Black Hron Railway

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Region: Banska Bystrica Region
District: Brezno
City / Municipality: Čierny Balog
Tourist location: Horehronie (Upper Hron River region / Horné Pohronie)
Mountains:Vepor Mountains (Veporské vrchy)
Category: Historical railways in Slovakia
Black Hron Railway (Čiernohronská lesná železnica - ČHZ) - Slovakia
Black Hron Railway (Čiernohronská lesná železnica - ČHZ)
Black Hron Railway (Čiernohronská lesná železnica - ČHZ)
Black Hron Railway (Čiernohronská lesná železnica - ČHZ)
The operation of Čiernohronská railway is provided on a renovated section of line from the Chvatimech to Čierny Balog, Vydrovská Valley and to Dobroč, all together 20 km. Engine park consists of four steam locomotives, five motor locomotives and a renovated railcar M21 004. The locomotives are in operation along with a set of historic passenger wagons. Part of them, including the restaurant wagon are in design of summer sightseeing wagons, which enhance the direct experience of ride and nature.

Services

- Special trains on order throughout the year
- Train ride for induvidual travelers on different routes during the season
- School trips
- Events for companies and travel agencies
- Summer School for steam engine train-driver

We also offer accompanying program
 
Bandits attack the train, folk music, accordion, folk ensemble performances, food + drink on the train, picnics in the countryside

Orders for a ride are possible at any time throughout the year
 
If you are interested in a special train for friends, colleagues or for another opportunity, please contact us.

History

History of Čiernohronská railway began in 1908 when the first stretch of track from the Hronec to Čierny Blh (now Čierny Balog) was built with traditional narrow track gauge 760 mm. The first steam train began regular operation on 8th of January 1909 on the 10.4 km long stretch. Other sub-circuits leading to the majority of the valleys of the River Čierny Hron were built gradually, with the assistance of prisoners from World War I. The total length was 131.98 kilometers and reached the climb up to the Dobročský rain forest under massive of Klenovský Vepor. 115 employees secured the operation in the heyday period and in addition to conveying timber (up to 330,000 m3 per year), it transported from 200 to 250 people daily. The railway was in the regular operation until 1982. Despite considerable public opposition, based on Government decision, all operations on the remaining 36 km of railway were terminated on 31st of December 1982. At that time it was already the last forest railway in Slovakia.

All equipment - rails, locomotives and coaches were destined for scrapping! Only the enthusiasm and the personal courage of those who managed to stand up to unreasonable bureaucratic decision of former party and government, saved this railway. But it was just a beginning of a long struggle to preserve the railway. Thanks to the last dispatcher Mr. Clement Auxt and local activists the railway entered into the Central government list of cultural monuments.

A group of architects from URBION Banská Bystrica initiated continuous work on the restoration and re-launch in the summer of the 1983rd. In the same year tradition of volunteers camps and brigades “Tree of Life” began. It was the last employee of forest plant, linesman Julko Kovalčík "Krasnik", who gave his experience and helped those volunteers to restore the track. The rail traffic was restored on 1. of May 1992 between the Čierny Balog and Vydrovská valley and from the Hronec to Balog in the following year. The Association of the local communities “Čierny Hron microregion” is the owner and operator of Čiernohronská Railway since 1995. The carrier - Čiernohronská railway, non-profit organization, is provider of transport and public services since 2001.

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