08.09.2011

To mark the 150^th anniversary of the railway line Riga-Daugavpils, Latvijas Pasts has issued a special envelope depicting one of the first railroad routes in Latvia. The first-day event of the envelope will take place on Monday, September 12, in post office Sakta, 32 Brīvības Boulevard, Riga, from 7:30 AM to 8 PM.

Artist Ģirts Grīva has illustrated the envelope with a historical locomotive that was used to ensure passenger transport. The background of the locomotive is a part of the map of Latvia in the beginning of the 20^th century, with the route of the railway line highlighted. The cancellation released along with the envelope graphically depicts a locomotive wheel. The envelopes with the first-day cancellation will be available for purchase for LVL 0.35, with a print run of 1000 copies.

The railway line Riga-Daugavpils, which is one of the first railway lines in Latvia, was built in 1861 and spans 218 km. During the First World War, almost the entire Riga-Daugavpils railway was in close proximity to the front line, resulting in major damage: destruction of many station buildings, bridges, culverts, and railway tracks. When the infrastructure was restored, only a single railroad track was built in the sections between stations.After the Second World War, traffic in this railway line increased: the second track between Riga and Skrīveri was gradually restored, as were the tracks in some sections between stations. The section Riga-Ogre was electrified in 1959; Ogre-Jumprava was electrified in 1968, and Jumprava-Aizkraukle - in 1969.

The next new philatelic issue is planned for September 23.

About JSC Latvijas Pasts

Latvijas Pasts ensures the widest availability of postal services throughout Latvia by maintaining more than 600 post offices. The primary function of the company is provision of the universal postal service; Latvijas Pasts also provides philately, transport and express mail, financial intermediation, payment, press subscription and retail services. Latvijas Pasts is a fully state-owned company with approximately 5000 employees.

Additional information:
Agija Tērauda,
JSC Latvijas Pasts
Public Relations Specialist
Phone: +371 67608504
E-mail: agija.terauda@pasts.lv
www.pasts.lv