Historická lesná úvraťová železnica

About the museum

The Historic Forest Switchback Railway is a preserved and functionally restored section of the former Kysuce-Orava Forest Railway. It was formed in 1926 by joining forest railways built in 1915 to 1918: the Kysuce line from Oščadnica to Chmúra (the Vychylovka part of the village of Nová Bystrica) and the Orava line from Lokca to Erdútka, today Oravská Lesná. After the connection the whole network was more than 110 km long, of which 61 km was the main line.

Operations ended at the end of 1971, and apart from the 8 km section Chmúra – Tanečník with its valuable switchback system, the track was dismantled. The switchback system overcomes a height difference of 217.69 m over a straight-line distance of 1,500 m, and it is one of two preserved in Europe. In 1974 the Kysuce Museum in Čadca took over the remaining track and vehicles, with the aim of restoring it as a museum railway within an ethnographic exhibition. Since 1991 the line has borne its present name and is a national cultural monument; since 1995 officially approved passenger services have run on the section Kubátkovia – Chmúra – 1st switchback.

Historic steam and diesel locomotives and carriages are used here. The railway is a separate museum exhibition and at the same time transports visitors to the open-air museum; it runs during the season from May to October.

Highlights

• One of two preserved switchback systems in Europe
• Ride on a diesel train: Station Skanzen – First Switchback (6.8 km)
• Motor draisine ride to Sedlo Beskyd station (12 km)
• Historic steam and diesel locomotives and carriages
• Part of the Museum of the Kysuce Village

Permanent exhibition

• Historická lesná úvraťová železnica – A museum railway with a diesel train and a motor draisine along the preserved part of the Kysuce-Orava Forest Railway, with its switchback system.

Operated by

Kysucké múzeum v Čadci (Žilinský samosprávny kraj)

Admission & discounts

The prices apply to a ride on the motor locomotive on the route Station Skanzen – First Switchback and back (6.8 km). Tickets for the grounds of the Museum of the Kysuce Village and train tickets are bought separately. Museum employees in Slovakia with a ZMS card enter free; holders of an ITIC card with a valid sticker receive a 50% discount. Payment is possible in cash or by card; tickets can be bought online or at the ticket office.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

Prams and bicycles are not carried on the train; there is space for storing them at the station. Dogs may enter only on a lead and muzzled.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

A family ticket costs €25; prams are not carried on the train.

Getting there & parking

Station Skanzen is next to the Museum of the Kysuce Village in the Chmúra valley, at Vychylovka (Nová Bystrica).

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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