One of the most popular forest railways has been renovated in this project

The closing event of the Gyöngyös-Mátrafüred section of the Gyöngyös-Mátrafüred project was held on 26 March in Gyöngyös, Heves County. The investment of the Mátra Railway was implemented in two phases from 2018 with a government grant of HUF 1.2 billion. The railway track and the entire fleet of trains of one of the most popular forest railways were renewed.

The light railway carries passengers on two lines

The event was also attended by the Minister of State for Forests and Lands of the Ministry of Agriculture. Péter Zambó stressed the role of forests in the protection of recreation and health. He added that since 2013, state forestry companies have invested around HUF 42 billion in the development of forest infrastructure for public welfare and tourism: forest schools, lookouts, ecotourism centres, educational trails and forest accommodation have been renovated or established.

The railway is an hour's drive from the capital, and carries passengers on two lines: the one between Gyöngyös and Mátrafüred, and the other through Lajosháza to Szalajkaház.

More heavy-duty rail material installed, may also increase the frequency of traffic

Csaba Dobre-Kecsmár, CEO of Egererdő Zrt., said that the previous phase of the development included the renewal of the Gyöngyös-Gyöngyössolymos section of the line, and the complete renewal of the rolling stock of the Mátra Railway.

The ballast rock was replaced on more than 7 kilometres of the Matrafüred section, the old sleepers were replaced with concrete sleepers and more heavy-duty track material was installed. This has improved passenger safety and load capacity on the light railway section, and increased the sustainable frequency of services on the line.

Five chalets have been renovated in the Mátra in recent years

László Horváth, a Fidesz member of parliament from the region, said that in order to preserve the railway, a new function had to be found, and it became a tourist attraction. The Mátra Railway has had more than 30,000 guests since August, he said.

Máriusz Révész, State Secretary for Active Hungary, pointed out at the event that the only way to get people to move is to make it an experience, so bicycle paths are being built, tourist houses are being renovated - five buildings have been renovated in the Mátra in recent years - and small railways are also being renovated. On the Mátra Railway, the section leading to the Szalajkaház was opened earlier before the Mátrafüred one.