Railway Herald
With the continual installation of ant-suicide grills being erected across the Bulgarian Sofia Metro system recording scenes such as this are becoming increasingly impossible. This location when visited on 22nd March 2024, Iskarsko Shose, was yet to receive such treatment. Refurbished Model 81-717.4/714.4 stock in the shape of set No. 1023 pulls in with a southbound service heading for Obelya. Dating from 1990 these 4-car metro units were originally built in the Mytischi plant in Moscow by Metrowagonmarsh. TMH at the Mytishi Plant have been awarded the contract to refurbish and modernise 52 cars (12 train sets) in four stages. The work includes a refresh of the cabs, installation of new asynchronous traction equipment and weight reduction measures to reduce power consumption. New interiors with electronic passenger information screens in both the Bulgarian language and English make for a very pleasant travelling experience. Space has also been created for both wheel chair users and push chairs. A superb result has been achieved here.
Stephen Ginn
