„The Vác–Balassagyarmat railway line may be renovated ”from the cellar to the attic"

Not only maintenance but also complete renovation will be carried out on railway line 75, and passengers can look forward to a better and faster railway line from the first days of 2026. Work will begin on Friday, wrote Zsolt Hegyi, CEO of the MÁV group on his Facebook page on Thursday.

He said that they are turning the disadvantage into an advantage on railway line 75, where the front carriage of a BZ motor train derailed near Magyarkút last month. He added that the restoration of the shorter section affected by the accident involves much more complex work, and what is more, it is being carried out on almost the entire length of the track.

An investment package worth more than HUF 3 billion has been put together, which will enable the line between Vác and Szokolya to be renovated „from the cellar to the attic” and infrastructure developments to be carried out between Szokolya and Balassagyarmat that will bring about lasting and meaningful improvements in quality, the CEO wrote in his post.

Previously planned works are being brought forward

Zsolt Hegyi noted that some of the work had already been planned, but due to the accident, it is now being brought forward. According to his description, a significant part of the interventions are additional features that will contribute to restoring the 75 railway line to a condition worthy of its popularity on a permanent basis.

A measuring train will thoroughly inspect the entire track during the night and early morning hours. Due to the subsequent investments, a track closure for renovation will be announced on Friday until 31 December. During this time, passengers will be transported by MÁV buses.

The complex renovation between Vác and Szokolya affects a total of 7 kilometres of track: 14,000 reinforced concrete sleepers will be installed, 14 kilometres of track will be replaced, 10,000 rail holes will be repaired, 5 level crossings will be rebuilt, and heavy machinery will be used to adjust the track. The locations and tasks for the elevated maintenance will be determined for the section between Szokolya and Balassagyarmat based on the measurement results.

The impact of track renovation on road users

According to information from MÁVINFORM information, the light barriers on the Vác–Drégelypalánk–Balassagyarmat railway line will be switched off due to the works, Therefore, road users are requested to approach railway crossings with increased caution and in full compliance with the relevant rules of KRESZ.

During the renovation period, loading, storage, transport of loose materials and work carried out with heavy machinery may cause increased noise levels in the affected residential areas.

Information about traffic changes and bus stops can be found on the MÁVINFORM website.