The role of Hungarian narrow gauge railways in tourism through the example of the Csorba-Lake Cogway Railway

Abstract

Since the 1980s, almost all the Hungarian narrow-gauge railway lines have undergone a complete change of function. About 120-140 years ago, these railways were created mainly for economic purposes. Nowadays, with a few exceptions, freight operation has been completely abolished and replaced by tourism. In my study I will examine the place of the existing narrow-gauge railways in the tourism system and present their tourist potential: the availability of narrow-gauge railways, their inclusion in the wider tourism system, the material conditions of the basic infrastructure of narrow-gauge railways, and so on. What is the impact of narrow-gauge railways on tourism, and what is the tourism-related significance of these lines at all? Based on my analysis, the narrow-gauge railway sector is developing within the tourism system. It is also clear that the narrow-gauge railway system is becoming more and more important, especially where it can be connected to other tourist attractions (natural parks, forest schools, adventure parks), which is also evident in attendance indicators.