Hungary - electric locomotives and multiple units

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Hungarian state railways MAV (Magyar Államvasutak)

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The finest locomotive of Hungarian state railways MAV, this is Siemens' 2nd generation Taurus, Hungarian class 470, which is more or less identical with the Austrian second generation Taurus locomotives of the class Br 1116. Picture at Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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A EuroCity international express train from Budapest to Austria with a leading Hungarian class 470 Taurus locomotive is approaching here the station of Komárom. Picture 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Same train as in the two pictures above. Note the three (!) express train conductor/cargo coaches at the end of the train. Picture by the Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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MAV-START locomotive of the Hungarian class 630.0 driving past Komárom station. This class of locomotives was formerly known as the class V63 "Gigant". It is a six axle Co´Co´machine, built in 1981 in 56 copies. Top speed is 140 km/h and the power rating is by today's standards a fairly modest 3600 kW. These are universal locomotives, intended as well for freight trains as for passenger traffic. They are now split between MAV-START (passenger services) and MAV-TR (cargo services). From the locomotive there exists also a faster version, called class 630.1 with a top speed of 160 km/h. Picture by the Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Another view of the same class 630.0 locomotive passing Komárom station. In the background an approaching FLIRT electric multiple unit train. Picture by the Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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A similar class 630 machine with a cargo train by the Hungarian-Slovakian border.
Picture from Hidasnemeti 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Another view of the same class 630 machine but seen more from its side.
Picture from Hidasnemeti 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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The same class 630 machine, here rolling past the photographer.
Picture from Hidasnemeti 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Another class 630 locomotive with an express train.
Picture from Budapest main station 21.8.2019 by Markku Salo.

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A regional Budapest-Komárom train consisting of two four coaches long Swiss made Stadler FLIRT units of class 5341 is approaching Komárom station as the class 630.0 electric locomotive shown in the pictures above is continuing further away towards the east. Picture by the Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Two Stadler FLIRT units waiting for their next departure back towards Budapest. Picture from Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Two of MAV's class 415 Stadler FLIRT trains.
Picture from Budapest-Déli station 18.8.2019 by Markku Salo.

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Another closer view of a Stadler FLIRT train of MAV in MAV's first livery of these trains.
Picture from Budapest-Déli station 26.8.2020 by Markku Salo.

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As MAV ordered more of these class 415 Stadler FLIRT trains, they were no more painted in the red and grey livery, but got this blue and white new look, which is from now on the new standard of MAV-START.
Picture from Budapest-Déli station 26.8.2020 by Markku Salo.

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MAV's brand new class 815 Stadler KISS doubledecker train.
Picture from Budapest-Nyugati station (west station) 18.3.2022 by Markku Salo.

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On the left a formerly German DB steering cab coach of the type called Silberling. On the right one of MAV's new doubledecker Stadler KISS trains.
Picture from Budapest-Nyugati station (west station) 18.3.2022 by Markku Salo.

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One of the most common locomotive types in today's Hungary is the TRAXX family of the Canadian company Bombardier. This is a second generation Bombardier TRAXX, Hungarian class 480. The regional train it is here pulling from the west to the Komárom station is also interesting: it is a combination of two regional trains. Half of the coaches are MAV's own and half are yellow and green coaches of Gysev Raaberbahn. Picture from Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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A slow local train approaching the train stop of Zamárdi by the coastside of Lake Balaton. The locomotive is an old class 433. This type, originally called V43, was built in Hungary by Ganz-Mavag with the help of a European wide consortium including the companies Siemens, Alsthom, AEG, M.F.Oerlikon, Brown-Boveri and seven other smaller companies. The machines were built under a long time, 1963 to 1982 in 379 copies. The machine weighs 80 tons, has a maximum speed of 120 km/h and a very modest power rating of only 2200 kW. They are now rapidly being pushed aside and being replaced by Bombardier's new TRAXX locomotives shown above. Picture from Zamárdi station 1.7.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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A closer look at the same class 433 locomotive. As is evident already from its looks, the design was based on the earlier German "Universallok" series from the 1950s, especially the Br 141. Class number 433 means third production batch of V43 locomotives. This individual machine was built in 1971.
Picture from the Zamárdi train stop 1.7.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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The old locomotive pulled also very old coaches which closely resemble the German so called "Silberling" coaches. Similar wagons are or were in use also in various other Eastern Block countries. They were produced in the DDR as more or less direct copies of their West German counterparts.
Picture from the Zamárdi train stop 1.7.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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A similar V43 locomotive, but prom the first production batch - hence the class number 431 - is here approaching the Szantód-Köröshegy station by the train line following the south coast of Lake Balaton. Another similar train, but with a more modern TRAXX locomotive was already waiting there for the line to become free again.
Picture from Szantód-Köröshegy station 1.7.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Local train traffic in Budapest. The old locomotive on the right is a class 431 or first production batch V43. The one on the left looks like a modern electric locomotive, but it's not. It's just an old suburban traffic coach which has received a new driver's cab at one end to make it suitable for push-pull traffic.
Picture from Budapest Keleti 15.1.2018 by Ilpo Ruissalo.

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Same pair of trains as in the picture above. This shows clearly how an old regional traffic coach has received a new driver's cab.
Picture from Budapest Keleti 15.1.2018 by Ilpo Ruissalo.

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Side view of a class 431 locomotive of MAV-START. This is a first series V43 machine. It is no wonder that the machine looks a lot like the German Universallokomotiven types from the 1950s. This type was commissioned by the Hungarian government, but designed by a consortium of western rail electrification expert companies Siemens, Alsthom, AEG, M.F.Oerlikon, Brown-Boveri and seven smaller firms. It was made for 25kV AC 50 Hz unlike the German ones that it resembles. Almost 400 locomotives of this V43 type were built, most in Hungary. They are still in widespread use, typically in regional and local trains.
Picture from Szerencs station 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Same train as above, but now showing the whole train. This is a very typical short haul train of Hungary today when it comes to electrified smaller lines.
Picture from Szerencs station 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Another class 431 locomotive. This was a longer distance train with more coaches which just arrived from Budapest.
Picture from Szerencs station 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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The station master of Szerencs station is ordering an approaching local train with a class 431 locomotive to stop here. A two-coach railbus train with one motorised class 117 coach and one unmotorised wagon is waiting for the passengers to connect to a sideline service.
Picture from Szerencs station 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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The same train as above - here it finally stopped.
Picture from Szerencs station 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Another similar regional train as in the pictures above. Old coaches have been quite nicely modernised. Notice the low-floor doors at the middle of the coach.
Picture from Budapest Keleti 15.1.2018 by Ilpo Ruissalo.

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Here we have a second generation Bombardier TRAXX, Hungarian class 480,with old DDR made "Halberstädter" coaches and one express train conductor/cargo wagon. A very typical regional train in Hungary nowadays. Picture from Szantód-Köröshegy station 1.7.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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The modern TRAXX machines are actually quite nice looking... seen from close by :-) Picture from Szantód-Köröshegy station 1.7.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Still the same train as shown above. The conductor/cargo coach on the train was apparently necessary because the train line follows Lake Balaton and the area is full of tourists with a lot of bikes that time of the year.
Picture from Szantód-Köröshegy station 1.7.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Lately MAV has covered a couple of locomotives with foils honouring famous historic people, one locomotive per year. This TRAXX machine 480 003 was covered in August 2017 with foils honouring Szent István. These locomotives are then often used to pull special trains to Şumuleu Ciuc (or Csíksomlyó). It is part of Catholic pilgrimage to this little town in Romania. Here we see 480 003 Szent István at Budapest main station.
Picture 21.8.2019 by Markku Salo.

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Another one of MAV's TRAXX locomotives covered with foils commemorating famous Hungarians. This one is dedicated to Mátyás király, a poem written by György Bessenyei.
Picture from Budapest keleti 26.8.2020 by Markku Salo.

Gysev - Győr–Sopron–Ebenfurti Vasút Zrt. / ROeEE Raaberbahn

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Gysev, also known as Raaberbahn, is an interesting company. It has its own rail networks both in Hungary as well as also in Austria and even throughout the communist iron curtain times it managed to keep its own train traffic ongoing deeply into Austria, although its Hungarian ownership was "socialised" and taken to the state. During communist times it used similar trains bought in similar ways like the state railways MAV and used them even across the border, but nowadays it is once again an important player in regional passenger traffic both on the Hungarian as well as on the Austrian side of the border and its trains reach even the Slovakian capital. The name Gysev is a shorthand of Győr–Sopron–Ebenfurti Vasút or the railroad of Györ, Sopron and Ebenfurt. In Austrian German it is called Raaberbahn or Raab-Ödenburg-Ebenfurter Eisenbahn AG. Today it's a company with headquarters in Sopron (Ödenburg in German). In addition to passenger traffic, also Gysev Cargo is a remarkable player. Here a Gysev class 470 Taurus 2 (similar to Austrian ÖBB class 1116) is leading a freight train through Komárom towards the west and Austria.
Picture from Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Another view of the Gysev class 470 Siemens Taurus 2, a machine similar to the Austrian class Br 1116. Picture from Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Still a third view of the same Gysev Taurus as shown above. Picture from Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Here one of Gysev's class 470 Taurus locomotives has received a special taping commemorating Queen Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie "Sisi"'s 175th birthday. The point of the whole painting was that the model train manufacturer JC or Jägerndorfer Collection paid for it in order to create a reason for them to make a new model locomotive with that design and thus sell multiple copies of their Taurus models to hobbyists. Many other model train manufacturers such as Märklin and Roco have earlier used the same trick.
Picture from Budapest main station 18.8.2019 by Markku Salo.

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One of Gysev's class 470 Taurus locomotives with Eurofima wagons.
Picture from Budapest main station 23.8.2019 by Markku Salo.

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One of Gysev's very newest locomotives, a class 471 Siemens Vectron.
Picture from Siófok, Hungary 20.8.2019 by Markku Salo.

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Another one of Gysev's new Vectron locomotives.
Picture from Budapest Keleti 25.8.2020 by Markku Salo.

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A Gysev long distance train coming from Austria and bound for Budapest is arriving from the west to Komárom station, but now not pulled by a Gysev locomotive, but a MAV Bombardier TRAXX of class 480. In practical terms in Hungary, Gysev is in the western parts of the country just like a second state railways company. But in Austria it operates like any private operator.
Picture from Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Coaches of Gysev's long distance train to Budapest. These coaches are of the so called "Halberstädter" type, made in the former DDR. They were very common throughout the ex communist block countries. Picture from Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Gysev has still also some of the old communist time locomotives left and in use. This one is a class 430 machine.
Picture from Püspökladány 29.9.2023 by Marek Graff.

Other operators in Hungary

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One of the very first second generation Siemens Taurus locomotives, the Austrian state railways ÖBB's Taurus Br 1116 no.005 with a cargo train passing Komárom station in Hungary. ÖBB has today a very active cargo subsidiary called Rail Cargo Hungary in Hungary. The second generation Tauruses of Br 1116 were the first ones that could operate both on the Austrian/Swiss/German 15 kV AC as well as the 25 kV 50Hz AC used in Hungary. They cross the border often. Picture from Komárom station 30.6.2015 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Another ÖBB class 1116 Taurus, seen here in Hungary, but right at the border to Slovakia, waiting for a cargo train to arrive from the Slovakian side.
Picture from Hidasnemeti station 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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Neighbours visiting Hungary. Austrian ÖBB's Taurus 2 of class Br 1116 and Czech České Dráhy Cargo class 363 have both arrived from Slovakia into Hungary and are here stopping at the first station just on the Hungarian side of the border.
Picture from Hidasnemeti station 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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A Czech Siemens Vectron of the Czech state railways ČD visiting Hungary. This machine is not owned by ČD, but rented from the company European Locomotive Leasing ELL and therefore it is not in Czech register, but rather registered in Germany as the German Baureihe 193.
Picture from the Budapest Nyugati station 18.3.2022 by Markku Salo.

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Another Czech visitor, this is the Czech ČD class 380 modern express train locomotive built by Škoda. This locomotive type is officially known as "Emil Zátopek" according to the famous Czech runner of the 1950s and 1960s, but unofficially the machine is better known by the names Messerschmitt, Zázrak (The Miracle), Porsche, Vana (Bathtub) or Svářečka (Welding machine). They were built 2008-2011. The type was not really a major suceess, but nevertheless Škoda could sell a couple of these to Germany while DB was unhappy with its normal vendors Siemens and Bombardier. This machine is known in Germany as Baureihe 102.
Picture from the Budapest Nyugati station 17.3.2022 by Markku Salo.

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Another neighbour visiting Hungary. A Slovakian state railways ZSSK class 362 locomotive with a Czech express train in Budapest.
Picture from Budapest main station 21.8.2019 by Markku Salo.

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RailJet is a Czech so called budget train operator, which tries to compete with the state railways with cheaper prices. Although their services operate mainly within Czech Republic and Slovakia, some of their services reach even Austria and also Hungary. RailJet uses mainly quite old but renovated coaches and rented locomotives. For example here these coaches are old Austrian ÖBB's wagons and this locomotive is owned by the German ELL, European Locomotive Leasing. It's a Siemens Vectron, registered in Germany as the German Br 193.
Picture from Budapest-Déli 26.8.2020 by Markku Salo.

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Another Vectron Br 193 of ELL, but this time used by Enna ppd trains. ppd trains is a Croatian company which belongs to the Energia Naturalis group (ENNA). ppd's first service is a coal train from Ostrava in the Czech Republic for the GIKIL factory in Lukavac in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Picture from Gyékényes in Hungary, near the Croatian border, by Markku Salo 26.8.2020.

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FOXrail Zrt. is a private train operator which has its headquarters in Budapest. Here two FOXrail machines are moving a third one. The locomotive with green frontal parts is a leased Bombardier TRAXX machine owned by Alpha Trains, a train rental company. The FOXrail machine closest to the photographer is a class 600 machine. They are locomotives which were built by Electroputere based on a license from the Swedish Asea. They are used throughout in former Yugoslavian countries plus Hungary and Romania. The machine furthest away from the photographer is a Siemens Vectron.
Picture from Püspökládany 27.9.2023 by Marek Graff.

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The BHÉV, Budapest suburban railway system (Hu.: Budapesti Helyiérdekű Vasút), so called HÉV trains is a suburban railway system around the suburbs of Budapest, consisting of five lines, H5 to H9. This is one of the old HÉV trains, no. 854 at Boráros Ter (Boráros square), which is the end station of line H7. H7 is a seven kilometre line from Boráros Ter to Csepel. Picture 15.1.2018 by Ilpo Ruissalo.

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Some a bit more modern BHÉV trains of the H7 line, these are series 900 trains or type MXA trains built in the former DDR in East Germany. The old train on the right is a Type LVII "Tiger". Public domain picture of Wikimedia user drhlajos 24.5.2008 from the train garages at Csepel.

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One of the 900 series DDR built trains of BHÉV, the no. 986.
Picture from Gödöllö 2.4.2018 by Markku Salo.

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Inside view of the same train as above.
Picture from Gödöllö 2.4.2018 by Markku Salo.

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A nice picture of the so called MIXa train no.854 of the HÉV service. These trains were built 1963 to 1966 for operations with 1000 V DC current. They are used on the BHEV line H7.
Picture from Gödöllö 29.3.2017 by Nemcsik Zoltán. Published under the creative commons license.

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A class 400 electric locomotive of Train Hungary. Train Hungary is a private company operating in Hungary and Croatia. This machine is a former Yugoslavian locomotive, a six axle machine for 25 kV AC, originally built by Electroputere based on a license from the Swedish company ABB and later totally refurbished by the company Reloc. Note from the picture that this machine is registered in Romania. The machine weighs 126 tons and has a power rating of 5100 kW and a maximum speed of 120 km/h. Similar machines are in widespread use in former Yugoslavian countries as well as Romania. Train Hungary uses 19 of these locomotives.
Picture from Hidasnemeti 4.7.2018 by Ilkka Siissalo.

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