Sad news from Czechia as JHMD closes

[Railway World]

Shock closure of Czech JHMD narrow gauge system

U37.002 approaches Blažejov on 15 July 2022 with the 10.39 Jindřichův Hradec-Nová Bystřice Debts of around £6 million (CSK 160m) have led to shock closure from Sunday (2 October 2022…

railwayworld.net

Debts of around £6 million (CSK 160m) have led to shock closure from Sunday (2 October 2022) of the privately-operated 79km (50-mile) narrow gauge system based on the town of Jindřichův Hradec in the south of Czechia, despite its huge popularity as a tourist attraction.


Less than three months after I had spent a glorious few days in the area known as Czech Canada for its lakes and forests, services are being halted on the two 760mm (2’ 6”) gauge lines that lead 33km (21 miles) from Jindřichův Hradec to Nová Bystřice, close to the Austrian border, and 46kms (29-miles) on a northern route to a town called Obrataň.

 

[the sniper]

Sad to hear. I guess there's no chance of Sprava zeleznic (nation rail infrastructure owner) or CD getting involved. Hopefully local government can help, but sounds like it could be too costly for that.

 

[Calthrop]

Unhappy news, indeed. I briefly observed action on this system at Jindrichuv Hradec in 2018. Time didn't permit travelling; and for sure, I'll never do so now.