Driver's Eye View Plus - Budapest Children's Railway - Castle Hill Funicular - Buses, Trains & Trams

The Gyermekvasút (Children's Railway) also referred to as Budapest Line 7 is a 11.2 kilometre narrow gauge (760mm) railway connecting Széchenyihegy and Hűvösvölgy. Before the end of communism in Hungary the line was known as Úttörővasút (Pioneer Railway). The official designation is now MÁV Zrt. Széchenyi-hegy Gyermekvasút and apart from the train driver, all posts are filled by children aged between 10 and 14 operating under adult supervision. It is believed to be the largest children's railway in the world today.
The Széchenyihegy terminus is a 250-metre walk from the upper terminus of the Budapest Cog Railway, whilst the Hűvösvölgy terminus is adjacent to the Budapest tram terminus of the same name.
In this video we see the Children's Railway from the drivers point of view along with a selection of passenger and lineside shots before riding the Budapest Cog-wheel Railway and making our way to Castle Hill to admire the city and Széchenyi Lánchíd (chain bridge) across the Danube (river). Another highlight of the day was the Budavári Siklót (Buda Castle Funicular) and finally we take a look at Budapest-Keleti (railway station).
00:04 - Budapest Children's Railway
00:47 - Hűvösvölgy locomotive & carriage depot
02:58 - Hűvösvölgy station
13:35 - Hárshegy
21:21 - Szépjuhászné
29:21 - János-hegy
38:45 - Virágvölgy
43:11 - Csillebérc
48:11 - Normafa
50:31 - Széchenyi-hegy
52:37 - Budapest cog railway
53:08 - Danube (River)
53:37 - The Budapest Castle Hill Funicular (Budavári Sikló)
56:32 - Széchenyi Chain Bridge
56:42 - Buda Castle
58:12 - Budapest Keleti station
This visit was part of a rail tour arranged by the “Railway Touring Company” - if it’s something you’d like to know more about, please click on this link - www.railwaytou...

[@andyhorvath6630]

I do so love the Buda hills … I’ve ridden this train numerous times and wandered through the forrest. But this must have been a very special ride, many stations skipped and I honestly have never seen a steam locomotive on this line. And yes, the children that “work” there are always supervised. It’s more like a hobby for kids who like it and all about learning about responsibility

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello, it's lovely to have this wonderful countryside so close to the city. The train we were on was a special train organised by the tour group I was travelling with. When I was young I'd have volunteered to work on a railway like this one, sadly there were none in my home country.

[@dashatollyati]

I agree with you

[@bagoston325]

@@Timsvideochannel1 When I was younger, I actually volunteered for this exact railway, for 4 and a half years. I always loved going there. Every 15 days, no matter if a weekday or a weekend, rain, or shine, you'd go up to Hűvösvölgy, get the morning briefing, the uniform, breakfast, and talk with friends until it was time to go up. Marching with the flag, obligatory flag raising ceremony, while singing the "Úttörővasút induló", and then getting on the train, and going to your specified station to do your job. Undoubtedly the best years of my childhood, especially because of the community, and the extracurricular activities planned for us, by the management of the railway. Seasonal camps, special events, like "festivals", a "Méta" cup (think baseball but different running pattern and slightly different rules), etc... I hated school back then, and every time it was a breath of fresh air to go up to the hills with the trains and do my chosen job. Even though I had to wake up at like 5am each time, and got to bed at no sooner than 9:30pm, it was all worth it. There also were exams every year, which made sure you still know all the things railway, from communication protocols, to local sights ticket prices, and public transportation stations, so you can help passengers get exactly the information they need.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

INTO THE WOODS. by golly that sure was a long way Tim. great sounds and plenty to see. Another hit from you, Cheers

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Keith, Europe is full of pleasant surprises such as these children’s railways. There are a number of them in countries that were once hidden behind the iron curtain. I'm pleased you enjoyed the ride. Cheers. Tim.

[@sparky107107]

the view of the city is amazing going up the hill side tram

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, it's a beautiful city from above, especially the ornate river bridges.

[@BobCratchit-773]

These railways look well maintained and organised and the run through the woods is naturally beautiful.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

This railway was a pleasant surprise, it was much better than I was expecting; I wish such railways existed in the UK when I was young.

[@Fan652w]

Thanks Timothy for an absolutely fabulous video. I was expecting something very interesting, but I got even more than I expected!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, it’s nice to know you enjoyed this video, there is a lot to see and do in Budapest and unlike other capital cities, it’s not expensive.

[@panikrystyna1]

Witaj, Tim. Kapitalny pomysł z dziecięcą obsługą. Gratuluję znalezienia takiej perełki. Dziękuję, pozdrawiam.😀

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cześć, koleje dla dzieci były dość powszechne w byłych krajach Europy Wschodniej. Praca przy nich musiała być niezłą zabawą, gdy byłem dzieckiem. Szkoda, że ​​nie mieliśmy ich w Wielkiej Brytanii, gdy byłem młody. Cieszę się, że podobała ci się jazda. Pozdrowienia. Tim

[@Sasilbenyamin]

I watched this video from beginning to end. It's as if I'm the one driving the train. It's a very wonderful thing

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I'm pleased you enjoyed driving the train in this Video 😉.

[@gomer6477]

Nice one Tim. I'm sure getting around the world with you.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cheers, its nice to have your virtual company on my adventures 😊.

[@ivo1722]

Linda Viajem na neblina sentado na varanda e curtindo o caminho descendo a ladeirra paresso passageiro real no vagão ou trem de rota.... Byutyfull Power Carr trens🌷🌷🌷👀👀👀😅😅😅 parabéns 🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇

[@Pjs75]

Tim, in this episode, again, your travels have shown me great atmospherical detail & sights from countries, cities, places and activities that I am unlikely to experience for myself. Thank you! Peter

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Peter, it's nice to have your virtual company on these adventures 😊.

[@mrhot6shot]

Nice one Tim, I love that narrow gauge steam.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Cheers, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@adriantayler1868]

Great to see it still running. I visited the line a few years after the fall of communism and wouldn't have been surprised to see it closed - at least as a kids railway. The children do a lot of jobs, but loco cleaning doesn't seem to be one of them. As a narrow gauge firemen myself, I would not wish to run as grimy a loco as that, but then that was the norm when I was a kid ...

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, the same was said about the narow gauge lines in Saxony when the wall fell, yet most are thriving today as was this wonderful Budapest childrens railway. The loco was a bit grimy making it look authentic. I watched the firemen on the Ffestiniog Railway's double Fairlie locomotives, they don't have a lot of room to manouveure.

[@johannperaus6890]

Hi Tim! Wonderful video and a beautiful landscape 👍. The working noise of a small steam locomotive is always something nice. Best regards from Hans and Cheers 🍻🇦🇹.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Hans, it is very hot in my workshop today, I'd rather be at the beach. This railway was a bit of a suprise, much bigger than I was expecting and very rural considering how close it was to the city. Cheers 🍺 Tim.

[@OmniaInNumerisSitaSunt]

Misty and beautifully green forest ride. Enchanting Tim! 😍👍🏻🫠

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, it was so close to the city, yet it felt a million miles away, although it was easy to acess by tram or cog railway. Budapest looked like a nice place to live with the countryside never far away.

[@OmniaInNumerisSitaSunt]

@@Timsvideochannel1Oh I love Hungary Tim, both of my parents were Hungarians but I was born in the former Yugoslavia (Serbia nowadays), close to the Hungarian border. I have visited Budapest many times when I was younger; one of my aunties used to live there. So yes, one of my favourite countries is Hungary, together with Serbia and Australia. Thanks for featuring it in your video.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

@@OmniaInNumerisSitaSunt Hi, you have an interesting history, I'll be featuring more videos from Hungary, Czech, Austria, Wales, Australia and New Zealand in the months leading up to Christmas. Best wishes. Tim.

[@OmniaInNumerisSitaSunt]

@@Timsvideochannel1 Thank you Tim. Look forward to them all. Be safe on your travels! 🤩🙋🏻‍♀💖

[@robnewman6101]

All Aboard. All Aboard. Enjoy the ride.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I wish I'd been able to volunteer to work on a railway like this when I was still a child.

[@robnewman6101]

Maybe.

[@AndreiTupolev]

That's a very impressive loco shed they have. Many a UK heritage railway would be envious of that

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I agree, the loco shed is up to date and well equipped to deal with everyday servicing and more serious repairs.

[@ivo1722]

Hiak ❤❤❤❤❤to letche tela nado🎉🎉🎉🎉wanhno 😮😮😮😮😮😅😅😅😅😅

[@ivo1722]

🌠🌠🌠🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 Bravo 🔥🔥🔥🔥✈️✈️✈️✈️💙💙💙💙🌠🌠🌠 🇧🇷

[@Timsvideochannel1]

😊😊😊👍👍👍

[@neilforbes416]

On a serious note though, as I understand it, the children are limited to working at the stations in various roles or on the carriages(again in various roles) but the actual driving of the locos(steam or diesel) is done by adults.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Children work in all jobs under adult supervision, the only exception being the drivers who are all adults.

[@ahoseason]

Impressive permanent way. Thanks for sharing.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, I'm pleased you enjoyed the video.

[@robnewman6101]

Wow.

[@robertcoleman4861]

Great railway beautiful city thanks Tim, it's great to get the children involved some might go on to work on the rail system, Just a few facts about the gulf lander it's a rail line 151 km long from nowhere to nowhere 🤣& the sleepers are all steel because of the termite problem "THERE SO BIG YOU COULD PUT SADDLES ON THEM & RIDE THEM" 😂😅😁🐜🐜cheers Bob.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello Robert, I'll be looking out for those termites, hope one of the locals can lend me a saddle 😉. I wish there had been children's railways in the UK when I was a child, I know where I'd have been in my spare time. I'm really looking forward to my Australian/New Zealand adventure.

[@robertcoleman4861]

🤣😂😅😁🍺🍺@@Timsvideochannel1

[@neilforbes416]

41:50 Traveling through the fog - an experience not to be *mist(missed)* LOL

[@Timsvideochannel1]

That ones a bit of a damp squib 🥴.

[@markkneafsey-nl8tv]

Hahahahaha

[@florianglassel2062]

Wunderbar 👍 vielen Dank für ihr Video

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Vielen Dank, ich freue mich, dass es Ihnen gefallen hat 😊.

[@RailRoadFans]

Nice!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@sellier-bellot22]

Not so good weather but video was great ,especially the end of it ??? Cheers .🥸

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I've been a bit unlucky with the weather this year, several of my "Driver's Eye" videos feature rain, apart from the rain, I'm glad you enjoyed the video 😊.

[@sellier-bellot22]

I think it's just a bad luck !🌦@@Timsvideochannel1

[@ivo1722]

Adorei muito 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️💙💙💙💙💙💖💖💖💙💙💙🛸🛸🛸🛸🛸🛸🛸😃🎊😃😃😃😃👀👀❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Fico feliz que você tenha gostado do vídeo 😊👍.

[@andrzejkomorowski6588]

My polacy mozemy tylko zazdrościć!. Pięknie utrzymane torowisko , urzadzenia ZRK , oznaczenia szlaku coś pieknego . Trasa dość monotonna ,ale ma swój urok , czy odbywa sie tu ruch planowy ?. Czy przed każdym semaforem wjazdowym stoi powtarzacz i co oznaczają światła?. Na jakiej zasadzie i kto finansuje tą ciuchcie . Ja,i jest rozstaw tego cuda i jaka jest prędkość szlakowa ?.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Helló, Angliából származom, ezért nem tudom mindenre a választ. A pálya és a vasút jó állapotú volt, ma már része a budapesti tömegközlekedési rendszernek, menetrend szerinti vonatokkal. A közbülső állomások többsége sétaútvonalakat szolgált ki, gyerekeknek is van program. Nem ismerem a jelzést, remélhetőleg valaki látja a megjegyzését és megadja a helyes választ.

[@user-gt3by6pj1k]

It runs every day of the year, departs every hour, 8 pairs of trains + special trains a day. All railway equipment and signals etc. same as on the normal (1435mm) railway, children learn the same rules as there. The Children's Railway is operated by the same MÁV as the other lines, based on the order of the Hungarian state, which also finances it. Its length is 11.7 km (Guinness record), 8 stations, 40 minutes journey time. Its track distance is 760 mm, its speed is 20-30 km/h. Steam and diesel locomotives, winter and summer cars. It was built between 1948-1950.

[@timstrainvideos142]

brilliant! does the children's railway run every day do you know?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, I believe the railway is now part of the city’s public transport and as such it is likely that it runs daily all year round.

[@timstrainvideos142]

@@Timsvideochannel1 ok great thanks I might go and have a look later this year then

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

Very nice.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Thank you, it's nice to know you enjoyed it.

[@amalendumistry8610]

Omg,my dream land.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm pleased you enjoyed the video.

[@user-pn7br5jn7b]

👏👏👏👍😲

[@Timsvideochannel1]

😊👍.

[@Barflax]

Hehe I've have ride this exept that Castle Hill Funicular in the 80th. Did you ride that nice little Metro 1? It something to take a ride on.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, the childrens railway was fun, I'd love to have worked on one when I was still a child. I rode for a couple of stops on the world's oldest electric underground railway to get back to my hotel, although the train looked new. Public transport in Budapest is really interesting.

[@bertsoderlund4095]

@@Timsvideochannel1 Yup they are new, the old ones is history, sadly noone was saved.

[@Timsvideochannel1]

​@@bertsoderlund4095It's sad that none were saved for future generations to see.

[@yannislee2344]

How often do steam locomotives operate on the railway?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

The steam engine is only used on specially chartered trains, it doesn't operate on a regular basis.

[@KOLEJ22DrogaPrzygody]

Great video

[@Timsvideochannel1]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it 😊.

[@ivo1722]

❤❤❤love 🎉🎉🎉 🌠🌠🌠 Byutyfull Power 💖💖💖💙💙💙💙💙😅😅😅😅😅😊😊

[@arch9enius]

Impressive railway. Shame no M1 metro , maybe next time .

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hello, I'm glad you enjoyed the video and I hope to return to film more of the cities railways and trams soon.

[@robnewman6101]

What Country is this in?

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Hi, this railway is located in Hungary.

[@robnewman6101]

Thanks.

[@neilforbes416]

I guess the kids of Budapest are *Hung(a)ry* for a bit of railway activity! LOL

[@Timsvideochannel1]

Groan 🥴LOL.

[@neilforbes416]

@@Timsvideochannel1 🤔🤔

[@victorpaul904]

🇮🇳💐🍁🥰🥰🌹❤️👌🍁💐🇮🇳

[@Timsvideochannel1]

😊😊😊

[@TamasKiss-bv9hz]

💗🤍💚👍👍👍

[@Timsvideochannel1]

😊😊😊

[@photobobo]

A bicycle would be faster, and put less carbon in the air.

[@dexterpoindexter3583]

@photobobo Compared to all of us watching KZbin, a hummingbird would be faster, and put less carbon in the air. But... There's more to life than efficient results. Lighten up, live a little, and allow some joy back into your life!

[@Timsvideochannel1]

A bit bumpy riding a bike along the track and what about the old folk in wheelchairs? - Life on earth would not be possible without carbon. This is in part due to carbon's ability to readily form bonds with other atoms, giving flexibility to the form and function that biomolecules can take, such as DNA and RNA, which are essential for the defining characteristics of life: growth and replication.

[@Luigi-uj5ml]

But where did you find this starving man? In the Easter egg?

[@bm8292]

The trees will be eating the carbon so you can enjoy the ride and the video.