Traveling Across Romania on an Old Communist Train 🇷🇴 

Some of you have been commenting that this is not a communist train. That is not correct: the carriages were built in the 1980s in Görlitz, East Germany and then refurbished in the 2000s. While the interior has been modernized, the train itself WAS BUILT during communism. The locomotive was built in the 1990s but the design has been the same (with some updates) on CFR locomotives since the 1980s. Yes, there are older and more communist trains in Romania, but this one is undoubtedly part of Romania's communist past.

The carriage was built in East Germany at Waggonbau Gorlitz in the 80s. It was modernized by Alstom and Ateliere Grivita in 2002 - 2003 (20-76 series). So the interior it.s more"french" than communist.

Yes, this is an older train. But no, it is NOT a „communist” one. It is very different from those. Those used to have compartments only. First class- 6 seats on two plouche cover benches. Second class - 8 seats per compartment. Usually brown vinyl upholstery.

I am romanian and I missed these trains 🚂. 😊👏

Thank you for this valuable video. You had the opportunity to have a last-minute journey on this section. The mainline 300, as part of the TEN-T network, is currently undergoing of massive rebuilding, completely new infrastructure, line corrections, etc. (unfortunately in a "Romanian" way: the reconstruction of the adjacent section Sighişoara->Alba Iulia->Vinţu de Jos was started in 2012, and it is still not finished; CFR has suffered here a catastrophic loss of reputation; also there are _very_ few trains despite of the flawlessly rebuilt infrastructure). Regarding the rolling stock: due to lack of funds, CFR didn't buy new rolling stock in the last 14 years. During the communism they ran the trains in the style of the '60s, '70s: loooong routes with 2-3 trains daily; connections were not a point; suburban traffic was (and is) unknown. Trains were long (composed up to 15 carriages), with heavy engines. They had almost 1000 6-axed electric engines of 5100kW (designed by ASEA in '65), and over 2200 6-axed diesel engines of 2000HP (designed by Sulzer in '55). Economical operation was not a point. My favourite "slow train" of the time (~1988, traveling on the Bv->Sighişoara section, -- 828km in 14,5hrs, 105 stops): img.index.hu/imgfrm/3/9/0/3/IMG_0011653903.jpg Nowadays CFR still has no concept for the suburban or branch-line traffic (not even around Bucharest). Apart of a few second-hand bought french EMUs, and some Siemens Desiro DMUs (which have catastrophic reliability) they operate the same old engines from the 60s-80s with the same old schedule structure. Starting from the 2000s old socialist passenger carriages were gradually replaced by second-hand German rolling stock (like the carriage you tested); from ~2010 also a big scale scrapping of the old rolling stock was started; finally some old carriages were refurbished (like the old German bi-level carriages you saw in Braşov). Unfortunately apart of painting they don't get too much maintenance. Real curiosities are the Malaxa DMUs. The "small" Malaxas (series 77) were built in the '30s (on freight waggon chassis with leaf springs). "Big" Malaxas are built based on Hungarian licence of the very successful construction called "Árpád-type" from 1934. In Hungary last of the Árpád's was withdrawn in 1974, but both of the Malaxa series are still in daily service at the CFR. Look at the poor things: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5kXLMbOXUGk.html Regarding the seats you tested, you were wrong, they are newer design. These are the real "socialist" seats (Malaxas were rebuilt during the socialism): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SbSpfxpve-c.html Finally a word about gipsies. Traditionally the southern region of Transylvania was populated by Transylvanian Saxons (in the 1890s certain rural areas were overwhelmingly German-speaking; in cities, like Timişoara, Sighişoara, Braşov, etc. 30 to 60%). This was the richest part of Transylvania with serious autonomy. Unfortunately Ceauşescu hated minorities (especially the Hungarians and Jews, but also Saxons). In the '80s, when the Romanian economy started to dramatically degrade, the Romanian government started to sell the Saxons to Germany in exchange of bounty. Saxon families turned to significant export item. Finally, rest of them fled in '90 after the fall of the communism. This was a real ethnographic tragedy. Nowadays practically there are no Saxons left in the area any more (e.g. in Sighişoara less than 1,5%). Instead a new ethnic group is taking advantage of the ethnic vacuum...

The window should be able to open in the compartment rooms I remember riding those old school trains as a kid up until about 2002 and my parents would only let us open the window when the train was stationary.

The line from Brasov to Sighisoara is being completely rebuilt. This is why the trains are that slow, because they are operating on what is basically a construction site. Also, as many said, the train is not communist, is just unkept. As many aspects in the Romanian transport network, the service quality varies a lot, with no clear pattern. Usually however, Regio train are equipped with old rolling stock and maintenance is not really a thing around here.

Changes have been made since those days. Back in the day it was all leather covered banches, but they modernized them.

the carriage is not from communist period. It is much more new, but without any maintenance. If You want to see real communist waggons, You can see them at Nagyvárad (Oradea) station, or at Arad, where these are operating yet (Malaxa motor trains).

This railway company u took its in Bankruptcy from 2003 think , and its kept "alive"by the state only . Basically every year , this company its losing money cant make any profit bcs most people here in Romania using cars or trying to avoid these old trains . Btw i noticed u pretty much hate Romania ^^ u are focused in showing only the worst parts ^^

Definitely not the worst or most communist... took a train from Brasov to Cluj in 2022 that still had a very soviet look to it like it was built in the 60s or so.

If you are near Arad try to find a Malaxa. Old as dust but CFR still using it.

Oh my goodness Jack, that’s some crazy trip! I can’t stop laughing 😂😂😂😂😂..

This looks like a time machine! Great video once again

These are the most common trains in EVERYWHERE exept for bucharest. Whether it’s Severin,Craiova,Brasov,etc,

For my was kids life in Romania

good look from Poland

The railway you took is in construction.

I guess this commie train love is like real love... like a flame, it burns itself out eventually.

Actually, i can guarantee south western part has worse. They still use the old mechanical signals and diesel trains from the 1930s, so Brasov Sighișoara is an actual good line compared with others.

Owh it's awesome tour with this train 😅😅

Hi I recommend you trip around Poland

Bro I am from India. Communisam and socialism is a foolish ideology

Cfr