From Pankasz to Kemence

2008.02.29 (Kelemen Zsolt dr.)

A pankaszi MD-40-es Kemencén
Fotó: Kovalcsik Tamás (2008.02.23.)

The brick factory of Pankasz (western Hungary near the Hungarian - Austrian - Slovenian border triangle) was closed in 2000. It had three different railway systems:

• 500 mm gauge system inside the factory for moving bricks between the parts of the plant. It had 5 MIB kulis, closed in 2000.
• 600 mm gauge line from the mine to the factory, closed in 2000.
• 760 mm gauge line from the factory to the railway station. It was closed in the 1970s.

500 mm gauge vehicles were sold or scrapped but most of the 600 mm gauge ones have saved. They have stored them in the open air, this is the reason of why they were deteriorated. They planned to open a new mine and start again producting bricks but nothing has happened. Finally one of our members bought the locomotive and transported to Kemence on 21.02.2008.

This loco worked in Pankasz from 1963 to 2000. It was in good technical condition when it was stopped. Its original gearshift was changed to an undefinied one and the body was lengthened.