We have had numerous opportunities to provide our specialized production services for railway shoots, including action scenes for TV shows, commercials, and fashion campaigns. One of our most action-packed productions was an episode of Covert Affairs, filmed at a historic central railway station in Budapest. This project perfectly demonstrates the possibilities available in Hungary for well-planned productions, featuring firearms combat, actors jumping between moving trains, and leaping from platforms onto the tracks. A similarly dynamic project was the Korean TV series Memories of the Alhambra in 2018, which included action scenes at a Hungarian countryside station—though in this case, the attackers were warriors from the past. We have also collaborated on visually striking productions, such as a Nikon commercial capturing a Budapest cast-iron station at sunrise, and a Boden fashion shoot focusing on the Soviet-era retro elements of the railway’s visual heritage. One of our most complex collaborations with the Hungarian railway was Gucci’s 2022 Gift Campaign, which involved both photo and film content. This large-scale production took place at multiple stations and featured a vintage train brought in from Austria specifically for the shoot.
Our Fixer Services
Progressive Productions’ decade-long collaboration with the Hungarian Railway has made us internationally renowned for our railway-related production services. These services are highly comprehensive, covering every essential aspect needed for a smooth and successful international shoot on Hungary’s railways. Our expertise extends beyond film production—we also have an in-depth understanding of the national railway system, allowing us to act as a fixer who bridges the gap between the two industries. This ensures time and cost efficiency, as well as a seamless workflow throughout the production process.
Photo: Progressive Productions
Railway-related filming locations include train tracks, halts, stations, and terminals of all sizes. Productions can also utilize both stationary and moving train carriages and engines. We aim to provide maximum flexibility and an exceptionally wide range of shooting opportunities at these locations. To streamline the selection process, we offer a comprehensive location database showcasing all the filming possibilities that the Hungarian railway system has to offer, making it quick and easy to find the ideal location for any given project.
Through our ongoing collaborations, the Hungarian Railway has gained a deeper understanding of production needs, allowing them to offer greater flexibility and more filming opportunities than many other railway systems abroad.
Photo: Progressive Productions
At the same time, we have developed extensive experience in producing at railway locations and have built strong, long-standing relationships with key railway personnel. From station masters to engine operators, we have direct and swift access to the right people for any situation. One of our key strengths is our ability to translate production needs into terms that the railway system understands—and vice versa. This collaboration is crucial for ensuring safety, efficiency, and the widest range of shooting possibilities. Our experience includes large-scale productions at major train stations during peak hours with full closures, as well as action-heavy shoots involving SFX such as firearms, pyrotechnics, and large-scale equipment.
As your fixer, we maximize the advantages of the Hungarian railway’s system to create significantly more flexible and production-friendly conditions than what is typically available in other countries. Leveraging our deep local knowledge, we work closely with the railway to find solutions that expand filming possibilities, particularly regarding technical equipment use.
While many railway systems worldwide do not allow full closures of a site—and some even require public access to be maintained throughout filming—in Hungary, productions can be prioritized over normal railway traffic. We can arrange for the complete closure of certain sections of a station, even in high-traffic historic locations, allowing shoots to take place during peak hours.
We are also committed to expanding the technical possibilities available at railway filming locations. In many countries, strict regulations prohibit the use of overhead equipment, but we create the necessary conditions to ensure safety, allowing for the use of special equipment such as booms and dollies. Similarly, while SFX—including firearms and pyrotechnics—are strictly banned in many locations, Hungary offers far more flexibility. With the proper safety protocols and negotiations in place, these elements can be permitted. If a production has a specific technical requirement, we are confident that we can find both the location and the means to make it happen.
Photo: Progressive Productions
Prepping Railway Productions
While railway shoots are often considered the responsibility of a location manager, at Progressive, we view them as a key task for our producers, as every aspect of a railway location impacts the entire production. This is why thorough pre-production is the most critical factor in ensuring a smooth and successful shoot.
From the outset, we provide our clients with in-depth, essential information about the railway system, allowing for clearer and more efficient early communication. Our expertise significantly simplifies the pre-production process, as our prior experience enables us to anticipate challenges and save valuable time. We ensure that production planning aligns with railway regulations, operational complexities, and health and safety standards, preventing any unforeseen issues.
Making informed decisions during pre-production lays the groundwork for a safe and efficient shoot by providing a thorough understanding of potential challenges. Early collaboration with the railway can even allow for certain art department modifications to the location. We also ensure that all production elements are fully compatible with the railway setting, avoiding logistical obstacles or last-minute complications.
Photo: Progressive Productions
The key factors to consider when choosing a railway station:
- location
- size
- daily traffic of passenger and cargo trains
- daily passenger traffic
- its architectural style and condition
- number of platforms
- presence of overhead cables
- compatibility with electric and/or diesel locomotives
Photo: Progressive Productions
A practical example of these considerations is a production set at the turn of the 20th century, requiring a historically appropriate station. Hungary offers a variety of suitable locations, but additional technical factors must be evaluated. Overhead cables, for instance, can severely limit equipment usage, as strict safety regulations prohibit any filming gear from being positioned within three meters of them. This restriction also prevents steam engines from passing through electrified tracks. If the production requires a wide establishing shot using a camera crane, only a station without overhead cables would be viable—directly influencing the choice of train engines and carriages. This example illustrates how location selection and train compatibility are interconnected in the planning process.
Precise scheduling is another crucial factor, especially when working with railways, as nationwide coordination depends on accuracy. Professional and strategic pre-production, along with realistic time management, ensures that schedules remain on track, both in pre-production and during the shoot itself. While last-minute changes are generally more difficult to accommodate in railway settings, our experience allows us to handle unexpected adjustments when necessary. Our role is to communicate and negotiate production needs with the railway authorities, maximizing creative possibilities while ensuring strict adherence to safety regulations. Progressive is committed to providing directors with as much flexibility as possible, allowing them to make or adjust creative decisions without compromising efficiency or safety.
During the Railway Shoot
Progressive’s services extend to every on-location production aspect, ensuring smooth and safe execution. Our responsibilities include coordinating the crew in strict alignment with railway-specific health and safety regulations, managing railway closures, and overseeing the movement of trains and other vehicles. Filming at railway locations requires specialized safety measures and a unique level of collaboration among crew members, who must continuously follow site-specific protocols. To facilitate this, we provide comprehensive knowledge of the location, identifying potential hazards and supporting the enhanced teamwork necessary for a safe shoot. Additionally, we maintain clear communication and strong working relationships with the stationmaster, whose role is crucial, as they oversee all operations within the station.
By handling all key logistical and safety concerns while ensuring adherence to the schedule, we allow the creative team to focus entirely on the artistic vision of the production.
Our Railway Location Library
One of the most crucial aspects of pre-production is finding a location that perfectly aligns with the artistic vision, technical requirements, and practical needs of the production. Our service bridges the gap between production demands and the railway system’s regulations, ensuring access to the desired locations—whether it’s an entire station or a remote countryside platform. We believe that with proper planning and expertise, anything is possible. Our goal is to maximize both the available timeframe and the location’s technical aspects to provide our clients with the best possible opportunities. Over the years, our team has conducted extensive research and scouting, building a comprehensive location library that includes countless train stations and railway routes. Each entry is meticulously documented with detailed descriptions and photographs showcasing both architectural and technical characteristics, allowing us to quickly identify and present the most suitable options for any script.
When considering which parts of a train station a production would use as filming locations, it is worth keeping the following list in mind.
The various parts of a station:
- the main building
- the platforms
- train tracks
- overpasses
- underpasses
When curating our location library, we aimed to cover the full spectrum of Hungary’s train stations, offering an extensive variety in architectural styles, conditions, sizes, and unique characteristics. Our collection includes grand, historic train stations in Budapest, medium-sized stations in provincial towns, and small, rural stops in the countryside. In the capital, two particularly iconic cast-iron train stations, built at the turn of the 20th century, feature vast glass roofs and stunning architecture. The Soviet era also left its mark, with geometric, functionalist designs—some preserved in their original form, others featuring colorful, playful renovations. In the countryside, an even wider range of station styles can be found, providing options for all types of shoots.
Beyond stations, Hungary’s railway system also offers diverse scenery for filming moving trains. Productions can capture trains traveling through lush natural landscapes, suburban environments, or dense urban districts. Progressive has documented a vast array of backdrops, ensuring that we can quickly provide options ranging from picturesque mountain routes and lakeside views to barren plains and industrial settings. Additionally, we facilitate finding the right combination of train types that are compatible with specific tracks, ensuring seamless execution.
Photo: Progressive Productions
Our database also covers the Hungarian Railway’s extensive collection of trains and carriages available for productions. Functioning historic trains, for example, can be sourced from Hungary’s Train Museum. However, choosing the right engine and carriages involves more than just aesthetics—it also depends on their compatibility with the filming location. This is why experienced producers play a crucial role in aligning all aspects of the production.
The primary distinction between trains lies in their power source: electric locomotives require overhead cables, while diesel engines operate independently. Some large stations no longer permit steam engines, but several of Budapest’s historic stations do, providing rare opportunities for visually stunning period shots—something that is increasingly difficult to achieve in other major European cities.
Photo: Progressive Productions
Beyond functionality, trains and carriages can be selected based on their color, design, or historical period. Options range from prewar vintage models to retro Soviet-era trains, as well as modern or contemporary rolling stock. Additionally, custom painting, stickering, or interior redesigns can be arranged to align with a production’s visual requirements.
Progressive’s specialized service is dedicated to helping international clients access the best possible production opportunities for railway-related shoots. Our extensive location database allows us to offer a diverse selection of high-quality options, ensuring that each production finds the perfect setting. As fixers, we play an active role from the very beginning of pre-production, working efficiently and maintaining constant communication with the Hungarian Railway. This ensures that productions can fully capitalize on the unique possibilities these railway locations offer while maintaining a smooth, safe, and efficient workflow throughout the shoot.
