Malaya Yuzhno-Uralskaya railway, railway line in Russia
The Malaya Yuzhno-Uralskaya railway is a narrow-gauge train line for children in the Tsentralny City District of Chelyabinsk, running through a park and forest area and stretching over 5.5 kilometers in total. Along the route there are six small stations with names like Sunny and Star, where small trains pulled by TU2 locomotives carry visitors between different stopping points.
The railway opened in 1949 after being planned before World War II but delayed due to wartime resource constraints. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was expanded with new stations and better trains, becoming a symbol of childhood for many local families.
The railway takes its name from the South Ural region, reflecting its connection to the area's identity and local heritage. Visitors can observe how families use this place to spend time together and teach children about trains, showing how important it is for the community's recreational life.
The railway operates mainly from May to September when the weather is warm and suitable for outings, typically about five days a week. The nearby park has benches and small cafes where families can relax while waiting for their train ride.
The trains are powered by TU2 locomotives specifically built for the narrow gauge, which are not loud but provide a gentle ride. Even more interesting is that a new TU10-015 locomotive arrived in late 2012, though newer models are currently not in use due to repairs.
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