Tatra Electric Railway

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Tatra Electric Railway
Operation
Infrastructure company Železnice Slovenskej republiky (ŽSR)
Major operators Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK)
System length
Total 35 km (22 mi)
Electrified 35 km (22 mi)
Track gauge
1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge Whole network
Electrification
1,500 V DC Whole network
Features
Highest elevation 1,350 m (4,430 ft)
 at Štrbské Pleso
Lowest elevation 670 m (2,200 ft)
 at Poprad-Tatry
Map

The Tatra Electric Railway (Slovak: Tatranská elektrická železnica), colloquially Tatra Railway, is an electrified (1500 V DC) single track narrow gauge railway (1000 mm) in the Slovak part of the Tatra mountains. It consists of two parts:

History

After the completion of the Košice-Bohumín Railway in 1871 and of Poprad - Kežmarok in 1892, the High Tatras were easier to access, and tourism expanded, which required accessibility. In 1896, a rack railway from Štrbské Pleso to Štrba was built.

Finally, it was decided to build an electrified, narrow gauge railway from Poprad to Starý Smokovec. Construction started in 1906 and the track was opened in 1908. The leg from Starý Smokovec to Tatranská Lomnica was opened in 1911 and a final part from Starý Smokovec to Štrbské Pleso was opened in 1912. At that time, the railway was used for passenger, as well for cargo transport.

In 1948, the railway was nationalised, from 1950 to 1992 it was managed by the Czechoslovak State Railways and since 1993 by the Railways of the Slovak Republic.

In the second half of 1960s, the railway underwent major reconstruction during preparations for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 1970 and since 1970 only a passenger service is provided.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the old ČSD Class EMU 89.0 trains built by ČKD in the 1960s were replaced by new Stadler GTW ZSSK Class 425.95 railcars.

Network map

Tatra Electric Railway network (interactive version)

Gallery

  • Tatra railway in Poprad

  • Train station in Starý Smokovec, with old set of trains

  • Train stop in Tatranské Zruby

  • Train station in Štrbské Pleso, transfer point between the Tatra electric railway and the Štrbské Pleso - Štrba rack railway

  • Station at Tatranská Lomnica

  • Station at Starý Smokovec

See also

References

    External links

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