Hungary’s oldest narrow-gauge railway, the Zsuzsi Forest Railway, celebrates its 142nd birthday in July. On Saturday 13 July, Zsuzsi’s oldest railway is the oldest railway in Hungary.
142 years ago, on 16 July 1882, the first section of Hungary’s first narrow-gauge railway was opened between Debrecen-Fatelep and Nyírmártonfalva, and the Zsuzsi has been making its steady rounds in the Erdőspuszták region around Debrecen ever since. Originally used to transport timber from the Gút forest, the Zsuzsi Forest Railway, now operating exclusively 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 color, but also because it is the only one of its kind in Hungary.
Zsuzsi will celebrate the two anniversaries together with passengers on Saturday 13 July. The birthday locomotive will of course be on display alongside the other locomotives of the fleet, but there will also be a number of other interesting activities and events at the Zsuzsi’s starting station on Ruyter Street, en route and at the terminus in Hármashegyalja.
Zsuzsi enthusiasts have become accustomed to the fact that the July birthday is a highlight in the railway’s program 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 Wooded Plains around Debrecen.
“The birthday celebrations started on 1 May, and since then we have been offering traditional and nature-related programs almost every weekend, linked to special days and holidays. This will also be the theme of the birthday on 13 July, when all the locomotives of the Zsuzsi fleet will be on display, from the steam locomotive that entered its centenary year last year to the Piroska, which celebrates its birthday this year, but there will also be an exhibition on the history of the railway, a field table presentation, a guided forest tour and, of course, the inevitable birthday cake”, said Hajnalka Makóné Fogarasi Fogarasi, Managing Director of Zsuzsi Forest Railway.
The festive program will start at 9 am at the station at 1 Ruyter Street with welcoming speeches and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. At the station, there will be an exhibition of collectors’ items by Mihály Molnár with a number of special small railway relics, and an exhibition entitled the Land of the Mushrooms. There will also be a field table, courtesy of the Friends of the Zsuzsi Little Railway and the Zsuzsi Little Railway Foundation.
The festive shuttle will depart at 9:30 a.m. for Hármashegyalja, where you will be accompanied by an expert tour guide to discover the Hármashegyja forest. Participants will learn about the history of the Zsuzsi Forest Railway and learn in a playful and interactive way about the relationship between habitat and species, conservation and the importance of sustainability. The program will also feature the saved and cured birds of the Hortobágy Bird Hospital and Bird Park, who will be available to meet in person before they are released. One of the birds will be released by the staff of the bird park together with the visitors and will be able to return to the wild after its recovery.
The birthday cake in the shape of the train will be cut and offered in the inner garden of the Ruyter Street station at 13:30.
Detailed program of the birthday celebrations on 13 July:
09:00 Ceremonial opening, welcome speeches, unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the starting station at 1 Ruyter Street
09:30 Train departure for Hármashegyalja
10:20 Arrival of the train to Hármashegyalja
10:30 Guided nature walk with nature education guide Varga Edit
11:30 Interactive learning and playing with the staff of the Hortobágy Bird Hospital and Bird Park
12:30 Train back to Debrecen
13:30 Cutting of the birthday cake at the starting station in Ruyter Street
Timetable on Saturday 13 July:
Train departures to Hármashegyalja: 09.30, 10.00, 14.00
Train return to Debrecen: 12.30, 14.00, 16.30
Passengers on the return train from Hármashegyalja at 14.00 will be able to witness an unusual locomotive meeting at Erdészlak station, where they will be able to observe the so-called “cross” from the train.
