Children's Railway Day In Budapest, On Saturday

  • 10 Apr 2014 10:45 AM
Children's Railway Day In Budapest, On Saturday
April 12th is the date this year for the Children's Railway Day in Hungary. As usual it offers a special train ride and unique programmes, as the 'heritage railcar set' turns 85 years old this year and it's a rare occasion for this railcar to haul more than one of its trailers at the same time.

At this year's Children's Railway Day passengers will have the chance to ride it along the whole line, from Szechenyi-hegy to Huvosvolgy.

At the end of this journey in Huvosvolgy, following lunch, visitors will be invited to the recently re-engineered Children's Railway Museum and the depot area. Also a 'Forest Cognition Activity' will be presented.

The programme of this year's Children's Railway Day has been set up to provide an interesting and eventful day out for all ages. Also, most of the programmes will go ahead even in unpleasant weather conditions.

Opening at Szechenyi-hegy Station

In the morning, from about 10 o'clock, spectators are going to be treated to open air music at Szechenyi-hegy Station. It will be provided by the Children's Railway nostalgia brass band.

By public transportation, Szechenyi-hegy Station can be reached from Szell Kalman ter (formerly known as Moszkva ter) as follows: Take trams 59 or 61 to Varosmajor where change over to the Cogwheel Railway (also known as service 60) and ride it to Szechenyi-hegy, Gyermekvasut terminus. The Children's Railway's station is a few minutes' walk from there.

At about 10:15 hrs the flag of the Foundation for Hungarian Transport Education is going to be hoisted ceremoniously. The chairman of the foundation and the manager of the Children's Railway are going to greet visitors shortly.

The Children's Railway Day Special is scheduled to depart Szechenyi-hegy Station at 10:50 hrs. It will be hauled by the now 85-year-old heritage railcar. The trainset will comprise of its trailers.

Brief photo calls are scheduled in Viragvolgy and Hars-hegy Stations.

Introduction to the Forest Cognition Activity

Those interested can join an introduction to the Forest Cognition Activity.

The participants will disembark the special service at Hars-hegy Station and continue to Huvosvolgy on foot through the woods. Along the way, a graduated forest lecturer will introduce them to the flora and fauna of the nearby forests.

The introductory activity is going to be repeated in the afternoon. Registration will be introduced on both instances. It will be possible to register one's place along with booking tickets for the Children's Railway Day Special.

For obvious reasons, the programme will be available only in Hungarian.

Lunch and programmes in Huvosvolgy

The special service is going to terminate at Huvosvolgy Station. The lunch will be served in our Community Building.

In the afternoon the depot area is going to be open to visitors. The vehicles not in operation at the time and the equipment used for their maintenance are going to be on display there.

Participants will also be invited to visit the Children's Railway Museum. The exhibition on the past of our institution has recently been completely revamped. There are many just discovered contemporary newspaper articles, documents and photos in the showcases. Newly introduced interactive games also add to the experience.

The modelling club of the Foundation for Children's Railway Participants are going to present model layouts, window models and railway relics in their exhibition room.

By public transportation, to head back to Szell Kalman ter (Moszkva ter), take tram 61 in Huvosvolgy. Those arriving by car at Szechenyi-hegy Station can make a return journey on board one of our scheduled train services. The last one departs Huvosvolgy Station at 17:00 hrs on the date of the Children's Railway Day.

Tickets

Tickets for the Children's Railway Day Special are going to be made available at Szechenyi-hegy Station before departure on the day of the event.

Adult tickets will cost HUF 1500, tickets for 6-14-year-olds HUF 900. Under 6-year-olds will be offered a free ride.

Tickets are going to include the ride on the special service, participation on the associated programmes and the lunch in Huvosvolgy. But they will not include the optional return ride back to Szechenyi-hegy Station.

Days of Narrow Gauge Railways of the Carpathian Basin

The Children's Railway Day, taking place traditionally on the second Saturday of every April, is also the starting event of the event series called Days of Narrow Gauge Railways of the Carpathian Basin.

Joining narrow gauge lines are given a dedicated day each between early spring and late autumn when they can offer unique programmes to the general public.

The Days of Narrow Gauge Railways of the Carpathian Basin is managed by the Foundation for Hungarian Transport Education. It has been taking place since 1995 at their initiative.

Source: Children's Railway

Related article:

Introducing Children's Railway Museum In Budapest

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