Trainspotting (BG) - Electric locomotives class 43 of BDZ (Skoda 64E)

Let me introduce to you a video featuring BDZ Series 43 locomotives. The locomotives of this series hold a factory designation Skoda 64E and are the forerunners of the largest series of electric locomotives in Bulgaria - 44/45 (Skoda 68E). A total of 56 units were delivered for the period 1971-1974 by Skoda, Plzen. Although 64E are almost identical in appearance to their 68E successors, there are still some significant differences between them, such as a completely different bogies and lack of electrodynamic brake at 64E. Of course, there are other differences in the electrical and pneumatic equipment, but I do not want to go into details. They are very similar to the class 242 locomotives of Czech Railways (CD). Generaly, there's a plenty of information in the web, mostly in Bulgarian, but ... there are translators for this purpose. :)

Over the years, the 43 Series locomotives have proven to be extremely reliable and suitable for the Bulgarian railways. Currently, all locomotives in this series are assigned to the freight division of the national carrier (BDZ) and serve cargo compositions throughout the country. Unfortunately, over the years, many locomotives from this class have been destroyed in crashes, after which they have been scrapped. In 2012 a few units were sold to a private railway operators in Czech Republic and Slovakia. Currently, about 25-27 locomotives of this type are still in operation and despite their age, they successfuly are serving a major part of the cargo movement in Bulgaria.

Видео Trainspotting (BG) - Electric locomotives class 43 of BDZ (Skoda 64E) канала Ivo Radoev