Steam locomotives SEK Εα201 - Εα223 ex-PDS BATIGNOLLES, ST. LEONARD 1903/7

[christo]

Εα201–223 1' C n2t Batignolles, St. Leonard 1903-07 Ex PDS A101– 23. In 60’s remains within 5000 series

Photo Trevor Rowe: Volos 1961 loco Εα204 and interesting stock in the background. From the Balkanmodels bought photos archive.

christo.

PS I did unearthed a buried Εα 24 years ago. Does anyone want the story with photos? I will do it as a Christmas story over 12 nights. If there are not 12 interested people then the story will run short and will not conclude.

[BarbaPanagos]

Let's hear that Christmas story, we are all ears

[BalkanExpress]

Yes, Christmas tale, please, Christo!

10 people left. Please, go!

[christo]

Well, it was sometime in November 1989 and I was visiting Greece. I can’t remember the reason. Was it election time or was I missing my extended family who were mostly alive then? On the third or fourth day of my visit, I went to see my friend Bill (not his real name) to hear his many stories and exchange news. He worked for OSE and was very keen in collecting information. I remember I had brought him some photographs from the Imperial War Museum in London and he was very happy with them. [One day we will start a topic on WWI railways in Greece but that is not for now.] He told me in a plain, matter of fact voice that some workers on the line had informed him that a steam locomotive was found, as they were attempting to work on a bridge. The reason for this work was the doubling up of the main line between Thessaloniki and Katerini, or something like that. To cut this long story short, I borrowed Agamemnon’s car and the next morning we were driving to the site. I took two cameras with me because in those days cameras used to take films, which needed developing and if something went wrong you needed a backup.

Photo Balkanmodels: The bridge and the beginning of the story.

christo.

[BarbaPanagos]

this seems to be an interesting story, I like the B&W photo covering too!

best wishes Christo


...

[christo]

Tool ? This is a black and white film and a black and white negative. I do not know if you young people understand this terminology but maybe you should google it. The colour film will follow the black and white one. But at the moment 2 interested friends = 2 installments

Best wishes to you too BarbaPanagos and Merry Christmas to us all.

christo.

[GAZKGK]

Christo, he sais too!, not tooL...

[christo]

The eyes are getting as bad as the ears...what? Sooooorry

christo.

[BarbaPanagos]

thanks Jason

Christo, I must admit it, we have a lot of fun here!!!


...

[christo]

So, we arrived at the site and observed the area. It was my friend Bill, his young son Alex and myself. We walked down from the bridge to the dry river bed and walked towards the locomotive. When we were close enough, I snapped my second shot at the pile of mangled iron.

Photo Balkanmodels: The sighting of the locomotive.

christo.