Kyiv's Children's Railway Shifts to Year-Round Operation
For the first time in its history, the Kyiv Children's Railway will remain open throughout the year, including the winter season. This change has been made possible by introducing winter operations, something not practiced since the railway first opened. The railway operates autonomously using diesel locomotives and does not rely on external power sources, ensuring continuous service even in cold weather. Passenger carriages are heated, providing comfortable conditions for riders.
Schedule and Rolling Stock
The railway will operate on designated weekends until May, with a specific winter timetable already set. Trains in February, March, and April will run according to the following schedule:
- 11:10
- 11:50
- 13:10
- 13:50
- 15:10
- 16:30
The railway's rolling stock includes a steam locomotive, three diesel locomotives, 11 passenger carriages, three freight wagons, and a handcar. Typically, services are run by a train consisting of a diesel locomotive and several passenger carriages, while the steam locomotive is used as the engine on special occasions.
This move is significant for the development of the children's railway and offers new recreational opportunities for children during winter. On the first weekend of May in 2025, the Kyiv Children's Railway plans to launch its 72nd season, welcoming young trainees from various regions of Ukraine, including Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and frontline communities in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
This new year-round schedule was made possible by implementing modern technologies and ensuring an autonomous power supply, allowing the railway to function during winter conditions. This initiative may boost tourist interest in the children's railway and create new opportunities for the educational and cultural development of children, who can now enjoy rides even in the colder months. Children's railways are a unique educational tradition in many post-Soviet states, where young people learn about railway operations.