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class 141s in Iran

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34D

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Does anyone know whether the class 141s are still operating in Iran?

Not sure if this is the right forum section, but a search on 141 iran didn't bring anything up (surprisingly).

If they are still running, how feasible is a holiday there?
 
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jopsuk

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I doubt that spotting/photting rolling stock in iran would go down too well.
 

NSEFAN

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Even so, you would have thought there'd be something official. "Look at these shiny new trains we got." :D
 

bnm

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Even so, you would have thought there'd be something official. "Look at these shiny new trains we got." :D

I very much doubt the Iranians were showing them off as "shiny new trains". That rather sounds like a steroetype of Iran being a poor third world country. I suspect they picked them up as a bit of bargain.

There is much newer rolling stock in Iran. Including DMUs from Siemens (Germany) and Hyundai (South Korea) and locomotives from Alstom (France), General Electric (USA), and CSR Corporation (China).

With nearly 7000 route miles the Iranian rail network is pretty extensive.
 

DiscoStu

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Does anyone know whether the class 141s are still operating in Iran?

Not sure if this is the right forum section, but a search on 141 iran didn't bring anything up (surprisingly).

If they are still running, how feasible is a holiday there?



I went to Iran a few years ago now, and it was THE most friendly place I've ever been to (and I've been to a lot of places). I would say a holiday there would be very feasible, although Tehran can sometimes be risky after dark apparently, but then so is London.

But it goes without saying that you should check the current political situation before you apply for visa's etc,.
 

Harlesden

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Class 141 exported to The Islamic Republic of Iran in 2001/2
141 001
141 004
141 006
141 008
141 010
141 013-019
 

tsr

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I went to Iran a few years ago now, and it was THE most friendly place I've ever been to (and I've been to a lot of places). I would say a holiday there would be very feasible, although Tehran can sometimes be risky after dark apparently, but then so is London.

But it goes without saying that you should check the current political situation before you apply for visa's etc,.

I have met a number of Iranians, all of whom have been very pleasant people, but I don't personally know if that is a national characteristic - it seems on your visit it felt like it! I would definitely want to seek comprehensive travel advice before going anywhere in that area of the world, though! I have nothing whatsoever against the good people of the countries in that region, but there may well be barriers within their diplomatic and official situations, of course.
 

AlexS

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The closest I've found is this of a pair of units that appear serviceable to me on shed in Tehran on 09/10/2005, having had modifications like a traditional drawhook and shackle and buffers fitted. Still in Metro livery but with different coloured doors:

http://www.phantasrail.com/Iran/130 2005.10.09 Teheranu.jpg

So they were definitely still going 7 years ago. Pictures seem hard to find, perhaps to be expected.
 

DiscoStu

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I have met a number of Iranians, all of whom have been very pleasant people, but I don't personally know if that is a national characteristic - it seems on your visit it felt like it! I would definitely want to seek comprehensive travel advice before going anywhere in that area of the world, though! I have nothing whatsoever against the good people of the countries in that region, but there may well be barriers within their diplomatic and official situations, of course.


You will find that the people of Iran know that the differences between Iran and the West are all at political level. They love nothing more than chatting to Westerners, and even invite you into their home.

We were invited into a carpet shop by it's owner and we sat chatting about anything from the history of Persia, politics, and carpets (of course) for over an hour. At no point did he try selling us anything. In fact, he said that he doesn't care whether we brought from him or the shop next door.

You'll also find that these countries are a lot safer than the news would let you believe. We left Iran and went into Pakistan along the Afghan border, and even went up to the Khyber Pass near Peshawar (arguably the most dangerous road in the world) and had no problems from anybody. Although that may have been different had we not been under armed escort all the way through :lol:
 

tsr

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You will find that the people of Iran know that the differences between Iran and the West are all at political level. They love nothing more than chatting to Westerners, and even invite you into their home.

We were invited into a carpet shop by it's owner and we sat chatting about anything from the history of Persia, politics, and carpets (of course) for over an hour. At no point did he try selling us anything. In fact, he said that he doesn't care whether we brought from him or the shop next door.

You'll also find that these countries are a lot safer than the news would let you believe. We left Iran and went into Pakistan along the Afghan border, and even went up to the Khyber Pass near Peshawar (arguably the most dangerous road in the world) and had no problems from anybody. Although that may have been different had we not been under armed escort all the way through :lol:

None of the above totally surprises me (as I say, I know some Iranians), and I have to say it's very good to hear. In some areas, it seems that the more hostile the country-level "diplomacy", the friendlier the country's population.
 

sonorguy

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Iran is a very pro-western and secular country in terms of the majority of the population. It just happens to be run by some rather 'interesting' religious fundamentalists. Every Iranian I've ever met has wanted the country to be much more like the US or UK than an strict Islamist state.
 

GodAtum

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Safe is rather subjective. Iran is safe compared to London, New York, Iraq?
 

starrymarkb

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I don't think Iran would have too much of a problem. A lot of aviation enthusiasts go over for their airline fleets (vintage Boeings that are extinct in the rest of the world - like 707s!)

North Korea have official aviation enthusiast tours.
 

radamfi

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Wikitravel states that Iran (except the south-east) is a relatively low crime country, although incidents of thefts are increasing.

It might be worth mentioning that getting a visa as a UK national is harder than those from most other European countries. Nationals of most other European countries can get a visa on arrival.
 

Polarbear

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I seem to recall reading somewhere that these were used in & around Tehran for a few years, but are no longer operational. I'll have to have a look at home for more information as I haven't got time whilst at work.

Also that the carrages were segregated into male & female as well which would be in line with the local customs.
 

Electrostar

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34D

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Wikitravel states that Iran (except the south-east) is a relatively low crime country, although incidents of thefts are increasing.

It might be worth mentioning that getting a visa as a UK national is harder than those from most other European countries. Nationals of most other European countries can get a visa on arrival.

Would you happen to know whether the RoI is included in this?

What is the best way to go about making enquiries to go there? I'm guessing its beyond lastminute.com?
 

starrymarkb

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I would suggest the Iranian Embassy as a good starting point. Though Brits have a few more hoops to jump through (you'll need to visit the Embassy to collect a Visa) it's not a hardship compared with Americans (must be in an organised tour) or Israel (Denied entry)
 
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radamfi

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Would you happen to know whether the RoI is included in this?

Irish passport holders can get a visa on arrival at the airport. As far as I can tell, the UK, some of Eastern Europe, Canada and the USA are the only western countries that need to get a visa in advance. USA citizens, in addition, have to travel on an escorted tour. Needless to say, Israelis are not permitted to visit Iran.
 

atillathehunn

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You may well be denied a visa if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport! If you do one, might be worth getting another passport.
 

DiscoStu

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You may well be denied a visa if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport! If you do one, might be worth getting another passport.


Apparently this is true, however I was with a Kiwi when I went, and he had an Israeli stamp ... he made it through with no problems. Probably not worth risking though.
 

brianthegiant

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Irish passport holders can get a visa on arrival at the airport. As far as I can tell, the UK, some of Eastern Europe, Canada and the USA are the only western countries that need to get a visa in advance. USA citizens, in addition, have to travel on an escorted tour. Needless to say, Israelis are not permitted to visit Iran.

There's a lot to be said for an Irish passport if you want to travel in countries we don't get along with so well. Apparently you can get one if you have grandparents born in Ireland, including in the North, a popular trick amongst journalists.

The other thing to remember about Iran is that the fundamentalist government doesn't necesarily represent popular sentiments. Turkish resorts are full of people from Iran who want to relax and have a drink.
 

317666

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I seem to remember reading in a railway magazine a few years ago that eight were in service and four were withdrawn for spare parts.
 

fr3

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Here is a short update on the Class 141 in Iran:
It seems that all units have been withdrawn and replaced by domestically assembled Korean DMUs.

On my recent trip to Iran I could see a withdrawn unit at Zarand station. Sorry for the poor quality. The picture was taken through the window on April 27th 2013 on board of another train on the journey from Kerman to Yazd.

IMG_2301_1.JPG


For more information on rail travels inside Iran please visit my website at www.iranrail.net.
 

High Dyke

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Here is a short update on the Class 141 in Iran:
It seems that all units have been withdrawn and replaced by domestically assembled Korean DMUs.

On my recent trip to Iran I could see a withdrawn unit at Zarand station. Sorry for the poor quality.
Don't tell Northern or FGW... :roll: Otherwise they'll be back here in service before you can say franchise extension.
 

eastwestdivide

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On my recent trip to Iran I could see a withdrawn unit at Zarand station. Sorry for the poor quality. The picture was taken through the window on April 27th 2013 on board of another train on the journey from Kerman to Yazd.

...

What's the lettering on the side? It doesn't look like Arabic script.
 
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