At ul. Jaracza 4 in Węgorzewo, 10 km from Poza Zgiełkiem, is the Railway Heritage Museum – a remarkable place for lovers of transport history. The exhibition traces the story of Prussian and Polish railways in Masuria, from the imperial era to modern times, through models, uniforms and original railway equipment.
Prussian railways in Masuria – history of the network
In the 19th century, Prussia built an extensive railway network in Masuria, connecting all major towns in the region. Węgorzewo was an important railway hub – trains passed through the station on routes from Königsberg to Gołdap and beyond. During World War I and II, the railway played a key military role – transporting troops and supplies. After 1945, many lines were dismantled or destroyed, but traces of the old infrastructure are still visible in the regional landscape.
Exhibits – uniforms, models and lamps
The museum displays a collection of original railway workers' uniforms from various eras, model trains at different scales, historical railway lamps, signals and track tools. Particularly interesting is the section dedicated to the Masurian narrow-gauge railway – small steam locomotives that served the narrow-gauge lines connecting villages and small towns in the region. The museum also features a photographic exhibition documenting life at railway stations in the first half of the 20th century.
Motorised draisine ride with a guide – the main attraction
The true gem of the museum is the chance to ride a motorised draisine on historic railway tracks around Węgorzewo – with a guide who recounts the history of the line, former stations and the Masurian railway network. This is a unique experience found nowhere else in the region: you travel on a historic rail vehicle through the Masurian landscape – forests, meadows and quiet villages – exactly as people did a hundred years ago. Rides are organised during the tourist season; it is worth calling ahead to book a time, as the draisine is very popular.
Practical information
The Railway Heritage Museum is located at ul. Jaracza 4 in Węgorzewo, about 10 km from Poza Zgiełkiem. Rated 4.3/5 on TripAdvisor. The museum is small – a visit takes about 45–60 minutes. It is worth calling ahead to confirm opening hours, especially outside the tourist season. Nominal admission charge. Restaurants serving traditional Masurian cuisine are nearby. The museum is about 700 metres from the Folk Culture Museum – both can be visited on the same day.
Visitor tip
Call ahead and book the motorised draisine ride – it is the highlight of the visit and very popular. Combine with the Folk Culture Museum (700 m away) and a walk around the port – the whole outing takes half a day and gives a thorough introduction to Węgorzewo. Planning to travel by train? Our [[guide to getting to Masuria|dojazd-na-mazury]] covers routes from Warsaw, Gdańsk and Berlin.
Photo: pieknagora.pl
