Ełcka Kolej Wąskotorowa, Heritage railway in Ełk, Poland.
The Ełcka Kolej Wąskotorowa is a narrow-gauge railway connecting Ełk to Turowo across approximately 38 kilometers, using historical rolling stock and vintage locomotives. Several station stops dot the route where passengers board and disembark.
The railway was built in 1912 by Prussian authorities and the Lenz & Co company, initially operating with 1000-millimeter gauge tracks. In 1951 the gauge was converted to 750 millimeters, establishing the configuration that exists today.
The narrow-gauge design remains central to how locals and visitors perceive this railway today, with the compact trains and intimate station spaces reflecting an earlier era of regional transport. Walking through the depot and riding the small-gauge cars connects people to how communities once moved goods and passengers on a human scale.
Visitors can choose between riding in closed carriages or open summer wagons, pulled by either diesel locomotives or a steam engine. The warmer months offer the most options for different types of cars to experience.
The railway served a critical supply role during World War Two and was later restored to carry both passengers and freight again. It stands as a reminder of how these lines once formed vital connections for small communities across Eastern Europe.
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