• September 1, 2010 — The schedule of our excursion train is now finalized. Please see this page for further information.
• August 23, 2010 — The efforts of almost ten years are finally yielding their fruits. Now, we are proud to announce that we will soon reach our next important milestone, and run our first excursion train during a special open day on September 4, 2010. Please see this page for further information.
  
  — Previous news —
  
  
• June 14, 2010 — Our locomotive will perform on a shorter duty again: on Tuesday, June 15, the machine will head light-engine for Dunakeszi to return with a car to Budapest. According to plan, the locomotive is to leave the shed at Budapest-East around 10 AM; however, actual movement will depend on the current traffic load and is, therefore, difficult to be predicted.
  It is expected that several similar runs will take place in the weeks to come. We do not wish to announce these in our newsletter one by one, therefore, we recommend to check this news page regularly for upcoming duties.
  We would like to ask for your understanding regarding the late announcement of these runs—not even we are in the position of reporting them earlier, as plans for these duties are (and will be) finalized directly before they take place.
• June 2010 — Not even a week has passed since the light-engine run of last Saturday; now, we are happy to announce yet another upcoming assignment of our locomotive. On Wednesday, June 9, 2010, M61-010 will appear on a short freight assignment: the machine will leave the locomotive shed of Budapest-East around 11 AM to receive fuel at Ferencváros, and will the head over Gyõr to Körmend to pick up a smaller freight consist, most probably by the early afternoon. We apologize for announcing the run only a day in advance - this assignment was planned to take place much later but had to be rescheduled in the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control.
• May 2010 — We are happy to announce an upcoming minor trip of our locomotive to the station “Kõbánya-Hízlaló” on June 5, 2010. The locomotive is expected to arrive around 10 AM and will remain there for 1–2 hours, depending on traffic conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first occasion of a NOHAB locomotive visiting that station, and in view of the plans to abandon the line, it is likely to remain the only such event. While the track conditions limit our possibilities, we will do what is technically possible to make this a spectacular event worth remembering.
• January 2010 — It is a pleasure for us to announce the successful test run of our locomotive, former M61-010, which took place on January 19, 2010.
  
  
  
  We would like to thank again all our supporters whose contribution made it possible that a decade of hard work led up to this remarkable achievement. Also, we hope to remain worthy of further support in the years to come, the more so as obtaining the running license is “only” one milestone on the way to the ultimate goal of full technical restoration and preservation of the locomotive.
• December 2009 — Our foundation recently received this year's income tax donations amounting to HUF 3,339,578 (ca. EUR 12,250). We would again like to express our gratitude to all taxpayers, especially railway employees and railway enthusiasts, who supported our activities by offering 1% of their income tax to our group.
  
• October 2008 — The locomotive of our foundation, former M61-010, completed its first test run 45 years ago. Commemorating this event, an open day of our group will take place on November 15, 2008. The event begins at 10 AM in the meeting hall of the Budapest Local Directorate of the Hungarian State Railways (3 Kerepesi út, Budapest), where latest major steps of the technical restoration of our locomotive will be explained in presentations. The meeting room can be accessed through the main entrance, upon registration at the reception. Hereafter, the machine itself can be visited between 12 PM and 6 PM at the site of G.Tim-Co. Kft., near the former locomotive shed of Budapest East station.
• February 2008 — Another important phase in the technical restoration of our locomotive, former M61-010, is now completed: on February 20, 2008, the machine could finally leave the “Budapest-North” repair shops and return to its storage place in the locomotive shed of Budapest East station. Hereby, we would again like to express our gratitude to the employees of the repair shops for supporting our efforts with their thorough work. Also, we shall thank the traction manager and locomotive crew of former M61-017 for the quick transfer of our machine which was, thanks to the participation of 017, an aesthetical highlight for the enthusiast community.
  
  
• December 2007 — Much time has passed since the latest news about our activities.
  One of the most important achievements of the past months is the establishment of the new board of trustees of our foundation which has been, by now, officially registered by the authorities as well. The new chairman of the board is Csaba Szabó, further members are Márton Visi and István Deák. We would like to thank them for supporting us with this work. Also, we are grateful for the tireless work of our former chairman, Ferenc Joó, who made a remarkable contribution to our success, as well as our numerous international contacts.
  In the meantime, our foundation has received this year's income tax donations which amount to an unprecedented sum of HUF 3,607,839 (about EUR 14,200), surpassing those of any previous year. We will spend this contribution on recently completed or planned repairs, as well as further replenishment of our spare part supplies. We shall express our gratitude to all contributing domestic taxpayers, especially railroad employees and railway enthusiasts, and hope to receive similar attention next year when it is time to donate 1% of the income tax again.
  The technical restoration of our locomotive, former M61-010, will soon arrive at an important stage. In January next year, the last major repair to be completed in the Budapest-North repair shops will begin: the gap adjustment of the sliding supports next to the bogie pivots. Upon completion of the latter, the locomotive can leave the repair shops again and return to its home base at the locomotive shed of Budapest-East station. Once this is accomplished, we will update the online description of the technical restoration, and somewhat later, we will present the locomotive to the public at an open day.
  We hope that this report was good news for you. We wish you all a merry and blessed Christmas and a happy and successful New Year.
• November 2006 — This year, our foundation received HUF 2,776,033 (about EUR 10,800) from personal income tax donations (the tax authorities may transfer further additions to this amount in the next few months). We would like to thank every Hungarian taxpayer, especially those employed on the railways, who supported us by offering 1% of their income tax to the NOHAB-GM Foundation. We will publish more details about the intended use of this amount as soon as advances in the technical restoration of former M61-010 allow us to set up more accurate plans.
• January 2006 — We report with deepest grief that our friend and member of the board of trustees of the NOHAB-GM Foundation, Mr. János Previcz, departed on January 7, 2006, after enduring a long illness. He had been taking part in our activities, especially in the technical restoration of our locomotive, since the initial years, and his passing away is a painful loss for our foundation, as well as for all friends of NOHAB locomotives. We shall keep our memories of János forever.
• November 2005 — In late October 2005, our foundation received HUF 2,505,812 (EUR 10,023) from personal income tax donations. This will cover ongoing repairs which are vital for the restoration of our locomotive into serviceable condition. We hope that the above will also facilitate the purchase of further spare parts. We would like to thank every Hungarian taxpayer who supported us by means of offering 1% of their income tax to the NOHAB-GM Foundation, especially those employed on the railways.
• June 2005 — The technical restoration of the locomotive of our foundation, former M61-010, passed another important milestone: on 21 June, 2005, the machine was hauled to MÁV's “Északi” (Northern) Repair Shops where, aside from other lesser work, wheel tires will be changed and bogies will be inspected and repaired. The repair shops support our foundation by performing the tire change and associated technological steps free of charge. Further progress of the restoration process will be reported later.
  
  
  
  
• March 2005 — It is a pleasure to announce that – after years of almost hopeless waiting – our foundation is about to purchase the empty carbody of M61-002. The remnants of the locomotive were offered for sale through an auction which we have won by submitting a bid of HUF 2,625,003 (cca. EUR 10,800). Though this purchase price is doubtless to be a financial burden for us, we unanimously decided to save the last Hungarian NOHAB with unclear future from the cutting torch. Hereby, we kindly ask all our supporters to give us, if possible, additional financial help to realize this preservation effort. 
  
  
  Handing over the locomotive went quicker than expected: M61-002 was transferred to the fomer locomotive shed of Budapest East Station already on March 3, 2005.
  
• On January 22, 2005, our next open day will take place. In the first part of the event, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM, the locomotive – with its prime mover working – can be visited at the site of G. Tim-Co. Ltd. (at the former locomotive shed of Budapest East Station). In the second part of the meeting, beginning at 2:00 PM, a conference room of the nearby Hotel Stadion will host presentations on the first five years of our foundation and last year's journey to Denmark, followed by excerpts from a new episode of András Novák's video series “NOHAB's at the Turn of the Millennium”.
• December 12, 2004 — Upon completion of the most necessary repairs, the prime mover of our locomotive was started again (see pictures). After the long-awaited restart (sound files here: 1,2) the locomotive returned to the shed under its own power. On this occasion, we would like to thank again all the support without which the locomotive's restoration could not have advanced to this point.
  Also, we would like to publish an announcement of András Novák, author of the DVD series “NOHABs at the Turn of the Millennium”, also sold at the GM-meeting of Odense.
• October 2004 — Our foundation received HUF 1,748,663 from income tax donations which will in part cover the costs of wheel tire replacements and bogie repairs. We would like to thank everyone supporting us with 1% of the income tax. We especially appreciate the help of every supporter employed at the railroad. Also, a trip report about the journey of 2761 017-9 (former M61-017) to Denmark is done at last and can be read here.
• August 2004 — Locomotive 2761 017-9 of MÁV PMLI Center of Technology, former M61-017, is about to participate on the international meeting of GM locomotives held in Odense, Denmark, on 14–15 August to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the MY class of locomotives at DSB. The visit, organized by our foundation, will be financed by Danmarks Jernbanemuseumm and one of our key private supporters, Klaus Korbacher. As, until very recently, several circumstances were endangering the entire trip, it is only now that we can announce the envisaged participation of the locomotive.
  The machine, accompanied by a staff car, is planned to depart from Budapest on August 10, around 10 PM, will pass the border to Austria at Hegyeshalom at around 5 AM on August 11, and will reach Denmark over the route Salzburg — Koblenz — Niebüll — Tønder. On the way back, a halt for a publicity show is planned at Niebüll, and another longer stay will occur at Koblenz. According to the current plans, the special run will return to Hungary on August 19. Please watch this page for recent news.
• July 2004 — We have purchased used prime mover parts and electric components from a foreign partner. Depending on time available, we will begin with the renewal of the parts in the near future.
• June 2004 — To commemorate the derailment of M61-004 in an accident five years ago, on the 4th June, 1999, our foundation erected a memorial column not far from the former derailment site. We would like to express our thanks to Mr. Péter Vollmut, mayor of Badacsonytördemic for his help in setting up the monument, and to Mr. István Kocsis (Cegléd, Multi-Essence Ltd.) for providing the memorial plaque. We shall also thank the Balaton Uplands National Park and the Szombathely division of MÁV PMLI Ltd. for the building permit and for securing the building site. Due to the very limited space between the track and road 71, the inaguration of the memorial column could only be held in presence of a few selected visitors, among them locomotive engineers form the former M61 depot Tapolca, and one of our chief supporters from Germany.
• May–June 2004 — The prime mover is getting ready for restarting. Prior to this, however, further repairs were to be carried out. See this link for further details.
• February 2004 — We have set up a new page on the progress of the technical restoration of our locomotive. Also, the links page has been further enhanced.
• January 2004 — The new wheel tires have been delivered to us; now, we are arranging the change of the tires.
• On November 15, 2003, a special open day took place, commemorating the 40th anniversary of our locomotive having entered service. Click here for further details.
• October 2003 — Our foundation received HUF 1,213,149 from income tax donations which will be spent on purchasing lubricating oil and wheel tires. We would like to thank everyone supporting us with 1% of the income tax. We especially appreciate the help of every supporter employed at the railroad.
• September 2003 — In the last months, we have performed several important repairs on our locomotive, many of which are required for restarting the prime mover. Click here for further details.
• In January 2003, we have set up a picture gallery. As for now, only European EMD cabs are included, but depending on available material, also cab units of other continents will follow.
• On January 25, another open day of our foundation will take place. From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, larger groups can visit our locomotive with our guidance. Please call (+36 30) 954 6665 if interested.
• On November 2, 2002 an open day of our foundation will take place. From 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, larger groups can visit our locomotive with our guidance. Please call (+36 30) 954 6665 if interested.
• March 5, 2002 — Our foundation paid the last installment of M61-010's sale price; thus the ownership of the locomotive has been finally transferred to us. Again, we would like to thank all our supporters, without whose contribution the locomotive could not have been saved.
  
• December 2001 — M61-010 is here at last! The locomotive purchased by our foundation was transferred to its new storage place on December 21st, 2001 at 10:30 AM. The first technical inspection found no major damages, except for the batteries which were in a heavily worn state. Further inspection and repairs will be carried out next year. We will give further information about storage and accessibility of the machine as soon as possible.
• November 2001 — On Nov. 28th 2001, the contract between MÁV and the NOHAB-GM Foundation was finally signed. According to the contract, the State Railways will sell M61-010 to our foundation for HUF 8,125,000. More news is expected to come in the next few weeks; we will report it in detail.
• June 2001 — Our price offer submitted for the acquisition of M61-010 was considered the best by MÁV, thus we are currently negotiating about the details of the contract of purchase. We hope to report the transfer of the machine to our foundation in the near future.
• March 2001 — MÁV's auction plans have failed on the 6th of this month; not a single offer has been made for the acquisition of an M61. As a consequence, MÁV has announced to accept reduced price offers; therefore, our foundation has restarted negotiations. We hope to inform you of further results in the near future.
• February 2001 — MÁV has announced an auction of four M61's, which will be carried out on March 6, 2001. With the conditions set, MÁV has succeeded in excluding our Foundation from the auction. It is speculated that MÁV will proceed with the usual scenario – if the locomotives cannot be sold, they will be scrapped to prevent others from owning an M61 in Hungary.
• December 2000 — All M61's of the MÁV will be withdrawn and the units remaining at Tapolca (M61-006, 010, 019, 020) are to be transferred to Budapest on 22nd December 2000. The last run with a passenger train is expected to be on 21st Dec., with M61-020. Almost simultaneously, regular Di3 service in Norway will end on the 27th December; final withdrawal will be on 7th January, 2001. Four units are destined for service in Kosovo (Di3.619, 633, 641, 643) while Di3.622, 626 and 630 will be sold to Italy.
• Currently, MÁV intends to sell the remaining M61's. No plans of cutting up further units are known, although M61-002 is now used as a spare parts supply for the Nostalgia machine M61-001. We keep in contact with MÁV concerning the purchase of one unit.
• Recently, we have also established contact to foreign railroads and had some preliminary negotiations concerning possible purchase plans.