Slovakia - Anything interesting under threat?

[ainsworth74]

Having just gotten back from a trip in central(ish) Slovakia based in the Zvollen area and having a good time some long term planning has begun for a return trip probably some time in the first half of 2027. One question that does come to mind when thinking about at future trip is whether or not there's anything interesting (in terms of stock or routes) that is under threat that should be prioritised for a future trip?

For instance any routes that are currently loco-hauled that are going to be going over to units? Any new units coming that are likely to cause the withdrawal of the Class 812s or 813s diesel units (which are great fun little contraptions!)? Even any routes that are under wholesale threat of closure (I noticed that there seem to several branch lines shown on the map I've been using that have no service like Zvollen to Sahy via Krupina or Jesenske to Vel'ky Krtis amongst others!)?

It would be good to know therefore if there's anything that's imminently threatened as I don't really know much about Slovkia's railways. Have they just ordered hundreds of units to come along and replace all the locohauled work? Is a bunch of subsidy about to be withdrawn and see many branch lines closed?

Any guidance gratefully received

 

[43096]

You might already be too late for the Class 350 “Gorilla” locos. They no longer have booked diagrams - the latest deliveries from München have displaced them - but the survivors may still see some use on an ad hoc basis.

 

[StephenHunter]

They've just electrified (and doubled) the Bratislavia-Marchegg-Vienna line that's currently using Slovak locos hauling Austrian IC coaches because that's the only combination currently able to handle the voltage/signalling of the two countries. EMU replacement is probable in the near future.

 

[43096]

They've just electrified (and doubled) the Bratislavia-Marchegg-Vienna line that's currently using Slovak locos hauling Austrian IC coaches because that's the only combination currently able to handle the voltage/signalling of the two countries. EMU replacement is probable in the near future.

It’s not just Slovak locos, there’s two ÖBB locos on the circuit too. All locos used are Vectrons.

 

[Jups]

They've just electrified (and doubled) the Bratislavia-Marchegg-Vienna line that's currently using Slovak locos hauling Austrian IC coaches because that's the only combination currently able to handle the voltage/signalling of the two countries. EMU replacement is probable in the near future.

This article mentions new long distance EMUs which replace loco-hauled services from Kosice to Bratislava and possibly Vienna like some services used to extend to. Nothing yet for the regional services as far as I'm aware

 

[StephenHunter]

This article mentions new long distance EMUs which replace loco-hauled services from Kosice to Bratislava and possibly Vienna like some services used to extend to. Nothing yet for the regional services as far as I'm aware

That's just the ordering phase.

 

[30907]

Zvolen to Sahy only reopened a few years ago - whether the closure was lack of traffic or political I don't know.

Sadly, all the quirkier loco-hauled workings (round Horna Stubna, and an odd Hummene-Presov as well of course as B Bystrica-Margecany) have been replaced by units.

 

[jfk]

You can check a calendar of Nostalgic rides planned for 2026 in Slovakia here:

https://www.zeleznicnemuzeum.sk/userfiles/file/sk-zeleznica-2026.pdf

Some of the rides will be on routes that are already closed to passenger traffic, e.g those to Lednické Rovne, Muráň, Slavošovce. On some events, loco hauled services will be used on lines where only units are normally available.

 

[shredder1]

Have they still got the 2 381s in Slovakia and of course the broad gauge 125s are also worth a few shots.

 

[43096]

Have they still got the 2 381s in Slovakia.

Yes, although - like all that type of loco - of dubious reliability.

 

[shredder1]

Yes, although - like all that type of loco - of dubious reliability.

I know the Czech are getting rid of the 380s

 

[Jamesrob637]

Yes, although - like all that type of loco - of dubious reliability.

Like the DB 102 then?

 

[43096]

Like the DB 102 then?

Exactly. DB 102, ŽSSK 381 and ČD 380 are all the same type and all have reliability issues.

 

[ainsworth74]

Thanks all for the comments so far. Sounds like nothing is under immediate threat (other than possibly Bratislava - Kosice at some point a few years from now and maybe Bratislava - Vienna) so probably no areas that need specific focus as such at the moment if planning for a trip in early/mid 2027?

Zvolen to Sahy only reopened a few years ago - whether the closure was lack of traffic or political I don't know.

Considering the loading on some of the branch services we did (like Levice to Sturovo via Cata which is in the vicinity of Sahy) I can imagine that lack of traffic might well have killed it off again! Shame, we had originally planned to do a loop via Sahy and Cata from Zvolen until I realised there was no services between Zvolen and Sahy.

You can check a calendar of Nostalgic rides planned for 2026 in Slovakia here:

https://www.zeleznicnemuzeum.sk/userfiles/file/sk-zeleznica-2026.pdf

Some of the rides will be on routes that are already closed to passenger traffic, e.g those to Lednické Rovne, Muráň, Slavošovce. On some events, loco hauled services will be used on lines where only units are normally available.

Interesting! Next trip likely won't be until 2027 but will have a look out to see if anything suits when we're planning closer to the time.