Our intrepid photographer captured a typically relaxed scene at Zenda in the early afternoon of a quiet summer Wednesday. The hoppers begin to head for the border, having waited for the railcar to arrive on a local service via Pootank Pass. Once its loco arrives, the solo coach will form an empty stock working to the border, returning as the passenger accommodation on what is mainly a Wednesdays only parcels working to gather up empty vans for return to Zenda. Cunningly, the local depot staff have used one of the "heritage" coaches, which avoids splitting one of the usual coaching rakes to supply the required vehicle.
The clock shows 16.53, just two minutes before the railcar is scheduled to leave for Zenda, calling at all stations. The driver can just be seen at the controls, awaiting the departure signal.
As shadows lengthen, the parcels working is captured being loaded from the customs shed. Rumour has it that Ruritanian Railways wish to cancel this train: not too surprising looking at the power to weight ratio. It is exceedingly rare for this train to carry passengers, though the facility is available.
I'm often also amazed at my stock's ability to magically change from 760mm gauge to 1000mm and once in a while 750mm too!
