On 14 October, the final tour of 2023 took place on the Baloži peat train – a narrow-gauge railway restored and maintained by volunteer enthusiasts. To show solidarity with Ukraine and to draw attention to fundraising for a donated locomotive, the train ran decorated with Latvian and Ukrainian flags. Like a red rag to a bull, Ukraine is to trolls... A massive wave of negativity began to pour onto the train's Facebook post about the tour.
“Train to nowhere”, “When will this circus finally end”, “Should have put up an Israeli flag too”, “Sick”, “No return ticket”, “Disgusting to look at”, “You can donate the whole train, leave the Latvian flag at home”. These are just a few of the many hundreds of opinions, remarks and comments expressed by the “offended” citizens, quite often in Russian as well, supplementing their text with various derogatory memes and emojis.
Why so much negativity? Who is to blame? Why? The train itself was pulled by an ESU2a narrow-gauge locomotive – a locomotive that is not only capable of pulling carriages but also generates 50 kW of three-phase electricity as a mobile generator.
It was precisely because of this unique construction that an idea occurred to a train enthusiast at the end of 2022: such a locomotive could be useful to Ukraine. While some of the commenters on the Facebook post were apparently unable to even understand the locomotive’s function or the goal of the fundraiser, several eagle-eyed users managed to remark – “Soviet equipment!” Is equipment something bad if it serves a noble purpose? Do the Ukrainians not use Soviet-era equipment and ammunition while defending their existence?
A swarm of such opinions and barking was to be expected. Is that a reason not to act? At the beginning of 2023, we contacted our colleagues – railway enthusiasts in Ukraine, and also travelled personally to Haivoron with humanitarian aid. We met with municipal representatives and workers of the 120 km-long local narrow-gauge railway, experienced their daily routines, air raid sirens and the instability of the situation, and took part in a soldier's funeral. At that time – hearing from them how much strength it gives to know that there are people in other countries, especially in the Baltics and Poland, who understand and support them – it helps them endure everything! In cooperation with Ziedot.lv, the project “ESU2a Locomotive for Ukraine” was created. By the day of the tours, we had raised €5000, which is the greater portion of the locomotive's price, but funds are also needed for organizing the transport; in total – another 10...12 thousand euros.
Trying to bark at the caravan, the dogs made noise, waking up those who did not yet know that such a caravan was passing by. So we too ask – support us with donations to reach this goal within this year, because the Ukrainians, unfortunately, expect a new wave of attacks on the power grid to begin. In the city of Haivoron, almost everything depends on the power supply – if there is no electricity, the city's deep-bore wells do not work and there is no water. In the refugee centre, due to safety concerns, there are only electric kitchen stoves, and the hospital's autonomous generator can only supply the most critical consumers. The needs are many, and they affect thousands of people; one locomotive can partially, but noticeably, address them! Thank you to those who support us financially, as well as those who write positive comments and engage in discussions with the authors of the negativity. Together we are a force, victory will be ours!
In conclusion, in the words of Facebook user Kevin Ķēniņš: “Look how the alternatively developed worshipers of 'raška' are fuming. Don't worry. This train hasn't come for you yet.”
www.kudrasbanitis.lv
Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/kudrasbanitis/posts/pfbid02BZFWgMfCCmcrHkyEXmsanDC5mFh13LHs5H4Nig3hdHrSrmPsf6GGPcuQxQNHkYTQl