Narrow-gauge railways in Poland are very popular among tourists. Most of the railways operate during the summer season on weekends and on selected days in autumn and winter. Typically, journeys are organized between the starting and ending stations with a longer stop at the final station, which can be spent on a walk or by a by the fire if the final station is located in a forest.
The list does not includes miniature railways. There are also abandoned park railways in Chorzów (Upper Silesia) and Ostrów Wielkopolski (Greater Poland).
Narrow-gauge railways in Poland
Bieszczadzka Kolej Leśna (Bieszczady Forest Railway) – most famous Polish narrow-gauge railway situated in remote area of the Bieszczady Mountains. . The main station with all the rolling stock is located in Majdan near Cisna. Usually diesel hauled trains, steam hauled trains on certain days. Trains run on selected days from May to the end of October and daily in July and August on the routes Majdan – Przysłup (12 km), Majdan – Balnica (9 km), and Majdan – Dołżyca. Tickets are expensive.
Bieszczady Forest Railway – official website
Ełcka Kolej Wąskotorowa (Ełk Narrow-Gauge Railway) – seasonal train rides on the route Ełk – Sypitki. The travel time between these stations is 45 minutes, with a two-hour stop at the final station (there is a campfire – bring your own food). The one-way route length is 15 kilometers. The railway usually operates from May 1 on selected Saturdays and Sundays until the last Sunday in September. On selected days, there are two trains in each direction. Diesel hauled trains, several times a year trains are hauled by a steam locomotive.
The ticket price includes entry to the Railway Museum in Ełk with an open-air exposition a heritage rolling stock open-air museum.
Narrow-gauge station in Ełk is located next to the standard-gauge train station.
Ełk Narrow-Gauge Railway – official website
Gnieźnieńska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Gniezno Narrow-Gauge Railway) – the railway was opened in 1883, initially built as an industrial railway serving the Gniezno sugar factory. In 1893, it was purchased by Witkowski County and converted for passenger transport. In 2003, the railway was transferred to Gniezno County. Since then, the Gniezno Enthusiasts Society has taken care of it.
The railway runs on a short section in Gniezno (2-3 km) during the summer season. The railway operated on the Gniezno – Anastazewo section (38 km), but since August 2010, it runs on the Gniezno – Ostrowo Stare section (33 km). The stretch to Anastazewo is out of service due to the poor condition of the tracks.
Information about the operation is provided on the Gniezno County Office’s fanpage.
Górnośląskie Koleje Wąskotorowe (Upper Silesian Narrow-Gauge Railways) – this network of narrow-gauge railways initially served transport between industrial plants in the Upper Silesian Industrial District. Very few segments of the former network remain. Thanks to the efforts of the Upper Silesian Narrow-Gauge Railways Association, seasonal tourist trains are running between Bytom to Miasteczko Śląskie via Tarnowskie Góry line (21 km). The narrow-gauge platform at Bytom station is located at the tunnel exit on the side opposite the city center. Trains run seasonally from May to September. Usually diesel hauled trains, sometimes also steam hauled.
It is a very interesting and popular railway. Bytom is a neglected city but has many interesting buildings. In Tarnowskie Góry you can visit former silver mine, open-air steam machines museum and small city center.
Upper Silesian Narrow-Gauge Railways Association – official website
Helska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Hel Narrow-Gauge Railway) – a short narrow-gauge railway operating seasonally within the Hel Museum Complex on the Hel Peninsula in Northern Poland. The route has been recently extended by one kilometer. The railway operates only during the summer season. The Hel Peninsula is famous for seaside towns and scenic standard-gauge railway line Gdynia – Hel which led along the sea between Puck and Hel.
Hel Museum – official website
Kaliska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Kalisz Narrow-Gauge Railway) – narrow-gauge railway in Greater Poland operated by Grupa SKPL company. Trains run seasonally on weekends on the Zbiersk – Złotniki Route (7,7 km). In the past the railway line was much longer – passenger and freigh trains ran between Kalisz and Turek.
Grupa SKPL – official website
Kolej Parkowa Maltanka (Malta Park Railway) – a very popular narrow-gauge railway in Poznań, Greater Poland. 600 mm railway runs on a short route from the station close to the artificial Malta Lake to the Zoological Garden. The tracks initially follow the lakeshore then the train passes through a small forest. Total length of the route is approximately 4 km. Trains run daily from April to September and on selected days. Usually diesel hauled trains, steam hauled trains are available on certain days.
Malta Park Railway – official website
Kolej Leśna Puszczy Białowieskiej (Białowieża Forest Railway) – a narrow-gauge railway operating on the Hajnówka Narrow Gauge – Topiło (11 km) and Hajnówka Narrow Gauge – Dolna Leśna (6 km) routes. Ticket prices are relatively high but reportedly worth it. The railway runs during the summer season.
Białowieża Forest Railway – official website
Kolej Wąskotorowa w Rudach (Rudy Narrow-Gauge Railway) – a narrow-gauge railway in Upper Silesia. Short rides on two routes: Rudy – Rybnik Stodoły (3 km) and Rudy Stanica (4 km). Trains run from April to September. Visitors can visit main depot and Cistercian Abbey in Rudy. The Rudy Stodoły station is located on the outskirts of the Rybnik city – 6 kilometers from the city centers and standard-gauge railway station.
Rudy Narrow-Gauge Railway – official website
Koszalińska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Koszalin Narrow-Gauge Railway) – an interesting narrow-gauge railway from Koszalin to Rosnowo (20 km). It runs from April to first weekend of November on weekends and daily on July and August. Diesel or steam hauled trains. The narrow-gauge station in Koszalin is situated next to standard-gauge station.
Koszalin Narrow-Gauge Railway – official website
Krośnicka Kolej Wąskotorowa (Krośnice Narrow-Gauge Railway) – a park railway in Lower Silesia officially opened on 25 May 2013. It operates daily during the summer season. The three-kilometer long route is situated within the Krośnice-Wierzchowice palace and park complex. Usually diesel hauled trains. Steam locomotive PX48-1907 manufactured runs on Saturdays and Sundays, while from Monday to Friday, services are operated by the WLS75-43 diesel locomotive.
The track gauge is 750 mm. The best way to reach the narrow-gauge railway station is by car, as a road and parking lot have been constructed for visitors. From the Krośnice railway station, it’s a three-kilometer walk.
Krośnice Narrow-Gauge Railway – official website
Mławska Kolej Dojazdowa (Mława Narrow-Gauge Railway) – narrow-gauge railway in Mazovia Woiwodeship abandoned for many years. Probably trains run several times a year on the routes Czernice Borowe – Chojnowo section (3.5 km) and on the Czernice Borowe – Klewki route (11 km). There were plans to rebuild the line to Przasnysz but I have no information about current situation. The railway has no official website or fanpage.
Nadmorska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Seaside Narrow-Gauge Railway) – one of the most dynamically operating narrow-gauge railways in Poland. In the summer season trains run daily on two routes: Gryfice – Pogorzelica (40 km) and Trzęsacz- Pogorzelica (10 km). It is a very popular tourist attraction. The railway has been revitalized, with infrastructure and stations renovated.
Seaside Narrow-Gauge Railway – official website
Nadwiślańska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Vistula Narrow-Gauge Railway) – seasonal narrow-gauge railway in Lublin voivodeship, not far from Kazimierz Dolny and Nałęczów. Trains run on weekends during summer season from Karczmiska to Polanówka stop (5 km). On the last Sunday of each month, the route is extended to Poniatowa station (10 km). There are plans to extend the route to Nałęczów in the future.
Vistula Narrow-Gauge Railway – official website
Piaseczyńska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Piaseczno Narrow-Gauge Railway) – a popular narrow-gauge railways near Warsaw. The railway operates every Sunday from April to October on the Piaseczno – Tarczyn Narrow Gauge – Piaseczno route (30 kilometers). The journey takes two hours. Departure from Piaseczno is at 11:00 AM, returning before 4:00 PM. There are heritage buses in summer season from passengers between Warsaw and Piaseczno.
Piaseczno Narrow-Gauge Railway – official website
Przeworska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Przeworsk Narrow-Gauge Railway) – must visit narrow-gauge railway which connects small towns Przeworsk and Dynów. The line was built between 1900 and 1904. Total length of the line is 46 km. During summer season trains pass through the tunnel in Szklarach, which is 602 meters long. The tunnel is closed in winter. Diesel hauled trains. The railway line has been recently rebuilt after flash floods damaged part of the line.
Narrow-gauge station in Przeworsk is located next to standard-gauge station. Przeworsk lies on the main railway line Kraków – Przemyśl.
Przeworsk Narrow-Gauge Railway – official website
Twinpigs Amusement Park Railway – a short narrow-gauge railway in amusement park Twinpigs in Żory in Upper Silesia. There are no information about gauge and length of the route.
Rogowska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Rogów Narrow-Gauge Railway) – short summer train rides on two routes: Rogów – Jeżów (7 km) with campfire and on selected days trains run also from Rawa Mazowiecka to Biała Rawska. The railway starts its season at the end of April, and trains run on Sundays until the end of September. Section between Jeżów and Rawa Mazowiecka is closed for passenger traffic but there are plans to rehabilitate this section and to run trains Rogów – Biała Rawska.
Rogów Narrow-Gauge station is located about 200 km from the standard-gauge station situated on the Warsaw – Łódź route.
Rogów Narrow-Gauge – official website
Sochaczew Narrow Gauge Railway Museum – a worth-visit railway museum in Sochaczew dedicated to the narrow-gauge railways. Museum has one of the largest narrow-gauge rolling stock collections in Europe. During summer station the museum runs heritage train from Sochaczew to Wilcze Tułowskie station (18 km). Train is comprised of diesel or steam locomotive and vintage passenger carriages. Tickets are quite expensive.
Sochaczew Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum – official website
Starachowicka Kolej Wąskotorowa (Starachowice Narrow-Gauge Railway) – seasonal trains on two routes: Starachowice – Lipie (6 km; journey time 20 minutes) and Iłża – Marcule (7 km; journey time 30 minutes). Both end stations are located in forest. There are plans to reconnect two sections of the railway. In Starachowice you can visit Industrial Eco-Museum (only guided tours) and Iłża is an interesting Polish town.
Starachowice Narrow-Gauge Railway – official website
Śmigielska Kolej Dojazdowa (Śmigiel Narrow-Gauge Railway) – short stretch of the former railway network. Public rides are available only four times a year. Trains run from Stare Bojanowo to Śmigiel (4 kilometers). The future of the railway is uncertain.
Średzka Kolej Powiatowa (Środa District Railway) – vintage trains running from May to September on short route between Środa Wielkopolska and Zaniemyśl in Greater Poland voivodeship. Trains cover the distance of 12 kilometers in one hour, so it is very slow ride. Steam or diesel hauled trains with vintage carriages.
Narrow-gauge stop is located close to the standard-gauge railway station “Środa Wielkopolska” between Poznań and Ostrów Wielkopolski
Środa District Railway – official website
Świętokrzyska Kolej Wąskotorowa – a narrow-gauge railway in Central Poland operating on the route Jędrzejów Wąskotorowy – Motkowice (17 km) from May to April on Sundays. Diesel hauled trains. There are plans to extend the line to Pińczów in the nearest future.
Świętokrzyska Kolej Wąskotorowa – official fanpage
Wigierska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Wigry Narrow-Gauge Railway) – a narrow-gauge railway in Płociczno near city of Suwałki in Podlaskie Voivodeship. Trains run between Płociczno Tartak – Krusznik station on weekends in summer. Total length of the route is 10 km. The route lead along the Wigry Lake and through forest. Diesel hauled trains. Tickets are relatively expensive. Access by city bus no 4 from Suwałki or by foot from Płociczno train station (4 km).
Wigry Narrow-Gauge Railway – official website
Wyrzyska Kolej Wąskotorowa (Wyrzysk Narrow-Gauge Railway) – a narrow-gauge railway operating on weekends during summer season on the shot route Białośliwie Wąskotorowe – Pobórka Wielka (6 km). Białośliwie is located on the standard-gauge route between Piła and Bydgoszcz.
Wyrzysk Narrow-Gauge Railway – official fanpage
Żnińska Kolej Powiatowa (Żnin District Railway) – a very popular narrow-gauge railway from May to September (first weekend) on the route Żnin – Gąsawa (11 km). Żnin is a charming town with a lake, in Wenecja you can visit narrow-gauge railway museum and Biskupiec is famous for reconstructed ancient fortified settlement that also serves as an archaeological open-air museum.
Żnin District Railway – official website
Żuławska Kolej Dojazdowa – diesel hauled trains and railbuses operating on the routes Sztutowo – Prawy Brzeg Wisły and Stegna Gdańska – Nowy Dwór – Tuja not far from the city of Gdańsk. During spring and summer railway operates daily.
Żuławska Kolej Dojazdowa – official website
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