The jubilee 20th year of the Metallurgists for Kosice event attracted a group of volunteers to Cermel for the Children's Historical Railway. Enthusiasts and lovers of the railway gathered here again with a good mood and determination to do a piece of good work.

This year, new colleagues were added to the already seasoned team, who did not let themselves be embarrassed and showed not only their skills, but especially their enthusiasm for a good cause. They quickly fit into our traditional team and helped to improve our unique functional steam children's railway.

Experience and good feeling from the work done
After the initial welcome and distribution of tasks, we were visited by Isao Takenami, Vice President for Strategy, together with Mike Piekut, Deputy President and his wife. After greeting our volunteers, Lubo Lehotsky, the director of the railway, introduced them to technical gems - steam locomotives U36.003 Katka and U29.101 Krutwig, which are the biggest attraction not only for children but also for adults. Isao and Mike were able to try driving a steam locomotive on their own skin and also took on the role of a train driver, heating the boiler.

This was followed by a short photo session in front of the steam locomotive Katka, and after that, all volunteers, both ours and those from the children's railway, got to work.

At the Cermel station, the restoration of the driver's cab on the Janko locomotive under the leadership  of Robert Jenik was undertaken by the family of Robert Rick.

Metallurgists Miroslav Fetko, Marko Teleha and Norbert Mihalik (our scholarship holder) under the leadership of Peter Martonak from the children's railway built a retaining wall.

For Marek Teleha (in the photo in the middle), it was a premiere not only at the Children's Railway, but also at our volunteer event: "I have been working in our company for almost eight years, but I have resisted this event so far. This year, however, came a turning point. I told myself that after so many years it was high time to change it and do something useful for those around me. And when an offer came from my colleagues to go and help the Children's Railway together, I didn't hesitate anymore. The Children's Railway is an amazing project with a rich history and it would be a great shame not to put our hand to the work. The combination of a good idea, a great group and help for the iconic attraction was the right motivation to cancel the relaxed Saturday and put on a volunteer T-shirt. I leave the whole eventfull of  positiveenergy and greatimpressions. Whattouched my heart the most were my colleagues. Theywere extremely nice,cheerful and it was clear that  we can rely on each otherone hundred percent. Once again, it  was confirmed to me that a lot of good people workin our factory with a lot of hearts. Thisexample left me with a clear message: if my situation allows me ina year's time, I will definitelybe on the  front line again on Volunteer Day."

It was also necessary to add a hand to the work on the track itself.
Karol Henzely, together with volunteers Marian Bednar, Tomas Kolar, Igor Molnar and Matej Pecuch (our scholarship holder), cleaned the drainage canal from deposited leaves and sediments. And there was really a lot to clean.

Attractions at Alpinka got a new dress
The largest group worked on Alpinka. On the way by train through the Cermel Valley, a lot of work awaited them there.

Mikulas Gircak from the Children's Railway, Yuhei Sato, Robert Zihlavnik and Frantisek Klimo together beautified the waiting room at the railway simulator and installed new benches in it. The Japanese colleague experienced a premiere full of experiences. Not only did he ride in a more than a hundred years old wagon with a steam locomotive, but for the first time he also tried working with a drill and assembling benches. "I enjoyed today very much and I experienced such an event for the first time. In Japan, we do not normally work manually, with a drill and various tools. It was a great experience and also a lot of fun. I have the greatest experience from cleaning the trolley depot. I will definitely consider participating in this event next year," said Yuhei Sato about the Volunteer Day.

The fencing of the draisine oval was in charge  of Michal Tancak, Roman Fedak and former employees Stefan Vojtko and Jaroslav Takac. Mowing the grass in the entire area was done brilliantly by the duo of Vjaceslav Kupko and Jan Szucs.

Volunteers Anna Maria Gburikova (our scholarship holder), Helena Navratilova, Andrea Macejova and Adriana Burikova, under the leadership  of Jakub Michvocik, took up brushes, paint and painted a white container by the draisine oval.
"I've been going to the Children's Railway for a few years now. It is nice to meet colleagues differently than at work and to get to know each other more on the human side. No stress from responsibilities and working outdoors together. It is always a pleasure to see my work on a random walk around. I show my family and friends what we have done together with my colleagues on the railway over the years," said regular volunteer Andrea Macejova.

The wooden draisine depot was also repainted. After the initial cleaning of dirt, it was just painted and painted. The painting belonged to the traditionally well-coordinated group consisting  of Monika Jenikova, Eva Hunyadiova, Jana Hoffmannova with her son. They have been going to the Children's Railway to help for several years. And a true gentleman cannot deny himself, the director of the children's railway, Lubomir Lehotsky, came to the aid of our volunteers, who grabbed a roller and helped paint the upper part of the draisine depot.

The last task was the restoration of the mining locomotive and the installation of floor elements on the terrace by the draisine oval, which was successfully managed by Monika Faith and Katarina Kristinakova, who were helped by Lubos Leskovjansky from the children's railway team and our other colleagues joined in to help.

Another successful year

All planned work was completed, mainly thanks to the commitment, skill and good mood of all volunteers.

"We like the volunteers from the ranks of metallurgists on the railway very much. They always complete everything that is planned and you can see a huge piece of work well done behind them. Everyone deserves one big THANK YOU. We appreciate their help and support, with which they enhance what we all love - the iconic and unique Children's Railway, which would have disappeared long ago without the commitment of enthusiasts and volunteers,"  said Ľubomír Lehotský, chairman of the Children's Railway Košice civic association.

And finally, a greeting that is known to all lovers of our children's railway:

Let the steam push!

P.S.:  We can be rightly proud that we metallurgists have also put our hand to the work, which is more beautiful from year to year and is an exceptional cultural and historical attraction not only for us Kosice residents.

Photo: Igor Molnar, Veronika Hunyadiova and Frantisek Gregor