Курганская детская железная дорога, railway line in Russia
Kurgan Children's Railway is a narrow-gauge line running through the city's central park with two stations called Pionerskaja and Zvezdochka. The route features small painted locomotives and passenger cars, includes a bridge crossing the Tobol River, and takes visitors through green areas with rest zones near the riverbank.
Construction began in 1986 and the railway opened in 1989 as an educational project to build interest in railroads among children. Major upgrades occurred in 2010 and 2011 when tracks and station structures were reinforced, followed by new diesel locomotives and modern cars arriving in 2012.
The railway takes its name from the Pioneer station, evoking the youth organizations of Soviet times that shaped local culture. Families use this place as a gathering spot where children connect with railway work in a meaningful way.
The railway operates mainly during warm months and on weekends, so checking hours in advance is helpful. Both stations have platforms for easy boarding and green areas for walking around, usable even when trains are not running.
The route crosses the Tobol River on a bridge just over 160 feet (50 meters) long, which becomes especially striking during spring flooding when water swells the river. This structure stands out as one of the line's most notable features and showcases the engineering that went into building this small railway.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
