Forest Railway III
With 486.007 on the Slovak forest railway
Sunday, 31.05.2026
On May 31, 2026, the impressive 486.007—lovingly maintained by Spolok Výhrevne Vrútky—had the honor of hauling an authentic special photo train styled after the First Czechoslovak Republic. The organizers had put together a varied and meticulously planned program for photography and videography enthusiasts who had traveled from all over the world. Flawless execution was ensured by the highly motivated team centered around "Anton."
The route took the train on a scenic round trip from Vrútky via the Dolná Štubňa junction to Čremošné. From there, it first traveled back to Diviaky. After some further shunting, the train continued its journey—with numerous photo stops—via Kremnické Bane and Kremnica to Banská Bystrica. The return leg finally led back to the home depot at Vrútky via Ul’anka, Harmanec jaskyňa, and Čremošné.
A brief look at the history of the 486.007: The locomotive was built in 1936 by Škoda in Plzeň, specifically designed for express train service on the hilly, steep routes of the region. Even back then, railway staff gave it the affectionate nickname "Anton." Due to its distinctive green livery, it still bears the moniker "Green Anton" today. In its current appearance, the 486.007 is presented in a faithfully restored condition, mirroring its original 1936 delivery state.
