Gemenc Forest Railway

The first simple horse-drawn railway was laid down at the end of the 19th century in the Gemenc forest. This narrow-gauge railway was not particularly long-lived, though it was extended several times both in track length and rolling stock, depending on which forest section was planned to be harvested. The very simple forest railway construction (instead of proper sleepers, oak billets lay on a coarse gravel bed, and rails were laid on them) operated until the early 1920s. Although a coach shed was still built in 1916, in 1922 the then 3,301 meters track was removed. The removed narrow-gauge railway became a stalking path serving hunting purposes, with rails reused for making barriers. The rolling stock (log transport and firewood transport wagons) was transferred to the Kalocsa-Meszes narrow-gauge railway.

The narrow-gauge railway was resurrected in 1955: at this time, the Gemenc-Keselyűs line was built, followed by new sections. In 1963, a branch line leading to Gemenc-Ásásduna was built up to the Szomfová forest section; two years later, the section between Pörböly and Nyárilegelő was completed. After another year, in 1966, the two separate narrow-gauge lines were connected, so the track then reached from Keselyűs to Pörböly. A mainline connection was established in Pörböly, and several branch lines were built.

In 1982, the narrow-gauge railway was extended to Bárányfok, bringing one terminus a few kilometers from Szekszárd city center, but the previously mentioned branch lines (e.g., to Szomfová and Alsógemenc) were dismantled – only the branch line to Gemenc-Dunapart remained – and today trains run only on the "main line," only up to Keselyűs, not reaching Bárányfok.

The railway's motive power depot consists of small C50 locomotives, none in original condition; all have been rebuilt with hydraulic transmissions, with only the main frame (chassis) and axles remaining from the original locomotives. For example, the small locomotive with number CDH08-401 looks nothing like a C50; only trained eyes can recognize the kinship. The steam locomotive named Rezét was purchased from Romania in 2000, having worked in Borsec until becoming a tourist attraction in Gemenc.

On the forest railway following the Danube and Sió lines, besides passenger transport, the transport of harvested timber is also important, so freight trains regularly operate on the Gemenc Forest Railway.

Stations:

• *
• *
• *
• *
• (Szekszárd-Bárányfok – the station is currently not served by trains)

The stations marked with * are conditional stops, where trains stop only if passengers request to board or alight.

Prices:

On the Pörböly-Lassi-Malomtelelő route:

• Full fare one-way: 1900 HUF
• Full fare return: 2900 HUF
• Discounted one-way: 1400 HUF
• Discounted return: 2000 HUF
• Supported day ticket: 1100 HUF (for those receiving disability support and one escort)
• Nostalgia ticket surcharge: 1500 HUF (mandatory for trains pulled by steam locomotives)
• Dog fare: 1200 HUF per dog
• Bicycle transport: 1200 HUF each

Those entitled to discounted tickets include: children aged 4-14 and full-time students (showing student ID is mandatory when buying tickets), people over 65 (showing ID is mandatory), and pensioners (showing pensioner ID is mandatory).

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices in Pörböly and Keselyűs (discounted tickets are only available there); for boarding at all other stops, tickets can be bought on the train.

Timetable:

Trains operate year-round, and the timetable is available on the narrow-gauge railway's website.

Information is for guidance and reflects the status as of March 2025. Always check the provider’s website before arrival and notify us if you find discrepancies!