Europe erased them, but this Ukrainian town kept its narrow-gauge train
Photo: Haivoron preserved Europe’s last narrow-gauge railway (Facebook/Haivoron Narrow-Gauge Railway)
In the heart of Ukraine's Kirovohrad region lies a little-known town where a narrow-gauge railway still operates something no longer used anywhere else in Europe. This is Haivoron, a town where time stands still when a steam locomotive rolls out of the depot. The train is real, historic, and not locked away in a museum. You can touch it with your own hands.
Haivoron: Small town with big history
Haivoron is a modest town on the Southern Bug River, famous for its railway heritage. Here lies one of Europe's last surviving narrow-gauge railways, with a track width of just 750 mm.
Although most of its routes have long been shut down, the narrow-gauge railway survives not just technically, but also in the hearts of those who preserve it.
Photo: Haivoron station (Wikipedia)
Unique narrow-gauge line: Tourist treasure
In the 19th and 20th centuries, this narrow-gauge network served as a vital artery for transporting goods and people between villages and towns in Podillia.
The railway once connected Haivoron to Bershad, Vapniarka, and Haisyn. In 2021, a retro train with a steam locomotive ran here for the last time, an event so significant that tickets sold out within hours.
Photo: Bershad-Haivoron section (Wikipedia)
Bridge over the Southern Bug and scenic nature
Haivoron is situated on the banks of the Southern Bug River. An old yet functional railway bridge spans the river, still used by the narrow-gauge line. It's an ideal spot for walks, fishing, or peaceful rest in nature.
The Haivoron depot is unique for preserving old narrow-gauge cars, tracks, turntables, and even steam locomotives. Parts of the line remain functional, and local enthusiasts frequently organize photo tours, exhibitions, and historical train rides.
Photo: Rudnytsia-Haivoron narrow-gauge railway (Wikipedia)
Europe's last narrow-gauge passenger train
Haivoron was home to the last regularly operating narrow-gauge passenger route in Europe. Although currently suspended, thanks to the efforts of activists and railway workers, it may be revived, at the very least, as a tourist attraction.
Town worth visiting
The town is easy to reach by train or bus. It is small and safe, and perfect for a one-day trip. With no tourist crowds and the sincere hospitality of locals, Haivoron offers an experience that lets you truly reset.
Photo: Commemorative technical landmark MT-202 locomotive (Wikipedia)
Paradise for fans
The town is gradually becoming a hub for niche retro-tourism. Railway fans, photographers, and travelers who want to feel old Europe without glitz and reconstructions flock here. Everything is authentic.
Why Haivoron feels like European
- Narrow-gauge routes reminiscent of those in the Austrian, Czech, or Swiss Alps
- Retro trains and depots akin to German railway museums
- A cityscape with railway elements, like in small towns across Central Europe
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Sources: TheGARD.city, Travel24, Wikipedia.
