Slovakia - Tram services over obscure routes

Introduction

Some tram systems advertise their depot workings and enable one to ascertain the regular use by passenger-carrying services of junctions or sections of line that do not otherwise see public service. This occasional series lists such services that have come to notice. While the data for each system is current at the date stated, it is not the intention to endeavour to keep every entry up to date at every service change - the listing serves as a guide for travellers as to the sort of services they can look out for, enabling them to check current published timetable material at their time of travel.

To assist in tracing services, the route and/or timetable number for each journey is shown in parentheses, e.g. (1). Days of operation are in English notation (respectively: Su, M, T, W, Th, F, S) - plus "O" for only, "X" for excepted. Su (Sundays) usually includes public holidays in mainland Europe - but check locally.

Listings for other systems throughout the world - in the same format as shown below (please include date of timetable validity) - will always be welcomed.

Bratislava

As at August 2022 Timetables here IMHD 1 November 2020 Route map.

Blumentál to Úrad vlády SR

• the east to north curve is only used by route 7 to/from Bratislava Hl s between 05.28 - 09.13 and 13.53 - 17.55 Mondays to Fridays

Račianske mýto and East to South curve to Vazovova

• Route 3 SSuX Depot workings from Komisárky to Depo Jurajov are shown in the on line timetable dated 5.9.2022 with departures from Račianske mýto at 09.10, 09:28, 10:28, 19:26, 19:41, 21:25 & 22:45 SSuX, 21:15 & 22:45 SSuO. Note times differ on non-school days.

Americké námesti route 4 stop and west to north curve towards Vazovova/Blumentál

• Historic route A, running hourly from Jesenského from 10:20 to 17:20 SSuO from 2 July - 25 September 2022.

Tram Tunnel west end

• Chatan Sófer north to east. Only use in 2022 is by Historic route A, running hourly from Jesenského from 10:20 to 17:20 SSuO from 2 July - 25 September 2022. Had been in use in June 2012 by diverted route 1.

Košice

US Steel Works services

From an unknown date there is no regular route covering the lengthy branch from the catherine wheel grand junction at Moldavska to the Steelworks. This branch is only covered by routes R1 - R8 that run intermittently either to/from the ends of all normal route branches or unique turning points in Košice. Apart from the US Steel branch, what rare track each route covers as at April 2025 is listed:-

• R1, R2, R5 & R8 North to south on the west side of the Kruhovy objazd catherine wheel junction between stops SOŠ Automobilová & Kruhovy objazd, and the west to south curve off the junction by all journeys towards the Steelworks, or
• the south to east curve off the US Steel branch onto the Kruhovy objazd catherine wheel junction
  

Note the south to north connection on the east side of the catherine wheel junction is only traversed by routes R1 & R5 from the Steelworks, as well as by all route 6's heading for Košice railway station [Staničné námestie].

• R3, R6 & R7 the south to east curve off, and the west to south curves onto the US Steel branch at the Kruhovy objazd catherine wheel junction
• R4 the north to west curve from Zimná to/from Amfiteáter and the west to south curve onto the US Steel branch at the Kruhovy objazd catherine wheel junction
• R5 as above and despite being the only route terminating at the Amfiteáter loop
• R6 as above plus the east to south curve at Spoločenský pavilón and the branch to a stop at the DPMK Tram Depot entrance
• R7 as above and note despite being the only route terminating at the Ryba loop, stop locations suggest any rare parts will only be done out of service.
• R8 In addition to as listed above, VSS, križovatka west to south

Hlavna Ulice Horse tram

• A Tourist horse tram may still operate along a 1km part of the 1986 closed, isolated and de-electrified and pedestrianised Hlavna Ulice in the city centre

Full details are on the DPMK website.