2006.03.23.

The reconstruction of the Budapest-Szolnok-Lökösháza line stepped to the following level. After rebuilding half of the Budapest-Szolnok section (the other half is left as it was, in a poor condition trains cannot go faster than 60-80 km/h), the part between Szolnok and Békéscsaba is getting a new shape.

Speed is raised to 140 km/h, and to 160 km/h between Tiszateny? and Mez?túr, where the missing second track is also built. This will mean much quicker trains towards Romania, which is a happy thing, and the full-length double track will solve the capacity problems of the freight trains. But while subway and raised platforms are built at a village where twenty people get on a train tops, the track between Szolnok and Sülysáp is still a mess, and the section which was rebuilt two years ago is a mess again, and that section I believe to be more important.

This reconstruction is awkwaard as anything involving MÁV, but very interesting for a train enthusiast. As at most of the major track reconstruction works, a NoHAB locomotive is working here, this time the rebuilt 2761 017, which usually moves the track measuring car of the Track Engineers.

They currently prepare to build the new catenary system at the station. New masts are being raised, holes are being dug for the masts and the subway is under construction.

High quality photos