The Children’s Railway (official name: Small South-Western Railway) was opened in August 1953 in Syretsky Park, which was then still a wasteland next to Babi Yar. It was built through the efforts of railroad workers of the South-Western Railway and Komsomol members. The first train on the children’s railway was driven by driver Pyotr Krivonos, who at that time was the head of the South Western Railway.
At the time of opening, the children’s railway had a Gr-336 steam locomotive (made in Germany), as well as 5 wooden carriages. A little later, diesel locomotives TU1-001 and TU2-021 were delivered here. The road was a loop, there was one dead-end station – “Komsomolskaya”, another station on the ring – “Pionerskaya” and another station “Technical”, which in those days was intended only for the storage of rolling stock. Also, a large viaduct was built on the children’s railway (bridge) across a ravine, the height of which is 20 meters and the length is 100 meters.
In the 1960s, construction began on the area around the children’s railway. In connection with this, the Komsomolskaya station was closed, and the road itself was looped. Inside the ring there is a lintel, which is not currently in use due to the fact that it is heavily overgrown with trees. A little north of the former Komsomolskaya station, at the junction of the jumper with the large circle, the Yablonka station was built. Later, the re-equipment of the road began – it received 8 Pafawag cars and 4 PV51 cars, from which 3 trains were formed. And at the end of the 80s, the road received two TU7 diesel locomotives – No. 3192 and No. 3197.
After the 90s, difficult times came for the road, but through the efforts of the head of the road and the remaining instructors, it was possible to defend it. However, all PV51 cars and 4 Pafawag cars were written off. A steam locomotive was also purchased and removed, and the diesel locomotive TU1 was laid up. In 1999, a fire occurred at the Pionerskaya station – the station building was completely destroyed (subsequently a catering establishment was built in its place, and the platform itself is now not in use), and the TU1 diesel locomotive was also cut into scrap metal. After 2000, the TU2 diesel locomotive was laid up.
By 2001, the road was reconstructed – all stations were repaired, the “Technical” station was renamed “Cherry” and now became the main station. Both TU7 diesel locomotives were put in order, 3 Pafawag cars were also repaired, but there was not enough money for the fourth, and it was subsequently removed. An educational building with 2 classrooms and a computer room was built at the Vishenka station. Construction of the depot began at the same time, which dragged on until 2005. In 2005, the TU2 diesel locomotive was removed from the road, but the Gr-336 steam locomotive was returned, which now drives trains at the opening of the road and on holidays. Now all rolling stock is parked in a fenced area.
The road is equipped with semi-automatic blocking, and there is train, station and locomotive radio communication. In 2017, all tracks and crossings, including the viaduct, were overhauled. There are a total of 13 traffic lights on the road, including 2 traffic lights. There is an unguarded crossing near the Vishenka station. Currently, the railway operates from May to the end of August; in total, more than 500 children are involved in the “Young Railway Worker” clubs.
Where is the Kiev children’s railway?
Timofey Shamrylo street, 4
(044) 458-48-34
operating hours – only in the warm season and on certain days