BULGARIA: National operator BDZ has allocated 4m leva for modernisation of the 760 mm gauge diesel locomotives used on the 125 km Septemvri – Bansko – Dobrinishte line in the Rhodope mountains.
The three classes of four-axle diesel locomotives on BDZ’s only remaining narrow gauge line were supplied by Henschel and Romania’s 23 August factory between 1965 and 1988.
BDZ plans to repower them with new 825 kW engines meeting EU Stage V emissions standards, and to undertake a renewal of the electrical equipment. The cabs will also be fitted with air-conditioning and LED lighting installed.
