The Kalavryta rack railway

Over the recent period, on sections of the tourist route of the Kalavryta rack railway, severe natural phenomena have been observed which lead to landslides of large and dangerous rocks towards the rails from the surrounding forest area of Mount Chelmos.

At the same time, already since last year, following actions and reports by local bodies in the area, preliminary investigation proceedings have been initiated regarding the possible hazardousness of this network, the findings of which are still awaited to date.

As the Railway Infrastructure Manager, our Company has already taken enhanced measures for the continuous monitoring of natural phenomena on the rack railway network, as well as for keeping the infrastructure permanently in a suitable and safe condition, within the framework of its responsibilities:

1. Inspection and cleaning of the infrastructure by an auxiliary works machine before each service is operated, on days of heavy rainfall in the area, in order to remove debris 2. Presence of a technician on every service operated, in order to provide immediate assistance in the event of a technical problem relating to the infrastructure arising during the running of the service 3. Installation of seismographic and meteorological stations for the continuous monitoring of natural phenomena in the area

However, the observed intensity of extreme natural phenomena and the increase in landslides of large-volume rocks affecting sections of the Diakofto–Kalavryta tourist route make it imperative to reassess the operating conditions of the rack railway.

Consequently, we announce the suspension of operation of the Kalavryta rack railway (Diakofto–Kalavryta tourist route), until the prevailing conditions have been reassessed and the required geological studies have been carried out in the surrounding area of Mount Chelmos, in cooperation with the competent local authorities.