Local services
Hungary’s oldest small railway, the Zsuzsi Forest Railway, celebrates its 142nd anniversary, to mark this special anniversary, Zsuzsi Forest Railway fans are invited to a big birthday party on Saturday the 13th of July.
142 years ago, on the 16th of July 1882, the first section of the country’s first narrow-gauge railway was opened between Debrecen-Fatelep and Nyírmártonfalva, and “Zsuzsi” has been making its steady rounds in the Erdőspuszták region around Debrecen ever since.
The Zsuzsi Forest Railway, originally used for transporting timber from the Gúti forest, now exclusively used as a tourist train, will celebrate not only its 142nd birthday in 2024, but also another anniversary, the GEBUS electric diesel shunting locomotive, named “Piroska” (Little Red Riding Hood), will turn 70 this year.
The diesel locomotive, one of the jewels of the existing fleet, is a unique piece of equipment in its own right, not only because of its unique red colour, but also because it is the only one of its kind in Hungary.
The two anniversaries are celebrated together with passengers on Saturday. The birthday locomotive will of course be on display alongside the other locomotives of the fleet, but there are still many interesting things and programs waiting for visitors at Zsuzsi Forest Railway’s Ruyter Street starting station, on the way and at the final station.
Fans of Zsuzsi have become accustomed to the fact that the July birthday is a special event in the railway’s programme every year.
This day is all about raising awareness of this unique national transport monument, which not only offers a special travel experience, but also an excellent opportunity to get to know the natural values of the Erdőspuszták around Debrecen.
“The birthday celebrations started already on the 1st of May, and since then we have been hosting traditional and nature-related activities for our passengers almost every weekend, linked to special days and holidays. The birthday on 13 July will be held in this spirit, when all the locomotives of the Zsuzsi fleet will be on display, from the steam locomotive that entered its centenary year last year to “Piroska”, which celebrates its birthday this year, but there will also be an exhibition on the history of the small railway, a field table presentation, a guided forest tour and, of course, the inevitable birthday cake”, Managing Director of Zsuzsi Forest Railway, “Hajnalka Makóné Fogarasi said.
Programmes:
09:00 a.m. Ceremonial opening, welcome speeches, unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the starting station at 1 Ruyter Street
Meanwhile: the exhibition on the history of the railway and the exhibition of the Natural History Museum titled “In the land of mushrooms” can be visited, and there will also be a Field table presentation held.
09:30 a.m. Train departure for Hármashegyalja
10:20 a.m. Arrival of the train to Hármashegyalja
10:30 a.m. Guided nature walk with nature education guide Varga Edit from “Természettár” (Store of Nature)
11:30 a.m. Interactive learning and playing with the staff of the Hortobágy Bird Hospital and Bird Park at Természet Háza (House of Nature)
12:30 p.m. Train back to Debrecen
1:30 p.m. Cutting of the birthday cake at the starting station in Ruyter Street
Extraordinary timetable on the 13th of July:
Trains’ departure to Hármashegyalja: 09.30 a.m. , 10.00 a.m., 2.00 p.m.
Trains’ return to Debrecen: 12.30 p.m., 2.00 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
Source:dehir.hu, https://zsuzsivasut.hu/programajanlo/
