Gyermekvasút

Gyermekvasút
Train at Normafa station
Overview
Termini Széchényi-hegy
Hűvösvölgy
Stations 7
Operation
Opening 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 1516 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
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 Széchényi Hill to Előre station (now Virágvölgy) was inaugurated on July 31, 1948. The second section, to Ságvári-liget (now Szépjuhászné), was completed one year later, and the last section, to Hűvösvölgy, was opened on the 20th August 1950.[4]

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

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

Stations

Station Connection
Széchényihegy 60
Normafa 21, 21A
Csillebérc 21
Virágvölgy
Jánoshegy
Szépjuhászné 22, 222
Hárs-hegy
Hűvösvölgy 61

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

References

External links