Arrival of distinctive locomotive switcher at Haapsalu's fresh museum location
Deadline Dingo's Daily Drop
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Editor: Whiskey Wishart, Stretch McGee
Woohoo! Haapsalu's Railway and Communications Museum just got a whole lot cooler! Friday saw the arrival of a truly special MEV-1 switcher locomotive, transported from the Pääsküla depot.
You might've heard it called a shunter locomotive, station pilot, or shifter locomotive. Either way, this bad boy is designed to guide railway vehicles over short distances, usually serviceing as the unsung heroes in railyards, assembling trains in an ordered fashion—you know, switching.
This particular MEV-1 took quite the journey straight from Pääsküla in Tallinn, navigating its way to the coastal city on Thursday. Arrival day saw the beauty being expertly hoisted into place, first with the chassis followed by the body—thank you crane duo!
So what sets this locomotive apart from the rest?
Well, for starters, it's a former in-house switcher, that kicked it in the mid-90s through Stadler train's arrival. But here's where it gets interesting; this MEV-1 was remodeled from a motor car, born out of the creativity of our Estonian brethren, making it the sole entity of its kind in the world!
Yes, your eyes do not deceive you. This locomotive is a one-of-a-kind relic representing the industrious Estonian spirit. Although it was retired back in 2013, it's had quite the career as a museum piece in recent years. But alas, the spaciousness at the Pääsküla depot has been a luxury since the new Škoda trains rolled in, making Haapsalu's Railway and Communications Museum the perfect new home for our vintage hero.
Measuring at 20 meters long and clocking over 50 metric tons on the scale, our big boy is bringing the charm and history to a whole new crowd.
As for visiting times, you can bet your bottom dollar things are going to be a little tight, but fear not! They'll be hosting special events, using it in educational programs, and even setting up an exhibition detailing the transformation of this marvelous machine.
Don't miss your chance to get a sneak peek into the incredible history of Estonian railways that this MEV-1 switcher locomotive encapsulates!
Keep an eye out for the special events at Haapsalu's Railway and Communications Museum, where you can witness the unique MEV-1 switcher locomotive – a gadget that showcases Estonian technology and craftsmanship. Examine the technological marvel in educational programs or during visiting times, as it transports you back to the era of Estonian rail history.
