Recently I'm bored more than so I decided to do something with the fact. First I wanna alert all railfans (especially those interested in wide gauge eailways) to check some humongous stuff at parovoz.com like [link] or [link] (if you're so kind to try and find some info about this giant engine, PLZ, someone)

Another thing is that I wanna show off some PLZ icons and avatars I liked. I think I'll be making a collection of these.
Avatars
and
PLZ Icons

BTW if you know about some interesting ones PLZ show 'em off

I have two news about our railways. First we're probably gonna get a new EMU within sight. It's multi system class 671 [link] [link] , its origin comes out of DC EMU class 471 "Alluminium" [link] and except pendolino it will be the only multi system EMU ČD or ZSSK will be running. Its max speed will be 160 km/h. The original 471s are quite popular in Czech Republic but in Slovakia they're not used - some of them just arrive from the north-western borders of our country. But almost every inch of electrified lines of CzR or Svk is occupied by my beloved and so popular EMUs 460 "Tornado" (DC) [link] and 560 "Pantograph" (AC) [link] [link] so now I fear that this new EMU will put an end to their kingdom and they'll all end in scrap metal. Funny fact is that uber-old EMU classes 451 [link] and 452 [link] (both named "Frogs")are stil being run in Prague and neighbourhood.

The second new is a wide gauge line is being planned to be built from our eastern borders with Ukraine all the way to Pressburg and even Wien. The plan is still being studied whether it's economical or not to build this line. Also this one has its pros and cons. The greatest disadvantage is, that our freight transport will suffer great losses 'cause this new line is built solely for freight purposes. There will be no more super-long trains running under High Tatras and on top of that many people in the transship dock at the border are gonna lose their jobs.
And I don't even know whether this new line will be DC or AC but when it's finished I expect many humongous eastern engines like ChS4T [link] to be seen running on this line. The line should be built around year 2017.

[link] ChS4T again. It's so huge it even scares me a bit

I'm beginning to feel that my deviant-name is quite "worn-out". To change or not to change?

The problem is the only way to do so is creating a new account. That also includes deviation and favs moving, noticing both my watchers and the watched ones (so they won't be surprised by massive faving and stuff), and more and more and more...

The most problematic part is whether my people will get used to my new name. And last but not least it's not even so original ... I found 2 people with this nick (slightly altered though) on DA...

So what to do...?
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.
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Ok now ... I'm thirsty ... I need a wahwah ... or blood

It's here again. It comes every year on 14th of February. And it's commercial and stupid. What is it?

THE TERROR OF VALENTINE

It's the dumbest and most commercial event in the year. The coming of it is easy to percieve because of all shops and markets filling with stupid junk like heart shaped sweet-boxes, pink teddy bears with "I love you" writings on them (like that e-mail virus) and naive valentine wishes - you just need to commence a double-faced act of writing your name on it. Also all the possible websites suddenly go all pink (just check ICQ website ) That's totally disgusting.

The conspiracy of jewelries, flower and candy shops is a synthetic commercial mumbo-jumbo. Its sole meaning is to get rid of the X-mas leftovers to replace it with the terror of easter bunnies. And the bullshit that love cannot be bought? On 14. feb. immense money are spent for it - just in Austria about 67 million EURO. I'll rather be inspired by muslims in Pakistan who burn down all shops with valentine cards because valentine breaks down their traditions.

So why to easily "express your feelings" by stupid junk? Why to make it just one day in a year and when all other people do? Who wants to do so he does it the way it's worth it and does not go all stupid with pink monchichis

Last but not least I really dunno who is to be celebrated on valentine? The first candidate is Roman priest executed approx. in 269 B.C. It had nothing to do with love - the legend that he had a girl in secret is a medieval hoax. The second one is italian pontiff executed about 197 a.d., the third a martyr from africa and the fourth Valentinus of Alexandria. So who the hell?!

FUCK OFF VALENITNE

Finally answered the remaining questions and added links. Also slightly edited some amswers so it's worth reading again. Enjoy

How did your train addiction begin? What made you interest in this kind of transport?
It all began on X-mas when I was still a kid. My bro got a BTTB model railway set (one BR232 "Ludmilla" + 3 "Rekowagen" + some freight cars + loads of tracks and accessories) while I got a ridiculous small toy. I envied him so much but it wasn't pure envy. Somehow I appreciated the model train more than he had. As soon as I've seen the catalog attachment my mania got serious. I'm even sad now because when my bro got older he sold the railway set to some anonymous guy... TT_TT

Ok. So how does your interest in trains manifest itself?
I hang around train stations, watch, listen and find info about trains.

What is your all-time favorite locomotive(s)/train(s) of your country's railways?
Definetly class 140 a.k.a. "Bobina" - it's extremely pecuiar
I'm also fascinated by coupled engines like 131 "Twins" and last but not least I love 162/163 "Pershing" because of its awesome sound..

I see. Do you have an all-time favorite foreign engine(s)?
Hmm.. I think the most fav. ones are previously mentioned "Ludmilla" and also the austrian 1020 "Crocodile"

Do you ride a train often or at least regularly?
Not even regularly. Most of the places where I travel to are not connected by railways

When was the last time you went somewhere by train? What kind of train it was?
If I'm not mistaken it was some about half a year ago when I rode a local train from Zlín to Otrokovice and back...

This is where the harder part begins. Is your train addiction just at admiration level or you're also deeply interested in technical details and stuff?
I'm really deeply into technical info about trains. Most of it comes from website Prototypes

What do you find the most interesting/knowledge-enriching fact you've learned about trains?
Hard to say but maybe it was when I learned to recognize our engine classes by their numbers. That's priceless..

Do you think you know enough about railways to consider yourself a "train expert" now?
Well I think I know a lot about trains but of course it's not enough ... I wanna know more.

Now that you look back at the times you didn't know as much as now do you feel you made a train-knowledge progress?
Definetly

Enough with the philosophy stuff. Do you have a train related dream that you want to come true although you don't find it probable?
First I wanted to be a train driver but now I'd like to build and operate a giant TT or H0 model railway set. A land where all the trains I loved will ride and they'll look like at the good old times. Just like the trains I've seen as a kid..

Have you ever thought about your hobby becoming your job? (being a train driver or so..) Did you do something for it? Confess..
I mentioned it before but I repeat it again - yes. But to be honest I screwed my life at the most critical part - the choice of high school. Now I regret it but it's too late. If there were some other way I'd definetly give it a try.

Oh... How do you feel about it now?
Bad. Disappointed Wanna cry TT_TT

Is there something you'd give up for your interest?
I hadn't thought about that yet but I guess I already give up too much of my time... Sometimes it even scares me a bit

Is there something that makes you proud of your country's railways?
Gotta think about this one but I think it's the history .. the way our railways developed and so .. until now of course

Now is there something about your country's railways that annoys the hell out of you?
The way ZSSK paints our engines and coaches recently is really disgusting me. CLICK HERE TO SEE - they all look the same. You can't even tell an electric engine from a diesel. I quite like the modern double-decker cab car though.. (bottom line, second from the right)

Something more about what do you like? Are you more into older and classic trains or do you like the modern ones better?
Generally I'm interested in DC electrical engines. I prefer those mid-aged trains ... not too old not too new. But there are some exceptions ... like the cab car mentioned previously

Steam engines are a particular category. How much attention do you pay for those?
Not much but I'm really fascinated by huge steam engines like Beyer-Garatt The smaller ones are not so interesting to me though
MOAR OF 'EM: [link] [link]

Are there some trains/engines you changed your opinion about?
Some time ago I had some prejudice about our class 230/240 "Lamina" because of the strange design. But now I quite like it. It's quite peculiar for our railways.

It hurts me to ask this but are there some trains/engines you don't like?
Well I'm really not into american railways. They seem kinda strange to me. Guess it's generally because they wouldn't fit our railways no matter what

Do you think there is some train stuff other trainiacs should definetly see/hear?
You should definetly see and hear departing Pershing and also the "grinding" class 751 "Frown Face" - they make music
I also forgot to show some other favorite engines of mine like M61 NOHAB or M62 SERGEJ

How do you get along with train drivers. Do you use to talk to them if an opportunity shows up?
Exactly I talk with them when an opportunity shows up. Mostly when they're bored to death or they speak to me first..

Oh yeah .. now that I mentioned it ... have you ever rode in a train cab?
Yup. Twice. Once in a Bobina and once in Pendolino when I went to Prague.

Are there some special railway events in your country? Do you go on those?
There are some occasional steam train rides. I pay a visit if I can...

What's your most treasured train experience?
Maybe the rides to my grandma's place at the eastern side of my country. The sub-tatran railways and the landscape were awesome alone.

What train station have you seen the most interesting trains at?
Maybe in Prague ... or Brno? Hard to decide

Is there some train-related website(s) you visit regularly or find some useful information at?
[link] and [link] and go check out my Youtube playlist [link]

The meme is almost over. Any last comments you want to say before it ends?
Holy mutant leeches!! Look - an electrical Sergej [link]

Woohooo!! You're done. Now tag 3 or more trainiacs.
and I dare ya guys