Forest Railway 2025
Full steam through the Slovak late spring
Steam Adventure in Slovakia – Three Days of Spectacle in 2025
Our trip into the picturesque landscape surrounding the Fatra and Kremnica Mountains promised to be a magnificent steam-powered adventure—and it lived up to that promise in every respect. For three days, the region around Vrútky and Horná Štubňa was dedicated to the romance of historic rail travel.
The event kicked off with the impressive express locomotive 475.196, which steamed majestically through the mountainous terrain hauling an authentic passenger train made up of five classic "Y-type" carriages. It was a sight straight out of another era—powerful, elegant, and nostalgic all at once. Over the next two days, the imposing freight locomotive 556.036 took center stage. It powered its way up challenging gradients of up to 30 per mille—a true test for both crew and machine, and a spectacular sight for any railway enthusiast. To add a fitting touch, the organizers arranged for a Škoda 105S and a Lada 2106 to accompany the train, allowing them to be included in the composition of certain shots.
The entire event was impeccably organized: the two steam locomotives covered a total distance of approximately 700 kilometers, traversing the rail network connecting Vrútky, Horná Štubňa, Banská Bystrica, Zvolen, and Prievidza.
The journey involved passing through a record-breaking 114 tunnel sections, including the Čremošné Tunnel—Slovakia’s longest railway tunnel at 4.7 kilometers. Ultimately, this trip through the Slovak Carpathians was not only a tribute to the golden age of steam railways but also an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
Friday, 09.05.2025
We start early in the morning in Vrutky and travel to Cremosne, making several photo stops along the way. From there, we head back the short distance to Horna Stubna, where the grand loop via Zvolen and Banska Bystrica begins. After making numerous photo stops and a water stop, we return to Horna Stubna in the evening. The first day concludes late in the evening in Vrutky.
Saturday, 10.05.2025
We set off early in the morning from Vrútky once again, making several photo stops along the way to Čremošné. From there, we begin the grand loop via Banská Bystrica and Zvolen, reaching Horná Štubňa in the afternoon. On the evening of the second day, we travel the route via Handlová to Prievidza, where our photo train journey concludes.
Sunday, 11.05.2025
Our photo train sets off from Prievidza today. We travel "over the mountain" to Horná Štubňa and then embark on the large loop via Zvolen and Banská Bystrica. In the evening, we arrive at Horná Štubňa and make one final run to Vrútky, where the third day concludes.
