The Čiernoronska Forest Railway, a narrow gauge railway in central Slovakia, not far from the old city of Banská Bystrica, dates from 1908. Built to get timber from the dense forests of central Slovakia, it was the longest forest railway in Slovakia, at 131.98 kilometres in length. Though the transport of timber was its main source of revenue, until 1962 it was also part of the area's public transport system. Even though some diesels were added to the original fleet of 7 steam locomotives, by the 1970s lorries increasingly replaced rail for transporting timber and a decision was finally made in 1985 to close down the forest railway and scrap all its equipment.
But in the summer of 1982, a summer camp appeared in the Vydrovsk valley near Čierny Balog, its members part of a local youth organisation known as Urbion from Banská Bystrica. With the help of environmentalists from the nearby region of Honec, they aimed to preserve the railway's industrial heritage. As the movement grew, young people from all over Slovakia came as volunteers to help save the line. In one bizarre and almost surreal episode, as fast as the volunteers painted and renovated railway carriages at one end of Čierny Balog station, officials cut them into scrap at the other.
The youngsters, realising that more political support was needed, joined the conservation body Strom Zivota (Tree of Life) and slowly public perception began to change. Today the railway has a tradition of over 14 years of organising annual summer conservation work camps, where up to 300 young people over the age of 16 work on the railway during the season, learning new skills, but also being taught about their environment and their own cultural heritage, while at the same time sharing a great deal of fun and camaraderie. Such was their success that in the Spring of 1988 the then Czechoslovak Government made the Forest Railway and official Youth Organisation and voted substantial grants for the restoration of their railway, leading to its reopening as a "green" tourist attraction in 1994. You can now arrive by train on the main line from Bratislava (which has a much improved direct rail connection from Vienna) to Chvatimech to enjoy a ride on his historic line, staying in accommodation in one of several neighbouring villages supporting the scheme, using the railway as part of a day's walking or even cycling in the area (bikes are also transported on trains) or booking your own train for a special event or group excursion.
As well as the volunteers, up to 20 people are now employed full time at Čierny Balog, both to operate services and to restore locomotives, buildings and tracks. Plans for the future include expansion of the passenger network for locals and visitors, the transport of timber from the sawmills of Čierny Balog to Hronec on the main line, and from other mills as well as other freight. Close working co-operation has been developed between the railway and ZSR (Slovak Railways) with excellent main line connections and common timetables Strom Zivota insist that any tourist developments in the region are environmentally sustainable and would like to establish and environmental education centre in the Vrodrovsk valley in co-operation with the railway.
Though many groups of enthusiasts in the UK also give their time and effort unstintingly, for similar rail preservation causes, the Čierny Balog Strom Zivota's grasp of the wider ecological and environmental implications of their work and willingness to share their concern with future generations is a revelation. The railway with its local tourist office (English spoken) can be contacted for further details at Čiernohronská Zeleznica, 976 52 Čierny Balog, Slovakia, tel: + 421 867-91500
Via Carpathia - tours of Slovakia
Ffestiniog Travel is running an East European railtour including Slovakia in 2003 .