Railway Herald
Plinthed and on display outside the BDZ (Bulgarian State run Railway) Technical University in Sofia is SKODA Class 42 No. 42072 captured in the glorious Bulgarian sunshine on 13th May 2023. Constructed and delivered to Bulgaria in 1970 42072 was part of an order with SKODA of Pizen for 90 electric locomotives. Still retaining the original style fibreglass body that quickly earned the class the nickname of 'laminatas' it is one of only two remaining examples. Several members of the class were subsequently re-bodied with the later and more recognisable style adopted for the Class 43, 44 and 45 SKODAs. Electrical fires and fibreglass bodies do not bode well together!.
Stephen Ginn
