The Chosen Realm

Day 3 : 22nd September 2004

Train Reporting Code:
RK : 08.50 Lenti to Harki

Tour Review
(from Trevor Cockram)

A full day on the narrow gauge was not the top priority for some in the party and after a late night, an early breakfast to allow for a 07:30 departure may not have been the best combination for some. It was a depleted party that set off somewhat latter than planned in a Cummins powered Ikarus coach. After a long cross-country journey that included a tour of Lenti bus depot, we arrived at Lenti AEV station 17 minutes behind schedule.

For operational reasons it had been necessary to move our train across the main line before our arrival so for the track bashers we need to go back to get that track in.  As the normal passenger service is being extended by a hundred metres of so to a new station in the next year, it is reason enough to come back. Our host for the day was the Permanent Way Superintendent of the line gave a very brief introduction before heading off to our train just beyond the MÁV Rédics standard gauge branch line. The arrangement for the narrow gauge crossing the standard gauge is rather unusual as is illustrated in the photo gallery of this tour. There are ramps for the narrow gauge stock to run up and jump over the standard gauge track, which is continuous. There is a lock across the narrow gauge track to give a degree of protection from a conflicting movement.

A train consisted of loco AEV 12 C50-410 and two closed coaches which had been provided with cushions for the long journey ahead. Having missed out on the first crossing we experienced this novel arrangement in crossing a standard gauge goods line that once served a military depot, but now looks out of use. A photo stop was made by a bridge over a river before reaching Zajda Doboskert. Just beyond here we took the Szilvágy 26km long freight only branch. This line is under threat of closure with half of the line already out of use. We were able to travel as far as the run round loop at Pörkölt 10.4kms from Lenti, which was near an area of woodland recently felled and replanted with saplings. Freight track still runs to here and the track was being maintained by a length-man that we passed on the way. A stop was made at an old forest hut that was used in the past by hunters and is one of a few remaining in this part of Hungary. Returning to Zajda Doboskert we took the second side of the triangle towards the passenger line. Here we waited just short of the junction for C50-401 to arrive with the passenger service train 31513 from Lenti. After a photostop where one of the service train passengers who was also taking part almost got left behind, it was time to traverse the third side of the triangle before following the service train. This 7 km section of line is quite new being completed in 2000 and is to a high standard and connects what were two separate systems.

Quite high speeds were possible on the downgrade past the waterworks before we reached the MÁV line again, a quick photostop was made at the crossing before arriving at the headquarters of the line at Csömödér station. Some of the party transferred to the service train to get the loco for the 2km down to Páka, whilst the less desperate had a conducted tour of the depot and made use of the bar and other facilities. In the timer yard near to the main line station is plinthed steam loco 357.305 a 1917 Orenstein & Koppel Berlin built 0-6-0 "Muki" which may in the long term return to steam. The same could not be said of the yellow C50 locos which were in a very derelict condition at the back of the yard.

Pride of the shed is a 1956 Romanian built ex CFF 2-6-0 tank 490,2002 named Ábel, sister engine to the one at Kaszó yesterday. This engine is operational, but has very limited route availability. The same is true of the two ex-MÁV Mk 48 diesel locos which were placed outside the shed in a good position for photographs. One of these Mk48 1005 is the last Mk48 with the original mechanical gear. The other hydraulic version Mk48 2015 is serviceable and all three should see more use when the track improvements on the Kistolmács passenger line are completed.

During the shed visit train 31512 arrived returning those who had done the insect move. Our loco had been changed to red liveried C50-409 to the remainder of the tour. Passing through Páka the supermarket used by the loco bashing group was noted, but had closed, for lunch, they had probably seen more business today than most. At Törösnek the Szentpéterfölde branch goes off, but this was not available for our tour. A photostop was made at Kámaházi erdészlak where a short funicular line used to be. A further stop was made at Bánokszentgyörgyi elágazás where we waited for train 31514 to return for the end of the passenger line at Kistolmács. In theory it would have been possible to get this train and cover all the passenger track, but we didn't know it would have connected.

Now came one of the more bizarre stops for a railtour, near to Váfölde we came to a stop in a cutting in a wooded area where our guide was keen that we saw a rare orchid. It was pink and had reverse petals, however I have been unable to identify it, hence the name of the stop! The passing loop at Bánokszentgyörgy was in still operation, but no traffic, but at Bánkürtösi elágazás where a C50 was waiting on a permanent way train. We took the Bánkürtösi line, but more fun was to be had at Bucsuta. I don't know if I should be writing this but as the story can been seen in pictures, there's no harm done! There is a weak wooden bridge which the crew were not happy for us to cross loaded, in fact they sent everyone across on foot and then sent the empty and driverless train across, just in case the bridge failed. All aboard again making slow progress to the end of the line at Bánkürtösi which is a dead end in the woods. We propelled back to Bánkürtösi kitéró before the loco ran round. It was necessary for everyone to walk back over the bridge at Bucsuta as before. As there is no run round loop at Bánkürtösi elágazás a shunt release was necessary. The permanent way train had left so it was up to us to hand shunt the carriages clear for the loco to go on the front. As we passed through Oltárc we were reassured that the coach was on hand to get us back to the hotel, but not before we had completed the last branch of the day. A rather old lorry was alongside the track loading with logs, at the end of the forest road. The Egervölgyi line doesn't appear to have much use as it climb towards the hills in the south. The line terminates in open moorland at a place called Márki (note the spelling) where we reached the stops. Time to get back to the coach which had driven up to the end of the made-up road at a place marked on the map as Györgyerdi rakodó. The journey back to the hotel appeared to me to be a long way round, mostly using of main roads. A thunderstorm could be seen in the distance, and by the time we got back to Keszthely it was clear they had experienced it.

The quality of some of the maps we were given on the day were OK, but the names were not clear but I have found the originals on the web (www.kisvasut.hu/terkeptar). The text is in Hungarian and is very clear.

Tonights meal was one of the best, in a restaurant close to the station.

Route, Distances and Timing's (Actual Only)
(by Andy Powis/Trevor Cockram)

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