Gyermekvasút

Gyermekvasút
Train at Normafa station
Overview
Termini Széchenyi-hegy
Hűvösvölgy
Stations 7
Operation
Opened 1948
Owner Hungarian State Railways (MÁV)
Operator(s) Hungarian State Railways (MÁV)
Technical
Track length 11.2 km (7.0 mi)
Track gauge 760 mm (2 ft 5 15⁄16 in)
Operating speed 20 km/h (12 mph)
Route map
Legend
 0 Széchenyi-hegy
 0.8 Normafa mh.
 1.7 Csillebércformerly Úttörőváros
 3.0 Virágvölgyex-Előre
 4.5 Jánoshegy
 5,7 Vadaspark mh.
 Viaduct over Budakeszi út
 6.7 Szépjuhásznéformerly Ságvári-liget
 Kishárshegy mh.closed
 8.7 Hárshegy
 Tunnel
 Viaduct over Nagykovácsi út
 11.2 Hűvösvölgy

The Gyermekvasút (English: Children's Railway) or Line 7 is a narrow gauge railway line in Budapest, which connects Széchényi-hegy and Hűvösvölgy and is 11.2 km long. The former name of the line was Úttörővasút (Pioneer Railway, in reference to the communist scouts), and now the official designation is MÁV Zrt. Széchenyi-hegyi Gyermekvasút. Except the train driver, all of the posts are operated by children aged 10–14[1] under adult supervision.[2] It is the world's largest Children's Railway.[3]

History

In 1947, the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) company decided that a railway operated by children would be built. For the railway construction several sites were considered, including the neighbourhood of the Gödöllő Palace, Margaret Island and the Népliget, but finally in 1948 the Hungarian Communist Party choose the Buda Hills. The construction started on April 11, 1948.

The first section, from Széchenyi-hegy to Előre station (now Virágvölgy) was inaugurated on July 31, 1948. The second section, to Ságváriliget (now Szépjuhászné), was completed one year later, and the last section, to Hűvösvölgy, was opened on 20 August 1950.[4]

During the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 the railway was closed but was not damaged. It reopened on 3 February 1957.[5]

A museum at Hűvösvölgy station displays some items from the Communist period.[6]

Stations

Station Connection
Széchenyihegy 60
Normafa 21, 21A
Csillebérc 21
Virágvölgy
Jánoshegy
Szépjuhászné 22, 222
Hárs-hegy
Hűvösvölgy 56, 56A, 59B, 61

29, 57, 63, 64, 64A, 157, 164, 257, 264

References

  1. ↑ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/hungary/budapest/sights/natural-landmarks/buda-hills
  2. ↑ "Introduction". gyermekvasut.hu. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  3. ↑ http://www.gyermekvasut.hu/english/page.php?2
  4. ↑ http://www.gyermekvasut.hu/english/page.php?26
  5. ↑ http://www.gyermekvasut.hu/english/page.php?27
  6. ↑ http://visitbudapest.travel/activities/fun-things-to-do/childrens-railway/

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 9/29/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.