Muzeum Kolejnictwa w Kościerzynie

About the museum

The railway reached Kościerzyna on 15 May 1882. After Poland regained independence, the town found itself on the coal trunk line linking Silesia with the then-emerging Gdynia, so the local railway junction was expanded, and in 1929 a four-stall through-type locomotive shed was built, which has survived to this day. In the 1930s traffic in Kościerzyna was at its busiest.

As steam traction was replaced by diesel, the locomotive shed lost its importance. On 1 November 1992 the Skansen PKP Kościerzyna (PKP Kościerzyna Open-Air Museum) was established on the site; it collected and conserved exhibits related to the history of the railway and kept locomotives in working order, running retro trains. After the PKP was split up in 2001, the open-air museum was taken over by PKP Cargo, and in 2009 the facility, now called the Muzeum Kolejnictwa w Kościerzynie (Railway Museum in Kościerzyna), became a branch of the Muzeum Ziemi Kościerskiej (Museum of the Kościerzyna Land).

The museum has the largest and still growing collection of rail vehicles in northern Poland, and the historic locomotive hall with its workshop rooms is also an attraction. Since 2013 a multi-stage project called “Pomorska Kolej Skarbnica” (Pomeranian Railway Treasury) has been under way. It covers the revitalisation of the locomotive hall and the office building from the 1930s, and the preparation of the former workshops for a new multimedia permanent exhibition.

From April to October the miniature railway “Romek” runs across the museum grounds, and visitors can also ride a handcar. The museum runs museum lessons and workshops for children and young people.

Highlights

• The largest collection of rail vehicles in northern Poland
• Historic four-stall locomotive shed from 1929
• Miniature railway “Romek” (April–October)
• Ride on a handcar
• Museum lessons and railway workshops

Permanent exhibitions

• Ekspozycja taboru kolejowego – The richest collection of rail vehicles in northern Poland, presented on the grounds of the former locomotive shed.
• Zabytkowa hala parowozowni – Four-stall locomotive shed from 1929 with workshop rooms.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Muzeum Ziemi Kościerskiej im. dra Jerzego Knyby

Admission & discounts

The ticket to the Muzeum Ziemi Kościerskiej and the Muzeum Akordeonu (Accordion Museum) costs separately PLN 10 (standard), PLN 8 (reduced) and PLN 7 (group).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

On the museum grounds there are no stairs that are the only route to part of the exhibition. Visitor toilets are at ground level in a room adjoining the locomotive hall, and one of them is adapted for people with disabilities. The car park in front of the museum gate has three designated spaces for people with mobility impairments.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Children can ride the miniature railway and the handcar. The museum runs art workshops for children from age 5 (including railway origami and railway collages). Children under four enter free of charge.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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