Proud of my chosen profession - locomotive Farm Technician

© 2020, Viesturs Lielkāja

Since I remember my first train ride in 2005 in the Umernieki – Alūksne section, or the now well-known Gulbene – Alūksne narrow-gauge train, my interest in the railway has only grown over the years. I have toured all Latvian railway stations, past and present. I have also been to the railways of neighboring countries, as well as to three European narrow-gauge railway rallies.
In 2017, I entered the Railway Department of VECC Riga State Technical School, where I mastered the study program “Locomotive Household Technician”. I quickly found a common language with the teachers and classmates and after less than a year we started the restoration of the TD5 transport trolley with one of the classmates.
The restoration lasted 4 months, and our exhibit can be seen at Gulbene train station. We created stands, which reflect the restoration of the train driver's 395 and 254 taps. The stands are exhibited in the technical school, delighting both ourselves and others.
In the summer, we go with our classmates on 3-day bicycle rides on the former Latvian railways and make films about what we have seen and experienced.