This year’s series of Budapest Transport Privately Held Corporation (BKV) open house events kicks off at the Szépilona tram depot in Buda, a former horse-drawn tram depot. On Saturday’s open house—which visitors can reach via retro and nostalgia trams—Tatra trams will take center stage — BKV announced to MTI on Thursday.
The depot is opening its doors to the general public for the first time in nine years. The open house will mark the farewell of the “traditional” Tatra T5C5 trams, and low-floor CA trams will also be on display at the Szépilona depot, the company wrote.
As noted, a true rarity—a beautifully restored tram built in 1908—will also be part of the exhibition. Among the special vehicles, the snowplow locomotive (Hómuki), which plays a key role in clearing snow from the tracks, as well as the BKV recruitment tram, will also be on display for a closer look.
The recruitment tram is a custom-built Tatra: its cover panels have been replaced with transparent plexiglass elements, allowing the operation of the components beneath to be observed even while the tram is in motion.
BKV noted that the depot, built in 1881 for horse-drawn tram operations, became the home of trams starting in 1896. Since it has preserved its architectural heritage and original appearance in an exemplary manner despite capacity expansions and technological innovations over the past decades, it was granted historic preservation status in 2019.
In one of the halls of the historic depot, visitors can explore an interactive exhibition of Tatra components, there will be a model train layout, as well as popular BKV memorabilia and souvenirs for transportation enthusiasts, while those with an interest in technology can participate in a welding demonstration in a freight car. A snack bar and a nursing room will be available for visitors’ convenience, they wrote.
They noted that those who follow the BKV Facebook page can register in advance for the guided hall tour, though a limited number of spots are also available on-site to join the tour starting from Track 7, passing through the tram wash. During the guided tour of the depot, vehicle engineering specialists will demonstrate the work taking place at the facility, the structure of the maintained trams, and the tools used for their operation.
A 2624 vintage tram with route number N58A runs to the depot from Széll Kálmán Square, and a T5C5 (classic Tatra) with route number R118 runs from the Albertfalva branch. N-marked routes are subject to a nostalgia fare: free for those under 14; those 14 and older can board with a 600-forint ticket purchased from the conductor or via the BudapestGO app. The R-marked route can be used with a standard ticket or pass. The schedule for these routes is available in the BudapestGO app.
The depot is open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission to the event is free of charge.
Via MTI; Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
