Embark on a time-transcending journey this weekend amid sweet scenes and sweeping vistas. Served by Communist-era trains, the line spans Hűvösvölgy and Széchenyi Hill, taking in forested Normafa on the way. This is the longest narrow-gauge children’s railway line in the world, which earns it inclusion in the The Guinness Book of Records. Uniformed youngsters fill all positions from conductors to signalmen, and the Children’s Railway runs all year long. See the schedule here.
On Saturday, this special attraction turns 70, awaiting everyone with various family-friendly events. From 10am, a brass band made up of former and current scouts entertains the arriving crowd at the Széchenyi Hill station. Afterwards, a special train of nostalgic carriages sets off from here, heading to Hűvösvölgy. Tickets for this vintage voyage can be purchased at the Széchenyi Hill station in the morning and are also valid for lunch at the final station and admission to the Children’s Railway Museum, with its display of Communist-era relics.
In the afternoon, a C50-type locomotive made of’ supersized Lego bricks will be attached to a 1929 vintage carriage to serve a section of the narrow-gauge line, providing playful rides to passengers. Please bear in mind that to hop on, an extra ticket is required on top of a regular ticket. The Lego locomotive runs between Hűvösvölgy and Szépjuhászné. More details
During the day, an Ikarus 415-type nostalgia bus also runs between the Hűvösvölgy station and the bus garage in Óbuda, calling at Széll Kálmán tér and the Buda side of the Margaret Bridge. Several family-friendly events are held in the bus garage, too, thanks to Budapest’s BKV public transit company, celebrating its own 50th anniversary this year.
See the Children’s Railway website for more details.
