Hungary's "North East Frontier" at Záhony. 09/02/93.
Záhony in the North East corner of Hungary is the border station for the line to Čop (Chop) in the Ukraine. Between the two towns either side of the Tisza River the line is of mixed gauge (1435/1524mm) allowing traffic in both directions although at this location only freight used both gauges running to trans shipment yards on either side of the border. The passenger service tended to be standard gauge only with passengers changing trains in Čop or on long distance workings the coaches changed bogies in Čop.
On the standard gauge (1435mm) tracks in Záhony station are two MÁV passenger workings, one diesel one electric.
On the left M41-2132 has just arrived with train 6354 the 12.15 from Mátészalka. While on the right staff gather in front of V43-1086 waiting to form train 6243 the 14.00 to Nyíregyháza. At the time 23 years ago photography at locations like this could often attract unwanted official attention hence probably the reason the railway staff are staring. It was usually a case of take a couple of shots and return the camera to the bag and disappear. The Ukraine had only gained independence from the Soviet Union 17 months earlier but little had changed when it came to border regions like here so still plenty of barbed wire, watch towers and no mans land to look cross.
Hungary's "North East Frontier" at Záhony. 09/02/93.
Záhony in the North East corner of Hungary is the border station for the line to Čop (Chop) in the Ukraine. Between the two towns either side of the Tisza River the line is of mixed gauge (1435/1524mm) allowing traffic in both directions although at this location only freight used both gauges running to trans shipment yards on either side of the border. The passenger service tended to be standard gauge only with passengers changing trains in Čop or on long distance workings the coaches changed bogies in Čop.
On the standard gauge (1435mm) tracks in Záhony station are two MÁV passenger workings, one diesel one electric.
On the left M41-2132 has just arrived with train 6354 the 12.15 from Mátészalka. While on the right staff gather in front of V43-1086 waiting to form train 6243 the 14.00 to Nyíregyháza. At the time 23 years ago photography at locations like this could often attract unwanted official attention hence probably the reason the railway staff are staring. It was usually a case of take a couple of shots and return the camera to the bag and disappear. The Ukraine had only gained independence from the Soviet Union 17 months earlier but little had changed when it came to border regions like here so still plenty of barbed wire, watch towers and no mans land to look cross.