DUE TO their overwhelming popularity and success, certain events are repeated every year in Slovakia and the annual international competition for steam engines is surely among these well-received attractions. The 13th edition of the Grand Prix Slovensko was held on September 11 at the cargo railway station in Zvolen.
Historical steam engines from Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria competed in the afternoon, the SITA newswire wrote. Before that competition visitors could also watch a competition between historical M131.1 diesel trains. Accompanying events included viewing of the Polish state railway’s “Totus”, the train that belonged to Pope John Paul II, the Štefánik combat train used by partisans in the Slovak National Uprising during World War II, and other historical and contemporary railway vehicles displayed at the locomotive depot.
Special historical trains also transported passengers between Zvolen and Banská Bystrica, Kremnica, Banská Štiavnica and Hliník nad Hronom. Musical groups, the Novobančanka folklore ensemble, performances by majorettes and fencing by the Ricasso troupe completed the programme.
The Grand Prix Slovensko is organised by the Historical Technology Club (Klub historickej techniky) of the Zvolen Locomotive Depot along with various partners. Each year the programme reliably attracts 5,000 to 6,000 visitors.
