The following pictures have been taken during a special train organized for railway photographers on the to-be-closed line Diósjen?-Romhány. Though special trains don't have a long history in Hungary - especially because the company holding the historick rolling stock doesn't seem to be interested in actually running them, especially not for the train enthusiasts who are the most interested in them. In fact, the few runs that are organized by that company (Nosztalgia kft.) are more like a ball than an excursion. They are wanting to mimic Orient Express, which is a noble thought, but it's not surprising they cannot fill the Orient Express every weekend. As for other programs, such as "puszta" activities (an infantile reconstruction of the Hungarian heritage as an agricultural nation, that now appears as in the form of a strangely clothed clown whom they call a peasant) don't magnetize many tourists for obvious reasons. The tourist of today - may it be wealthy as a manager or moderate as a middle-class family - is seeking quality programs with fun, interest and spectacle (again, not the clown named "peasent").

Many levels of such activities can be imagined: excursions to historic towns, charter trains to the best hiking grounds, specialties for children like visits to a real farm or a National Park, charters to see theatre plays or to famous wineries. These acticvites needn't be created: bus charters are present, and special rail activities are held around the world with success. Of course, some of these activities may provoke train enthusiasts to join, especially if photo stops can be included (even if only when the other passangers are not on the train).

Till when the Nosztalgia kft. gathers brains, we'll have to organize for ourselves. Trains.hu seem to do it for us. Thank you!

High quality photos