This 115-year-old tram still clearing snow in Hungary

Heavy snowfall across Hungary recently caused disruptions but also created some remarkable sights. In Miskolc, where the iconic Lillafüred Waterfall froze over, an extraordinary vehicle returned to service: a more than 115-year-old self-propelled tram helping to clear snow from the city’s tram tracks.

The oldest ones are helping too

Far from being a static museum piece, this historic tram remains an active part of Miskolc’s public transport system. It was built in 1910 at the Aréna Road main workshop of the Budapest Electric Tramway Company during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

The vehicle was originally designed as a covered motorised freight tram. Equipped with a crane, it was intended for industrial work and heavy-duty tasks, and its solid construction has proved remarkably durable over time.

Throughout its long history, the tram has undergone numerous modifications. Its motors have been replaced several times, and various technical upgrades were added as technology evolved, writes Turizmus.com.

Despite these changes, the vehicle has retained many of its original characteristics, reflecting the engineering standards of each era it passed through. For decades, it operated in Budapest, serving at multiple depots, before being earmarked for scrapping in the late 1990s—a fate that claimed many vehicles of similar age.

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This tram happened to be very lucky

This tram, however, was spared. In 1997, the Miskolc Municipal Transport Company recognised its potential and purchased it, assigning the vehicle a new role. It was transferred to Miskolc, where it began a second life as a snow-clearing tram. Since then, it has been deployed every winter when weather conditions require it, helping to keep tram services running safely and reliably.

Over the years, the vehicle has been modernised to meet operational demands. Today, it operates with two high-performance traction motors and is handled by a driver and a small crew. Its task is vital during harsh winter conditions, ensuring that public transport can continue even in heavy snowfall.

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Remarkable sight in Hungary

The continued operation of a tram more than a century old is considered a rarity on a national level. In Miskolc, this working piece of transport history complements the city’s rich natural surroundings and industrial heritage.

Attractions such as the Massa Museum, the historic Fazola Furnace and the nearby Metallurgy Museum highlight the region’s long-standing relationship with industry and technology—an enduring legacy that is also embodied by a 115-year-old tram still hard at work on snowy winter days.