CROWN PRINCE RECEIVES THE ROYAL RAILWAY SOCIETY DELEGATION

Belgrade, 19 July 2007 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II received today at the Royal Palace a delegation from the Royal Railway Society – Balkan Steam.

The Crown Prince spoke to Mr. Zoran Veresic, president and Mr. Miodrag Boskovic. They introduced HRH to the results achieved in the previous period. The Serbian Association of Railway Clubs named “Crown” (Kruna) has become a member of the European Federation of Museum and Tourist Railways – FEDECRAIL, and EUROPA-NOSTRA, the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, consisting of over 220 heritage NGOs active throughout Europe.

His Royal Highness was informed that there is a Royal Rail Car that is currently in a bad condition and is located in the Czech Republic. It was made in 1916 and was used by the High Commander of Bosnia-Hercegovina until 1918. After that it became the Royal Rail Salon of King Alexander I. When Nazis took control of Serbia in 1941, this was the wagon of the Military Commander of Serbia. After WW 2 it was used by Tito, for the last time in 1947. When the rail car had broken down in Prague on his visit to Poland, Tito left it there and the wagon was never returned.

The Crown Prince stated that it is sad that the rail car is in a very bad condition, both inside and outside. But, this rail car is part of our history. Members of the Royal Railway Society want the wagon returned to Serbia and at least its exterior restored to its Royal glow. It should become some sort of a museum, as is the case with Tito’s “Blue Train”. The negotiations are under way for some kind of trade between Serbia and the Czech Republic so that the Royal Rail Salon of King Alexander I can be returned back to Serbia.

HRH Crown Prince Alexander was also informed that the Royal Railway Society wants to renovate the Arandjelovac-Kopljare museum and tourist railway. Right now, the Sargan Eight museum and tourist railway, known for the famous film director Emir Kusturica, is operating in Serbia and attracting tourists. Interest for railway tourism exists, and the state should pay more attention to our railway history and to the possibility of more museum and tourist railways to be opened.

After a sincere discussion, the delegation was given a tour of the Royal Palace.