Czech Republic

The world’s shortest international railway

Posted on by Andrew Grantham

What is claimed to be the “shortest international railway” runs for a few metres between Nové Údolí in the Czech Republic and the other side of the now-open border with Germany.

The standard gauge line is on the alignment of a former railway which was fatally severed by the events of the 20th century. Not far away is a small railway museum in an old wagon, and also a rebuilt section of iron curtain.

The international line is operated using a push-along trolley made to look like a steam loco, complete with smoke. Unfortunately it only carries children, so I couldn’t ride on it when I visted on 3 August 2019; I did ask!

Czech railways in 2003

Posted on by Andrew Grantham

In October 2003 I spent a week in the Czech Republic, touring the Czech rail network, and sampling the odd local beer or four.


[Photo of CD railbus 810 055-4]

Railbus 810 055-4 was part of the stock of the 12.36 from Marianske Lazne to Karlovy Vary dolni, where it is seen shortly after arriving at around 14.14 on 2003-10-05.


[Photo of EMU 451 068-1]
Electric multiple-unit 451 068-1 stands at Praha hlavni with service Os 9143, the 11.23 to Benesov u Prahy, on 2003-10-06. Despite the impressive front end the train was a bit grotty inside.


[Steam loco on level crossing]
The 120th anniversary of the Krupa – Kolesovice line was celebrated on 4th and 5th October 2003. Steam loco 434.2186 hauled a Praha Masarykovo – Kladno – Luzna train, which connected with a Luzna – Krupa – Kolesovice special pulled by 434.1100, seen above running round the train at Kolesovice. Preserved railcar M131.1130 was also in operation.
Details from Rinbad.


[Derelict, rusting steam loco]
A very dead kettle in the railway museum at Luzna.


[Steam loco
Preserved loco in the Luzna museum. Only the front of it has been restored – inside the shed, some of the wheels are missing!


[Czech train]
A train for Tabor leaves Bechyne, over the impressive concrete viaduct which is shared with road traffic.


[View out of train window]
A Bechyne-bound train passing our train for Tabor. There are some more photos of this rather nice line on a 100th anniversary website.


[Diesel loco]
Diesel loco leaving at Jindrichuv Hradec on the 760 mm gauge JHMD line to Obratan.

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