BELARUS TOUR APRIL 2013 - MOGILEV

On Sunday 28 Apriul we travelled from Vitebsk to Mogilev which has an extensive trolleybus system.  There was heavy rain on the journey to Mogilev which persisted for the first hour we were there.  When the rain stopped we noticed that people were carrying springs of pussy willow (palm) teamed with very gaudy artificiall flowers - it was the Orthodox Palm Sunday.

Standard type of trolleybus

Older type of trolleybus

Map of the trolleybus routes

One of the older type of trolleybuses used as a technical support vehicle at the end of the 2 route

The trolleybus I had just got off being put over the it at the end of the 2 route

B ELARUS TOUR APRIL 2013 - VITEBSK

Saturday 27 April we were in Vitebsk and let loose for the morning, but to be back at the hotel at lunchtime to go en masse to the tram depot. We were due at the depot at 2 pm and had to take the no 1 tram from outside the hotel. Vitebcsk has street running and reserved track routes operated by a very mixed fleet of RVZ6, KTM5, KTM8 and 28 AKSM cars, of which at least 12 have low floor sections.  there is also an exdtensive trolleybus network with routes operated by various AKSM/BKM types and a few remaining old ZIUs.


The cost of the tram tour was a bit fluid, first it might be €20, then €10, but it if you took a book for the manager it might be free.  Needless to say he had a lot of books given to him and he reciprocated by giving the book donors one about Vitebsk, which had been reprinted specially for us.

Stained glass window on the stairs leading to the museum and archive

this line up greeted us in the depot yard

We took RVZ 421 for our tour, which smelled of fresh paint on the inside!

Photo showing the low floor section

This sight greeted us just inside the depot gates

 

 

 

 

 

The No 1 tram approaching the stop outside out hotel

BELARUS TOUR APRIL 2013 - VIA NOVOPOLOTSK TO VITEBSK

On Friday we drove from Minsk to Polotsk, arriving in time for lunch and then on to Novopolotsk, where we had permission to photograph the Zavod (chemical plant) end of the line. The service in the afternoon was on a 10-15 minute frequency.

Timetable at the bus station (Autovoksal) stop

KTM approaching the Autovoksal stop

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KTM at the Zavod (chemical plant) end of the line

Emerging from the turning circle at the housing end of the line

A few trams have a 'low floor' section

BELARUS TOUR APRIL 2013 - MINSK DAY 2

25th April was a free day and with judicious use of the metro, it was possible to get to the ends of tramway routes.  Minsk was a pleasant surprise, very clean and tidy, old buildings renovated, new buildings going up everywhere and pavements and steps which were safe to walk on - a lot of work has been done on the infrastructure of the country.

All doors working - a change from yesteryear

Standard type of trolleybus locally made

Older type of trolleybus still in use

Tram and trollerybus interchange

Leaving  Minsk station

On the approach to Minsk station

BELARUS TOUR APRIL 2013 - MINSK

The Longworth Tour to Belarus began with two flights to Minsk via Frankfurt on 23 April, arriving at midnight, so nothing more to do than go to the hotel and sleep.  On 24 and 25  April there was free time in Minsk with  2 metro lines, 68km of tramway and 499 km of trolleybus routes to see.  Firstly we had to get to grips with the money causing much amusement as there are 13500 BRU to the £, hence many Monopoly type comments.  The fares in the main throughout being BRU1400 (about 11p) per journey.

On 24th we journeyed to the tramway depot and after a short look around took tram no 180, a PCC type, for a tour.

Minsk Transport Coat of Arms - very appropriate

One of the newer style tramcars built locally

Tram 122 of the standard type of Minsk tram

Gas driven?

Tram 180 on the turning circle with service car

Tram 180

METROLINK IN THE SNOW - from Keith Chadbourne

Before we all get too enthused about the arrival of Spring/Summer, I thought these photos of Metrolink from Keith are a good reminder of this last long winter!

Presume this one has a small snow plough fitted!

MORE SUNNY LISBON ON SUNDAY from Luis Vieira

 

Sunday at Lisbon with marvellous sunshine

Around the Cathedral after a superb organ concert

Before the football derby Benfica - Sporting (the flag on the top of the building on third photo)