Ełcka Kolej Wąskotorowa
Historic narrow-gauge railway run by the Historical Museum in Ełk, with tourist rides from Ełk to Sypitki and an educational trail in the old engine shed.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ełk Narrow-Gauge Railway (Ełcka Kolej Wąskotorowa) was built in 1912–1918, and its ceremonial opening took place in 1913. The first sections linked Ełk with Borzymy and Laski Małe with Zawady Tworki. For many years the railway played an important economic role, carrying both passengers and freight. In 1991 it was entered in the register of monuments because of its historical value and its beauty.
EKW is one of the few narrow-gauge railways in Poland and the only one in Warmia and Masuria that is still operating today. Since 2014 it has belonged to the Historical Museum in Ełk, whose seat has been in the former station building on the revitalised railway site since 2018.
Tourist trains are currently pulled by the Lyd1 (WLs150) diesel locomotive, and passengers ride in enclosed or open carriages. The route from Ełk to Sypitki and back is 30 km long, running between the lakes Selmęt Wielki and Regielskie, and the whole trip takes three hours, including a one-and-a-half-hour stop in Sypitki. In the old engine shed the museum also offers an interactive educational trail, “Co kryje stara lokomotywownia?”.
Highlights
- Historic narrow-gauge railway from 1913, the only one in operation in Warmia and Masuria
- Ride from Ełk to Sypitki behind the Lyd1 (WLs150) diesel locomotive
- Route between the lakes Selmęt Wielki and Regielskie
- Stop in Sypitki with a campfire, a water mill and an eel smokehouse
- Interactive educational trail in the old engine shed
- “Pociąg do Kultury” (Train to Culture) events with concerts on board
Permanent exhibition
- Co kryje stara lokomotywownia? – Interactive educational trail in the historic engine shed; admission is free, but the number of places is very limited.
- Founded
- 1912
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 46 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 23 złschool children and young people, students, pensioners and annuitants, veterans and war veterans, persons with disabilities in disability groups I and II and disabled persons, holders of the Ełcka Karta Dużej Rodziny 3+ (Ełk Large Family Card), the Ełcka Karta Seniora (Ełk Senior Card) and the nationwide Large Family Card |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 2 · Children under 3 years of age ride free when accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | 23 złDiscount for pensioners and annuitants and for holders of the Ełk Senior Card. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 23 zł |
| Students & apprentices | 23 zł |
| Groups | –A charter ride with the Lyd-1 locomotive costs from PLN 1,200 (38 seats, children and young people) or PLN 1,800 (adults) up to PLN 3,200 or PLN 3,800 (178 seats). |
| Charter ride – 1 carriage (38 seats), children and young people | 1,200 złAdults PLN 1,800. Price for the entire train. |
| Charter ride – 5 carriages (178 seats), children and young people | 3,200 złAdults PLN 3,800. Price for the entire train. |
The prices shown include VAT; discounts cannot be combined. The number of places is limited and seats are not numbered. Card payment is accepted. Tickets are available at the museum ticket office and online. The educational trail in the engine shed is free of charge.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: not available
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
At the Sypitki stop there are shelters, benches and toilets, including for people with disabilities. In the museum building at ul. Wąski Tor 1 the exhibition and educational rooms are barrier-free, there is a ramp at the main entrance, and there are disabled parking spaces on the site. Assistance dogs are allowed in the buildings. The museum does not provide a sign language interpreter. The website gives no information on whether the railway carriages are adapted for wheelchairs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 3 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Playground / play area
The railway is advertised as an adventure for the whole family. There is a playground at the Sypitki stop, and in summer “Holiday Stops” take place with theatre, a guide and an animator. Children under 3 ride free.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
In your navigation app it is best to enter “Parking Muzeum Historycznego w Ełku”, ul. Suwalska 2a.
- Accessible parking
The EKW starting station is at ul. Wąski Tor 1 in Ełk, on the premises of the Historical Museum’s seat.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
During the season (May–September) a food stand in Sypitki sells waffles, ice cream and meals; in July and August there is also a stand selling ice cream and iced coffee.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The whole trip lasts 3 hours: 45 minutes of travel in each direction and a 1.5-hour break in Sypitki with a campfire (sticks provided; bring your own provisions). Orders and information: tel. +48 534 535 004 or +48 87 610 00 00, zamowienia@muzeum.elk.pl. |
