Retro train rides are turning into an undisputed tourist hit in Bulgaria

published on 4/14/25 12:35 PM

Photo: Bulgarian State Railways

The steam locomotive train rides organized by the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) on various occasions and holidays for lovers of old trains have become a tradition. The puffing train, which emits a lot of steam and smoke, and its sonorous whistle are exciting for both children and adults, claims Mila Mladenova, host of the Bulgarian National Radio program "Travel with Horizon".

Attraction tours with the Bulgarian State Railways

In 2024, the Bulgarian State Railways conducted 14 retro train rides on various routes, transporting over 6,000 passengers. The Bulgarian State Railways usually chooses dates related to Bulgarian history - officials holidays and celebrating holidays of cities and municipalities - and combines them with attractive cultural and historical routes, we learn from a conversation with Kalin Marinov, head of the company's Marketing Department:

"Currently, these trips are enjoying quite a lot of interest. The last one we did recently was on the occasion of Baba Marta on March 1st and the tickets were sold out within about a day. There is great interest from the young audience. We give a 50% discount for children under 10 years of age. Our historical and cultural program is specially aimed at them, on the occasion of events and holidays. We currently have a total of 7 steam locomotives and 1 diesel engine.

Of the retro wagons in operation, there are 3 royal wagons, two wagons from the time of Todor Zhivkov and two narrow-gauge retro wagons. Most steam locomotives were manufactured in the 1940s and 1950s, and we have one that is more than a century old and is still in operation."

The Rhodope Caterpillar - the train that crosses mountains and time

Since its establishment in 1888, the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) has inherited a rich cultural and historical heritage of specialized trains for state and high-ranking officials. The carriages of the royal train "Corona Express" were intended for the official travels of Tsar Boris III and his family, and the government train "Vitosha Express" was the train of the leader of the Bulgarian Communist Party Todor Zhivkov.

Independence Day 1908 reenactment and Korona Express travel

In order to preserve the elegance and spirit of the time in which they were created, the "Corona" and "Vitosha" express trains are preserved and maintained by the so-called "Remiz" service, which has existed since 1906. The hall with the carriages is a real museum - the industrial style in the design of the depot hall is combined with a palace Renaissance style, the aria is ennobled and forested on the personal recommendation of Tsar Ferdinand, known for his botanical interests. Even today, the carriages shine with cleanliness, you can see they have been taken care of, says Krasimir Yordanov, production organizer of the "Remiz" service.

"All carriages are authentically preserved in the form in which they were produced. Some of them are maintained in motion. Tour operators can also rent them for attraction trips. BDZ also organizes such trips for certain holidays and people can get acquainted with the history of Bulgaria. Always before a trip, the carriages are washed, cleaned, and the necessary technical inspections are made."

During these trips, photography enthusiasts do not stop taking curious shots of the steam locomotives against the backdrop of beautiful landscapes. Some of the routes, such as the trip from Sofia to Bankya, are short yet picturesque. Another popular panoramic route is Sofia - Cherven Bryag - Lukovit. The retro experiences organized by the Bulgarian State Railways and some tour operators have become a real tourist hit lately.

"Usually, a nice destination with more picturesque landscapes is chosen, breaks are made for photography at certain stations. Some of the passengers get off, the other part is at the windows, everyone is taking photos", says Krasimir Yordanov. "Steam engines are used for such trips and it is an attractive experience to go back so many years, when railway transport was not yet so well developed and people did not travel so fast. The speed of the steam engines is 50-60 km per hour. All passengers are fascinated. They ask when and where the carriages were manufactured, who traveled with them, etc.

Among the most popular routes of the retro trains are the beautiful Iskar Gorge and the railway routes Gorna Oryahovitsa - Tryavna and Kardzhali - Podkova village."

The Orient Express crossing the Bulgarian town of Tryavna

The first organized attraction trips with retro trains in Bulgaria began in the 1980s, but gained greater popularity after 2000. One of the most famous luxury trains, the Orient Express, revived as a tourist attraction in 1982 also passes through Bulgaria.

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Photos BDZ, Kristian Kunev, BNR- Horizon channel

Edited by Veneta Nikolova, based on interviews of Mila Mladenova from BNR's Horizon channel

Published in English by Rositsa Petkova

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