22 hours on the MYSTERIOUS sleeper train you’ve never heard of...

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  • Опубліковано 7 тра 2024
  • Time to head to a new country, and try out train travel in Uzbekistan! I'll be riding the mysterious sleeper train you've never heard of. I'll be spending 22 hours on this old Soviet train, running through the arid mountains and desert of this Central Asian country, including the highly secretive Qamchik Tunnel.
    ---
    Journey Details:
    Origin: Andijon-1
    Destination: Xiva
    Company: Oʻzbekiston Temir Yoʻllari (UTI)
    Train: UTI O'Z-Y / UTI 2O'ZUY + Ammendorf
    Accommodation: Kupe Sleeping Carriage (C4)
    Distance: 1,438 kiloemtres / 894 miles
    Price: 266,780 som (£18.20 / €21.30 / $23.20)
    Time: 21 hours 26 minutes, arrived 3 minutes late
    ---
    Find me elsewhere:
    superalbs.weebly.com/
    / superalbs
    / superalbstravels
    / superalbstravels

КОМЕНТАРІ • 137

  • @jonathanirons231
    @jonathanirons231 29 днів тому +30

    The dust coming out of that pillow ...😵‍💫

  • @mrkevind
    @mrkevind 29 днів тому +24

    I loved how the dust flew out of the pillow when you smacked it! I guess the attendant wasn’t cleaning while you waited!

  • @lukethomas.125
    @lukethomas.125 Місяць тому +67

    Yes please. Love to see the regional Talgo

    • @maxart3392
      @maxart3392 29 днів тому +3

      I'd also ask you to review the Talgo, but from your previous reports I learned that you hate Talgo.

    • @SSS92934
      @SSS92934 29 днів тому +2

      ​@@maxart3392He likes Talgo but just high speed talgo, not Central Asian Talgo as it goes too slow

  • @perrathje1345
    @perrathje1345 29 днів тому +13

    Once again: Thank you for a great video! I'm 64, but if I was your age, you'd inspire me to do what you're doing. 🙂
    Take care! cheers, Per, Denmark

  • @Zugdurchfahrt311
    @Zugdurchfahrt311 29 днів тому +11

    I was pretty surprised on how good the tracks seemed to be maintained (espacially comparing to other centrail eastern countrys)

  • @u1zha
    @u1zha Місяць тому +19

    The station facades have nice consistent looks, I like that bit of apparent solid masonry framing the glass panels, leaves a better impression than simple concrete glass and metal "international style" boxes

  • @vitekkozov3980
    @vitekkozov3980 Місяць тому +28

    I rode Uzbek trains from Khiva all the way back to Tashkent on 3 different days last year. It was an amazing experience! I will never forget the views over the desert as the sun started to set, seeing no signs of civilization from the window in any direction. The train was packed to the brim and some locals sang beautifully and played the guitar. The only thing I regret was taking an upper bed in the cheapest class: I thought I was about to pass out from the heat before the train finally started moving and I could breathe some fresh air.

  • @louisp52
    @louisp52 29 днів тому +96

    You aren't allowed to fiilm the Qamchiq Tunnel for the same reason you can't film The Chorvoq Dam: It's really important strategic infrastructure and they are terrified of terror attacks. The tunnel is one of the only means of connecting the Fergana valley (which produces most of the countries food) to the rest of the country. The Dam also has really high security because if it had a hole put in it Tashkent would be flooded in 10 minutes.

    • @loljk1991
      @loljk1991 26 днів тому

      Who are they afraid of ? I didn't know there was terrorism in uzbekistan

    • @thedevonianfootiefan9871
      @thedevonianfootiefan9871 26 днів тому

      @@loljk1991there is terrorism everywhere, some countries may not publish that it’s happened though

    • @joelthorstensson2772
      @joelthorstensson2772 25 днів тому +8

      @@loljk1991 Islamic militants from Afghanistan, judging by Google Maps.

    • @loljk1991
      @loljk1991 25 днів тому

      @@joelthorstensson2772 oh man. And I thought Islamic majority central asian countries like Uzbekistan are safe

    • @Sir_David_Beatty
      @Sir_David_Beatty 4 дні тому

      @@loljk1991 Not exactly, Afghan - Uzbek, (as well as to a lesser extent Kyrgyz) relations are particularly tense even to this day because not only did the Soviets use these regions for staging during the 79-89 Soviet Afghan war, the US did the exact same thing in 2001. Though they are more upset about the instance in 2001 because of a reasonable degree of recency bias but also because these countries were independent and considered complicit in the invasion.

  • @NonstopEurotrip
    @NonstopEurotrip 29 днів тому +19

    This video deserves more views ❤

    • @SuperalbsTravels
      @SuperalbsTravels  29 днів тому +2

      Thanks pal, I find myself to agree! 🙏

    • @paulthiel5145
      @paulthiel5145 29 днів тому +1

      Always nice to see some youtubers backscratching going on 😂

  • @jptv5726
    @jptv5726 29 днів тому +6

    was surprised to see that the man in front of you at the ticket check was carrying a Hema bag.
    Hema is a Dutch retail chain.

  • @agripel1
    @agripel1 Місяць тому +9

    I had 2 trips on the Afrosiyob in April 2024 from Bukhara to Samarkand and from Samarkand to Tashkent. The train is nice with lots of legroom even in economy class and an overall comfortable experience.

  • @vedants.vispute77
    @vedants.vispute77 Місяць тому +26

    World is so big and diverse. May all countries get the prosperity for a better quality of life :)

  • @shiraharataurus1414
    @shiraharataurus1414 Місяць тому +12

    Very nice pronouciation of Zhuzhou! 9/10 from a Chinese!

  • @tarkatan971
    @tarkatan971 Місяць тому +10

    missed your commentary about trains man. I always look forward to your videos

  • @craiglogistics2092
    @craiglogistics2092 29 днів тому +5

    I would love to see a review of the Uzbek Talgo and I think @Noel Philips would like to do this trip across Uzbekistan

  • @paristen8556
    @paristen8556 29 днів тому +5

    I had a trip to Uzbekistan in 2012 so things may have changed, but we took the Talgo from Samarkand to Tashkent which was splendid, peculiarly like a European train although the landscape through the windows was very foreign - a shepherd on horseback looking after a flock, for instance. We also went from Tashkent to Ferghana and back by road, saw much of your desert landscapes on desert/mountain roads, and often overlooked the timur yol (iron road) as we drove along. I was very struck by the amount of commercial traffic, trucks going one way with Belgian plates, the other way with Chinese plates. It's a truly strange part of the world for us western Europeans. Thanks for the video!

  • @rgoonewardene380
    @rgoonewardene380 29 днів тому +5

    Been to Uzbekistan. Went to Tashkent, Buhara, Samarkand, and Xiva. Really enjoyed it.
    Love the video.

  • @No-vq1iv
    @No-vq1iv 29 днів тому +4

    Old soviet trains same as ours, except these look mint. The Uzbekistanis love their trains I guess.

  • @missm10
    @missm10 Місяць тому +3

    Wow this looks incredible!

  • @Ivanovichkevler
    @Ivanovichkevler 29 днів тому +3

    Amazing video as always mate! You should do "sleepers train reviews more often!❤

  • @rezaalan3991
    @rezaalan3991 29 днів тому +2

    What a great trip and great experience. This trip definitely full of surprises. Can't wait for you to taking Aforsyob Train

  • @LadySophieofHougunManor7325
    @LadySophieofHougunManor7325 12 днів тому

    Fantastic video super albs your channel rocks

  • @FilFee
    @FilFee 29 днів тому +6

    15:47 These won't be there for much longer as the Uzbek Railways ordered 30 new units from Skoda with delivery starting next year.

  • @oliknow
    @oliknow 29 днів тому +2

    I am at abou 14 minutes in now and these stations look all incredible. absolutely clean with layouts like in a video game. almost surreal

  • @uncipaws7643
    @uncipaws7643 29 днів тому +4

    I'm reminded of my trip in an Uzbek sleeping-car on the Turksib from Barnaul to Almaty in 2008. The airconditioning was broken or nonexistent and the compartment window could not be opened. Absolutely brutal. And the attendant sometimes collected trash and threw it out of the only window that could be opened (corridor side).
    I see they have more recent trains like the Talgo but the old ones still exist. Shouldn't travel there in the summer then. I hear the winter can be as cold as the summer is hot.
    By the way I notice in this video that most of the station buildings look quite new, so it seems they do invest in the railways. And maybe at some point will have new night trains as well.

    • @stanislavkostarnov2157
      @stanislavkostarnov2157 29 днів тому +1

      it is a place that gets nearly a hundred degree temperature range in some parts so yes
      as cold as it is hot!!!

  • @kent3900
    @kent3900 18 днів тому

    I have just came across your site, and I am really enjoying your videos.
    Keep up the great work ✨

  • @samtrak1204
    @samtrak1204 25 днів тому

    You are the consummate guide and historian. Thanks.👋

  • @470danadidas
    @470danadidas 28 днів тому +1

    I'd love to see a video on the Talgo train. Superb video. It's great to see these remote places way off the beaten track. I was surprised on how modern looking the railway infrastructure is.

  • @doctorhoof5579
    @doctorhoof5579 26 днів тому +3

    Love the reference to the "venerable elektrichka". Brings back good memories (and a few not-so-good ones)

  • @CarlosLopezES
    @CarlosLopezES 29 днів тому +2

    In 18:59, the high speed train appears on stage. It's a Spanish Talgo (Afrosiyob service), up to 250 km/h.

  • @ronalddevine9587
    @ronalddevine9587 29 днів тому +3

    Quite impressive. Were the employees friendly or snarly?

  • @manosm2003
    @manosm2003 28 днів тому +1

    Breathtaking scenery🤩🤩🤩🤩 and a satisfying trip

  • @RetepElpmet
    @RetepElpmet 29 днів тому +2

    Looks beautiful, although I think the heat would probably get to me, so I don't think I'll be able to do this type of journey in person. Oh well, this is why I like watching your videos.

  • @memespert
    @memespert Місяць тому +6

    4:27 Woo-hoo! No bribe!

  • @finn3721
    @finn3721 29 днів тому +2

    a video on the talgo would be great

  • @thealmightydoge5653
    @thealmightydoge5653 Місяць тому +20

    What shocks me is about how unique trains can be in ex-USSR countries! Great video!

  • @willemsberg
    @willemsberg 29 днів тому +21

    Secrecy concerning tunnels seems to be a thing in countries with a 'less then stellar' reputation concerning democracy. I remember taking a bus in Egypt from Cairo to Sharm al-Shaykh: where (in order to pass through the Suez Canal road tunnel) everybody had to disembark, take their luggage from the baggage-hold and be subjected to a passport check and manual suitcase inspection. The bus then going through multiple security barriers manned with heavily armoured guards. Probably a case of overblown security-theatre and different security and police organisations trying to one-up eachother.

    • @paulthiel5145
      @paulthiel5145 29 днів тому +6

      Lol, ever traveled with Eurolines or Flixbus through the channel tunnel wt night? Exactly the same experience 😄

  • @dennismatthews6660
    @dennismatthews6660 29 днів тому +2

    Thank you.

  • @BengtHansves
    @BengtHansves 29 днів тому +2

    These old Ammendorfer "Liefert" (delivers)!

  • @FurqatAbdulrazzoq
    @FurqatAbdulrazzoq 29 днів тому +2

    Just a little bit of correction: Namangan is actually the second largest city in Uzbekistan.

  • @darshankhaire9123
    @darshankhaire9123 29 днів тому +2

    They should really build level boarding platforms at this point since trains are good

  • @Code_blue7
    @Code_blue7 29 днів тому +3

    Oh these are great I wish I could ride them too😕😢

  • @marcvandyck8052
    @marcvandyck8052 11 днів тому

    Ha ! I did not expect one of my comments to be one day featured in one of your videos... I indeed visited Uzbekistan by train in 2017, travelled there all the way by train from Belgium. Visited Taskent, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Termez, and tbe Ferghana valley. The Khiva line and station did not exist yet, and the Angren-Pop line and tunnel just opened a few months before.
    When Uzbekistan became an independent country, its rail network was broken in five different sectors that could only be joined together via border crossings. It took them 25 years to transform this mess into a united network. This tunnel was the last missing link.

  • @RWBHere
    @RWBHere 16 днів тому

    Did you wake up coughing because of the dust and mites in the pillow?
    Taking that journey was certainly an interesting experience! Thanks for the video. 🙂👍

  • @_aidid
    @_aidid 26 днів тому

    Absolutely, I would like to watch a vlog on the high speed train you mentioned

  • @waters1801
    @waters1801 26 днів тому

    Epic ❤

  • @andrewpepper8031
    @andrewpepper8031 24 дні тому

    It certainly looked like an incredible trip across a part of the world I guess I will never see.

  • @LeonxavierVX
    @LeonxavierVX 29 днів тому +2

    “Surprise picnic” 😂😂😂

  • @swerdna1970
    @swerdna1970 29 днів тому +3

    I want a podstakannik.

  • @DerFoerderator
    @DerFoerderator Місяць тому +5

    4:04 "Made in Germany" as always XD

  • @Drago1995
    @Drago1995 15 днів тому +1

    ooh God! people that invite themselves into my space that would be a nightmare for me.

  • @thomasucc
    @thomasucc Місяць тому +4

    Super cool

  • @okamisansempai557
    @okamisansempai557 Місяць тому +3

    Interesting

  • @Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi
    @Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi Місяць тому +6

    1:37 Boa tarde boa viagem ai trem cama

  • @gegegichakson4404
    @gegegichakson4404 28 днів тому +1

    IMO the Kon station was simply a checkpoint for some freight trains. In my country there's also a station were trains climb a steep gradient up to some altitude and then stepping down again before that station so all the trains regardless the class & numerical order are require mandatory stop to check the train brakes as whole unit not the loco brake only

  • @MrIamcool3123
    @MrIamcool3123 15 днів тому

    I would like you to do a review on the afrosiyob talgo train

  • @Sir_David_Beatty
    @Sir_David_Beatty 4 дні тому

    I was actually on part of this route in 2016, only between Tashkent and Pop though as the day we were travelling the train to Namangan wasn't running. So we had a company car meet us there and drive us the rest of the way. Interestingly the blind was broken in the compartment on the way there so they couldn't actually close it all the way when we were going through the tunnel, despite their best efforts.

    • @SuperalbsTravels
      @SuperalbsTravels  4 дні тому

      Hahaha wow, I bet they were terrified by the fact you might be able to look out. 😂

    • @Sir_David_Beatty
      @Sir_David_Beatty 4 дні тому

      @@SuperalbsTravels The attendant didn't seem all that flustered by it, and as far as I remember no one else bothered to come and check. Though we didn't try to get too crazy by trying to film or take pictures.

  • @michaeltischer7195
    @michaeltischer7195 Місяць тому +5

    You must make a video where you ride the flying scotsman in the uk!! That wound be awsome!!

  • @mrkevind
    @mrkevind 20 днів тому

    Which speedometer app do you use?

  • @DLeadVox
    @DLeadVox 14 днів тому

    💛💛💛

  • @TeamMicrohard
    @TeamMicrohard 20 днів тому

    Have you ever heard of máv's Fecske Bhv?

  • @WatchMeDoMath
    @WatchMeDoMath 29 днів тому +1

    Superalbs, how did you manage the language barrier? Do you speak any Russian?

  • @MrIamcool3123
    @MrIamcool3123 Місяць тому +4

    For your next sleeper train review, please ride on the amrit Bharat express which is India’s newest sleeper train.

  • @brooks9661
    @brooks9661 28 днів тому

    How hard was it to get into Uzbekistan? I wouldn’t mind going there to see the scenery and film the trains there if I had a camera. I can’t find any videos of railfanning in Uzbekistan and if I could I would want to change that

    • @marcvandyck8052
      @marcvandyck8052 11 днів тому

      Not difficult at all. You just need a passport and a visa issued by the Uzbek consulate in your country. I had mine in 2 weeks. Transit visa for Russia was much harder...

  • @lukasio2709
    @lukasio2709 Місяць тому +3

    To be honest this route looks like sth selfmade in Transport Fever 2

  • @yuichitachibana6
    @yuichitachibana6 29 днів тому +1

    Does anyone know, why is there such huge amount of those tiny japanese-like vans??

  • @Charlizzie
    @Charlizzie 29 днів тому +1

    The English name of the tunnel in question per Wikipedia is Kamchiq Tunnel
    1:26 "To the Stationintroduction". LOL, the hell?

    • @rambo10101
      @rambo10101 26 днів тому

      That was probably machine translated. The Uzbek word "Kirish" can mean entry but also introduction depending on the context.

  • @Loweffordproducions
    @Loweffordproducions Місяць тому +2

    I hope you didn't sweat and hat enough water :)

  • @PreNeanderthal
    @PreNeanderthal 24 дні тому

    I see you could connect your phone - into (the) net.😄

  • @AxelleTheExposer
    @AxelleTheExposer 17 днів тому

    Would you like to ride the Bicol Express in the Philippines once the South Long Haul project is finished?

    • @SuperalbsTravels
      @SuperalbsTravels  17 днів тому

      I'd love to, one day I will visit the Philippines. :)

  • @yugomonke1
    @yugomonke1 Місяць тому +32

    Its been a while since the last upload, what happened?

  • @checkpoint5478
    @checkpoint5478 29 днів тому +2

    hoe komt een hema tas daar nou

  • @MrIamcool3123
    @MrIamcool3123 Місяць тому +6

    Why haven’t you been uploading?

  • @eottoe2001
    @eottoe2001 Місяць тому +2

    That was pretty good. I've been on worse. If you are doing real "travel" this works. TY for the video.

  • @dazlebluefrogify
    @dazlebluefrogify 29 днів тому +2

    Hi just found your site great video and what a ridiculous price so cheap compared to here in France ,

  • @glennkennedy441
    @glennkennedy441 29 днів тому +1

    I would rot on that train......

  • @blastersus2198
    @blastersus2198 29 днів тому +2

    Finally an new video!

  • @thomasucc
    @thomasucc Місяць тому +4

    You missed a trick with the tunnel, why didn't you leave a small gap in the window blinds to have a look

  • @minecraftr09.
    @minecraftr09. 27 днів тому +1

    Hey bro! I love your vids. Why don't you try the Vietnam sleeper train. It has reasonable price and also comfort that will make you happy. I'm a Vietnamese btw

  • @user-wh8cz4bo6s
    @user-wh8cz4bo6s 25 днів тому

    Mughal King Babur was from Ferghana Valley

  • @olasola1013
    @olasola1013 26 днів тому

    And Albie was never seen again.

  • @mindfulnessd6012
    @mindfulnessd6012 28 днів тому

    Thankfull I won’t be going there not sure my wheelchair would cope with the environment! 😂

  • @VijayKumar-es7th
    @VijayKumar-es7th 27 днів тому +1

    Yes make video of 250 km hr train.

  • @AJS90210
    @AJS90210 28 днів тому +1

    Great vlog! 🫡 Didn’t Bald & Bankrupt do this trip?? 😎

  • @bus72-video-tyumen
    @bus72-video-tyumen 25 днів тому +1

    10:40 Since these are technical stations, there should be no new passengers on them, which means there is no one to sell tickets there, respectively, the train does not stop. In most cases, these stations are intended for freight trains

  • @moneypi9584
    @moneypi9584 29 днів тому +1

    Afrosiyob 👇

  • @daseteam
    @daseteam 27 днів тому

    Why not tell everybody where their word for Station comes from?

  • @tdb7992
    @tdb7992 29 днів тому +1

    Is Uzbekistan the country where government employees and students would always be rounded up to go work on the cotton fields? Apparently 'officials' would show up in Govt offices, schools etc. rounding up people to go pick cotton and the local population hated it. I remember it was talked about in one of the diplomatic cables that Wikileaks published.

  • @top10idk
    @top10idk 29 днів тому

    Still waiting for Indonesia Suite class/Panoramic and Aussie The Ghan

  • @O.OEVA-OC
    @O.OEVA-OC 24 дні тому +2

    I really love your videos, and I don't mean to hate, but please, do something about your music choice. The no copyright electronic music sounds very unfitting and can get annoying at times.

  • @camotech1314
    @camotech1314 29 днів тому +1

    Bro, they probably don't like you booking all the beds in the coupe. 😅 Didin't they ask you for extra money before?

  • @stanislavkostarnov2157
    @stanislavkostarnov2157 29 днів тому +1

    as far as I remember, immediately after the Fall of the USSR the Fergana Valley was basically a warzone due to an ongoing boarder dispute, with elements of attempted Ethnic cleansing on both sides...
    (maybe somewhat thanks to the Chinese mediation) this is a much more peaceful place now, but tensions between various local groups do occasionally flare up, requiring a constant "peacekeeping presence" in some parts of the district...
    of the tunnel mystery, I guess there is a fear of bombs being planted by Tajik insurgents (fighting against control of the territory by Uzbekistan) or by radical Islamist groups... both are realistic threats to contend with. though, some of these measures, it is also possible, are due to dangerous gasses within the tunnel. I know that has been a problem with other tunneling in the area before (my uncle being head of one of the Tunnel-Building administrations for the region during the Soviet period had to regularly deal with balancing that issue and whatever pressure to built they were getting from Moscow, it is possible, that the new administration decided to cut a few corners...) with the blinds being closed to prevent people from seeing any of the cracks and failures they were trying to mend.

  • @hgmvhf
    @hgmvhf Місяць тому

    Love your vids, great to see rail options from all over the world in such detail.
    But man when you say $18 for 20 hours on a train is "pretty good" value it's jarring. Would it be great value if they paid you to go?

  • @kurbads987
    @kurbads987 Місяць тому +4

    i guess you dont really like afganistan :D

  • @richardmellish2371
    @richardmellish2371 21 день тому +1

    You could save yourself some time and make these videos pleasanter to wath by not bother to add "music" to the sections where you are not speaking.

  • @sk1nzsk1nz34
    @sk1nzsk1nz34 21 день тому +2

    Mate, the only interesting thing on the train and you didn't know it was there. Sorry, I laughed out loud when you said that.
    It's no good, you'll have to go again and report back on the restaurant car.

  • @tonys1636
    @tonys1636 29 днів тому +2

    Your exploration of the train was not that thorough as you missed the dining car, first thing I look for. What's with the locking the loos, we all know not to use in a station when not a vacuum one, they were standard in UK up to about 25 years ago. Average speed of 40mph is snail pace, even the cars were going quicker.

  • @deano_bites
    @deano_bites 29 днів тому

    Looks better then the UK transport system and this is meant to be a third world country !

  • @gazza1858
    @gazza1858 Місяць тому +4

    Funny how these folks don’t try and cross channel illegally!

  • @primelegionaries1413
    @primelegionaries1413 29 днів тому

    its pronounced pri-vacy not pre-vacy