During the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of West Bohemia, a steam train will appear on the tracks of some of the lines in the region. The rides led by the historic steam locomotive 475.111, nicknamed Šlechtična, have been prepared by the Pilsen Region in cooperation with the Iron Monument Club.
A flat car will be attached to the train set, on which period military equipment will be placed. Together with the passengers, soldiers in historical uniforms will ride on the train and participate in the accompanying programme.
Specifically, the following rides are planned:
1 May: a circular ride through the whole region Plzeň – Domažlice – Klatovy – Sušice – Horažďovice – Nepomuk – Plzeň,
3 and 4 May: rides around Pilsen (rides to Blovice, Kařízek, Kozolupy, Mirošov, Plas, Přeštice and Stod are planned).
The locomotive 475.111 Šlechtična was manufactured in 1947 by Škoda Plzeň and was deployed almost immediately on the Prague – Plzeň – Cheb fast trains. It is one of the icons not only within the Czechoslovak steam locomotives. It was in regular service for 30 years, until 1977.
In the event of dry weather and the associated risk of fire, the steam train runs will be replaced by a diesel traction vehicle.