Arrabona - Múzeumi közlemények 5. (Győr, 1963)

I. Sáry: The History of a Project to Build a Railroad in the Szigetköz

the aim of building the railroad. The organizatory conference elected István Szabó, M. P. for the Zámoly constituency, to be the chairman of the executive committee of the railway concern. During 1907 László Szesztay, professor of the Technical High School, projector of the railway, produced a memorandum on the project, the costs and the probable income of the same; it was on this basis that the negotiations, aimed to secure the capital for the construction, were begun. The majority of the villages situated in Győr county were unwilling to offer any financial contribution, owing to the disinterestedness of the landowners and the preference for petty individual interests. Moson county, being seriously interested in the construction of the railroad, promised the concern a substantial financial contribution. Having finished negotiations for the covering of costs with the interested communities of both counties, the concern summarized the results. Since the disinterestedness of Győr county and the villages as far as Ladamér became evident, the original plan had to be modified to comprise the stretch between Moson and Dunaszeg, a line to be built in a short time, as it was hoped. This modification of the plan was followed by renewed negotiations in order to secure financial support, lagging on for several years. In the meantime Moson county has acquired a decisive influence in the concern, supporting the construction of the stretch favourable for itself with all its might. In 1911 the official survey of the line wasi held, then negotiations for a permission were started in the Ministry of Commerce. Simultaneously the communities interested locally have passed their final decisions regarding the financial contributions. Owing to successful negotiations followed by the concern, by 1914 the full capital was secured and the contracts for construction and operation were made; thus the joint-stock company of the railway has come into being. In spite of all necessary conditions being fulfilled, the outbreak of World War I prevented the beginning of actual works. Under the conditions of war the construction of the railroad remained a plan for the future, never realized on account of the frequent changes of material and political conditions. I. Sáry 22 Arrabona 337