Hellas-Express

Diakofto–Kalavryta Railway:

Diakopto / Διακοπτό, 28 August 1986. Billard ΑΒδφπτ 3002. Photo Pierre B

Diakopto / Διακοπτό, 29 August 1986. Decauville ΑΒδφπτ 3005. Photo Pierre B

Pierre, great idea to open this topic about the Billard!
thanks for all the beautiful photos you shared again with us!

Panagiotis

ΑΒδφπτ.3002 at Diakofto in 2000. photos:ANAROUS

Actually, three railcars were bought in 1957 and three in 1967.At the beginning the middle car didn't exist and the two others had things to touch the electricity cables,as the line was to be electricified (from 1891 but it never happened).The role of the middle car is to burn diesel and produce electricity in order for the other units to work.Now only one 1967 DMU is working.All the others are in Diakofto and in other parts of the network with open doors.........

Numbering:


3001 Billard 1958 3001+ΟΠΕ3501+3001
3002 Billard 1958 3002+ΟΠΕ3502+3002
3003 Billard 1958 3003+ΟΠΕ3503
3004 Decauville 1967 3004+ΟΠΕ3504+3004
3005 Decauville 1967 3005+ΟΠΕ3505+3005
3006 Decauville 1967 3006+ΟΠΕ3506+3006


ΟΠΕ is the middle powered unit (it works like the railbuses:-))

At the beginning in 1957-58 one Billard didn't consist of 3 cars because old wagons were used instead of a third car.

For the transportation between Lefka and Diakopoto some N19s were used, numbered 85026-85028.

Greetings.
It's my first post in this forum.
I write from Spain. In December I will be in Greece. I would like to be able to photograph the Greek billiards.
As a matter of fact, they are in Diakoptos. Are they still there or have they scrapped? Do you know if you can photograph inside? Do you have any idea of preserving someone in a running state? Have the panoramic windows been blinded?
By the way. TRAINOSE works very badly. They do not answer emails and the web leaves a lot to be desired, so my trip through Greek lands will go a little blindly.
If someone can and wants to lend a hand I appreciate it.
David

Hi David, welcome to the forum.

Most of the Billard railcars are still located at Diakopto station, the exceptions being driving unit 03 and power car 3501. Unfortunately, none of them is preserved in running condition (only one of the Decauville railcars is), however none of them is scrapped, nor are there any such plans.

All panoramic windows were replaced with metal sheets in the late 1970s, after some near misses of falling rocks breaking through them and nearly injuring passengers. Decauville railcars, built in 1967, were ordered without them from the beginning.

thank you.
On Friday I start my Greek adventure to visit this railway.

Some interior photos of ΑΒδφπτ.3002 photos: Tasos (Anarus)