Steam in Hungary

Travel behind some of the most impressive main line steam locomotives in Central Europe against a backdrop of historic cities and inspiring landscapes on this exciting new tour.

• Enjoy the best of Hungarian main line steam, including the ancient 4-4-0 tender locomotive Nr.204 from 1900 as well as the impressive 4-8-0 424.009 built in 1924.
• Experience narrow-gauge steam with private charters at the steeply graded Buda and idyllic Balatonfenyves railways with powerful 0-8-0 tank engines from the early 20th century.
• Conveniently based in the beautiful capital city of Budapest throughout, with added attractions such as a sightseeing by vintage tram, rides on the historic rack railway and Buda Castle funicular.
• Enjoy ample free time in Budapest using your complimentary public transport rover ticket, plus a visit to the stunning New York Palace Grand Café with lunch and drinks included.
  

Wednesday 19th February
Arrive to Budapest
You have a morning flight from London to Budapest, the capital of Hungary, where you check into an elegant city centre hotel, your base for the duration of the tour. After a welcome lunch at the hotel, you’ll also receive a public transport rover ticket valid for the entire stay, to be used for leisure and exploration in the city. (L)

Thursday 20th February
Steam at the Buda Narrow Gauge Railway, Buda Rack Railway and Buda Castle funicular
A first day of steam awaits, as you enjoy a private charter at the 11.2 km long Buda narrow gauge railway, located in the hills high above the Danube. You reach the Hűvösvölgy depot of the railway on the scenic urban tram route travelling in a vintage vehicle, before experiencing an eastbound, uphill steam run to the western terminus Széchenyi hegy, using the historic 0-8-0 tank engine 490.039 from 1942. Along the way there will be steep gradients to overcome and photo stops provided.
After arrival to Széchenyi hegy you journey downhill to Városmajor on the 3.7 km long Buda rack railway, the only such mountain-climbing railway in Hungary, first opened in 1874.
Then you proceed by tramway to the famed New York Palace Grand Café for lunch, taking in this grandest of European grand cafes in its grade listed building from 1894. After refreshments you continue to the banks of the River Danube, where you round off the day with a trip on the teak-bodied historic Buda Castle funicular, an engineering landmark dating from 1870. Enjoy the stunning views as you ascend to the landmark palace high above the city, before you return to your hotel. (B L)

Friday 21st February
Steam with 424.009 in Budapest
After breakfast, you visit the famed Budapest railway heritage park with its iconic roundhouse. There, the powerful 4-8-0 tender locomotive built in 1924 will haul a private charter train on the mile long branch line, while also staging run-pasts, giving cab rides and movement on the turntable, allowing plenty of photo’s or videos to capture this. After a chance to see the largest collection of preserved steam locomotives in Hungary and lunch in a historic dining car, you continue by direct transfer to the Istvantelek steam workshop and then the Budapest Technical Museum, where more preserved steam locomotives can be seen. Alternatively, after lunch at the roundhouse, you may spend an afternoon at leisure and enjoying all the cultural attractions of Hungary’s vibrant capital city.
(B L)

Saturday 22nd February
Main line steam with 204 to Gödöllő, Vácrátót and Vác
A real steam treat awaits today with the ancient 4-4-0 tender locomotive from 1900 in action on the Hungarian main line. With its large driving wheels, this express locomotive brings back ‘high speed’ rail travel from the early 20th century and will once again be put through its paces on the fast route east of Budapest.
After a regal reception at the Royal Waiting Room of the Gustave Eiffel-built Nyugati station, you then depart on the main line to Gödöllő, where you visit the famed summer palace of Empress Elizabeth. Later you continue via Aszód and the ‘freight-only’ secondary line to Vácrátót and Vác, with lunch being served on the train in the classic dining car. Photo stops are included along the way. In the late afternoon, you return to Budapest Nyugati, having completed a full circular journey. (B L)

Sunday 23rd February
Lake Balaton and Balatonfenyves narrow gauge railway
Today you see Hungary’s most famous lake, as you travel with a loco-hauled MAV express train from Budapest Deli station to Balaton. You will race along the scenic east bank of Lake Balaton, with fine views of the volcanic hillside landscapes to the west. You arrive in Balatonfenyves by late morning and then have a private charter train on the delightful and idyllic Balatonfenyves narrow gauge railway. You will travel over both branches, with the train pausing for photos and run-pasts. Motive power for the day is provided by MAV’s 0-8-0 steam locomotive 490.053. After lunch and the round-trip on the narrow gauge railway, you return by express electric service from Balatonfenyves to Budapest Deli. (B L)

Monday 24th February
Budapest at leisure and return to London
For the morning and early afternoon there is time for you to see and experience more of Budapest at your own leisure. There is so much to do and something for every interest. In the middle of the afternoon you then have a direct coach transfer to the airport for the return flight to London. (B)