankajohansen4766]

cargo train I presume ... what were you hauling and how long a composition of carts were you pulling ?

[@milicnagy6495]

I like this video. If I have chance to see is, I will go there...

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, if you do get the chance to visit this railway, I am sure will be a rewarding experience.

[@user-ez8gc4rm1f]

nice!!!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Лазар Малинов Thank you.

[@richardkonrad5717]

2 ft 5 15⁄16 in Gauge! Just a bit wider than the celebrated but defunct narrow-gauge trains of my home state of Maine, USA! Is there any chance of seeing what the locomotives and rolling stock of this captivating little Bulgarian railway look like?

[@richardkonrad5717]

Right after posting that, I found your video "Rhodope Mountain Railway, Part 1 - forward facing and on train cameras"... WOW!! Much thanks!

[@jimcolleran1804]

I have added this video to the playlist 'long cab rides'. I have reviewed hundreds of cab ride videos and added the ones I think are the best.

[@pega17pl]

+Jim Colleran Your playlist is bookmarked. Thanks for hint. ;-)

[@carolsutton7828]

this is very nice and peaceful and I love the original sounds. music would have messed this up badly.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Carol, I'm pleased you enjoyed it. I try to keep the original sound wherever possible.

[@joselitoeliaspereira2853]

Gostei muito da viagem lugar muito bonito

[@Timsvideochannel1]

As Montanhas Rhodope na Bulgária são lindas, estou feliz que você tenha gostado do passeio.

[@alanratcliffe7714]

Brilliant video, beautiful scenery, did you sped up the camera in places or was it actually going that fast

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I am glad you enjoyed it. This is all in real time.

[@johntyjp]

Hi Tim insomnia John here . A very pretty cab ride apart from the very screechy engine noise, I had to mute some of it!! I think this could be a millionaires garden railway somewhere and not Bulgaria at all, the figures don't move except at the station ending!!!!??? What a nerve!!! J P.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+John Patman Hi John, this is a most unusual line, whilst I agree it does look a bit like a garden railway, it is also a very real line, with regular passengers trains, although the freight has ceased now. I hope the tourist potential of this line is realized, because it will be difficult for it to survive against increasing road competition.

[@fonoro]

,Mила Родино ,ти си земен рай ,твойта хубост, твойта прелест .ах, те нямат край

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+fonoro Това , наред с другото красиво място .

[@monikaencheva8490]

So interesting i went to velingrad not that far to avramovo is long

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm glad found the ride interesting. I really enjoyed riding the Rhodope Mountain Railway and walking in the Pirin Mountains.

[@donpollard9460]

Hi, Tim! What are the little white numbered signs/markers along the left side of the track? Tenths of a kilometre?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Don, I can only guess they are distance markers to the next station, I couldn't find anything on the internet, although I did enjoy reading this description of the line - www.andrewgrantham.co.uk/tag/bulgaria/

[@Cydonius1]

is the camera hanging out of the left side window? it's weird seeing the tracks so far to one side

[@Cydonius1]

lol I just saw the description !

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@Cydonius1 Hi, the driver's were not too sure about allowing the camera inside the cab, but they were OK with me hanging on the outside, the only place I could fix it in the time available was to the hand rail on the front of the loco. Being a wide angle camera on a narrow gauge loco, it really exaggerates the offset.

[@wocheiron9632]

Is there an explanation you know of why the train comes tot a dead stop naow and then, without any visable reason for it?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

The camera was attached to the diesel locomotive that was assisting our steam hauled train up the steepest hills. It was uncoupled and ran in front so that people travelling on the train could film the steam train running past without the diesel. The diesel was then attached again for the rest of the climb to the summit. This is why it appears to stop for no reason.

[@wocheiron9632]

That makes sense, thanks a lot for your explanation!

[@neilforbes416]

Hi, Tim. Correct me if I'm wrong but is that a narrow-gauge line?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi Neil, yes this a narrow gauge line (760 mm). For more information, please click on this link - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septemvri%E2%80%93Dobrinishte_narrow-gauge_line

[@neilforbes416]

Hi, Tim. Thought it might've been! If the locos and carriages were half to one-third size, it could qualify as "light rail".

[@gardnersmith3580]

Nice going! It might be nice to have some elevation data along the way. It's like flying without an altimeter. Yakoruda elevation is 2,913 feet. Avramovo is 4,157 feet for a gain of 1,244 feet. Maximum grade is 3.2 percent. Several stops along the way. Was that to let the steam engine catch her breath?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, the elevation data was interesting, I didn't realize the train gained so much height.The stops were to allow the assisting diesel locomotive to couple and uncouple so that photo run pasts did not include the diesel locomotive.

[@gardnersmith3580]

Thanks. I did not realize they uncoupled the diesel. You can occasionally hear the steam whistle and the diesel responds.

[@57629589]

How wide is this track? The perspective seems really off as far as width.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, the gauge is 760 mm. The camera was attached to a grab handle at the front of the loco. Time was not on my side, so I just fixed it onto something I could reach, I am not always sure I will be able to retrieve it at the end of the day. On this occasion the diesel waited long enough for me to get the camera back.

[@nanba25]

What gauge is it ? 60 cm ? astonishing stability !

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, the gauge is 760 mm. The diesel loco on which the camera was mounted was remarkably stable.

[@user-xm4ww7ke1n]

How did they allow you to the loco and did you pay a ticket?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+Мартин Войков Hi, I was travelling on a specially chartered train with a group of enthusiasts from the UK. I was not allowed to travel in the cab of the loco, but with special permission I was allowed to attach a small camera to the outside hand rail at the front of the loco.

[@dalehedrick4530]

Ty

[@Timsvideochannel1]

:-)

[@kirkeada9633]

Hello , Where can we get on this train ? thanks

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, this railway is in Bulgaria. Please use this link for more information about it - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septemvri%E2%80%93Dobrinishte_narrow-gauge_line

[@jsnelleman]

I know a lot of trackside signs, but what are the ones on the left that start from 20 to 0 and repeat?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I noticed those signs as well, initially I thought they indicated the distance to the nearest station, but when I studied them, that does not appear to be the case, maybe they indicate the distance to the nearest telephone? If anyone knows the answer, we would like to hear from them.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I think I have worked it out. They are kilometre from Sofia markers and the 9 to 2 markers are 100 metre markers between the kilometre posts - See 4:25 = 81 - 6:49 = 82 - 6:49 = 83 - 23:39 = 75 This would be an excellent method to help track workers etc to be able to report the position of any faults on the line accurately.

[@bestofsceniccabrides8081]

@@Timsvideochannel1 Tim, you are right and you are not: These are obviously hectometer signs. They allow an exact localization of any point on the route for drivers, maintenance and operating personnel as well as police and rescue. The Rhodope Railway runs from Septemvri (km 0) to Dobrinište (km 125). The video shows the section from Jakoruda (km 86) to Avramovo (km 69). BTW I have added this video to the playlist 'Best of Scenic Cab Rides - Rest of Europe'. which contains cab ride videos I think are the best.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@bestofsceniccabrides8081 Hi, thank you for clarifying the marker posts, I am often asked questions I don't know the answer to, most times Google helps out, but on this occasion I couldn't find the information I was looking for. Thanks for adding this video to your play list. Cheers. Tim.

[@jackkreighbaum783]

I would have appreciated a look at the consist and the inside of the cab.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+Jack Kreighbaum Hi Jack, the train can be seen at the end of the video and the camera was attached to a grab rail on the outside of the loco, so I never really got to see the inside of the cab, but I appreciate your comment and it is something I will bear in mind for future videos.

[@lutfitjahjadi2766]

WOOOW! What is the name of this 760mm gauge?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+lutfi tjahjadi I didn't know, so I looked it up and discovered this article .... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnian_gauge .... now I know what Bosnian gauge is, although this line "The Rhodope Mountain Railway" is in Bulgaria.

[@carmium]

Is this metre gauge?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+carmium Hi, the gauged used on this line is 760 mm.

[@lmgtech]

+Timsvideochannel1 speed?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+lmgtech The trains were not very fast, the following link indicates the operating speed is between 30 - 50 kph en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septemvri-Dobrinishte_narrow_gauge_line

[@Aviatorspot]

Awesome cab view by train! What cam?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+Aviatorspot Hi, I'm pleased you enjoyed the video, the camera used was an old GoPro Hero 2, as it is easier to use and more reliable than my Hero 3 Black Edition. I have recently purchased an entry level GoPro Herocam to replace my Hero 2. The Herocam is excellent value, easy to use and the picture quality matches the best cameras in the range, if you don't need the remote functions this is the camera I would recommend.

[@Aviatorspot]

Oh I see. I have Sony Action Cam HDR-AS15K. The quality is amazingly sharp and colourful video.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

+Aviatorspot That's interesting, I have used Sony Hanycams for many years now as they are very reliable and easy to use with good picture quality. GoPro cameras have helped revolutionize the places a camera can be used (I would not want to place my Handycam on the front of a train), but they have a weakness I have not found an answer to, under some conditions they suffer badly from a jelly effect. For this reason I am likely to buy a Sony Action Cam to see if it preforms better than a GoPro in situations where it might be subject to a little vibration, such as fixed to the inside of a diesel loco windscreen when it is accelerating. Have you used your camera in a situation where there is some vibration, if so , how did it preform?

[@stonecoldfan3167]

How is the camera sticking out so far and objects not hitting it?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I had to fix the camera quickly to whatever I could reach, which happened to be a hand rail to one side of the loco front and I was pleasantly surprised it was still there at the end of trip, because I was aware it was getting whacked by overhanging branches.

[@stonecoldfan3167]

Timsvideochannel1 beautiful country man I love this video all the same!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cheers, Bulgaria's a beautiful country.

[@ronwinke6504]

Hi Tim, many tnx, for the fine film u made for us we shore enjoy watching the many train videos fom across the pond, Tim, again thank u Ron, wb8nmk in N W OHIO U S A< June 2015

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Ron Winke My pleasure Ron, it's good to know you enjoy watching these videos as it makes editing and uploading them worthwhile.

[@miqbalmashwani]

Ron Winke م .

[@borderreiver3288]

a tunnel of trees and a few houses...

[@Timsvideochannel1]

There is plenty of room in Bulgaria, its a nice country.