The Public Relations Office
of HRH Crown Prince Alexander II

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.

 

 

 

 

1998 HRH CP Alexander II
All Rights Reserved