Bānītis — Gulbene–Alūksne Narrow Gauge Heritage Railway

SIA "Gulbenes – Alūksnes bānītis"
Latvia
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The Journey

Navigate from Gulbene (Bānītis heritage centre) to Alūksne (heritage timber station) across a span of 33km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Six hand-worked timber level crossings in active road use, including the Elstes and Stāmeriena crossings
  • 1.9 km approach to Alūksne passing the eastern shore of Lake Stāmeriena
  • The timber-built Kalniena halt platform, used only on request
  • Views over the Alūksne Upland from the approach into Alūksne station
  • Forest glades with wild boar, elk and red deer (occasionally seen at dawn and dusk)
  • Stāmeriena Lutheran church and 19th-century manor house visible from the request stop
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    2 hours

  • Distance

    33 km

  • Est. Price
Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Axle Load

7 t

Max Speed

40 km/h

Average Speed

16.5 km/h

Annual Passengers

~50,000

Tractive Effort

220 kW

Gauge Origin

Imperial Russian 750 mm gauge, retained from the 1903 Liepāja–Romny network

Regulatory Status

Regulated public passenger rail service under EU Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007

Heritage Designation

Listed in the Latvian State Inspection for Heritage Protection register as a cultural-historical object (line and Alūksne station)

Diesel Locomotives

Three TU7A diesel-hydraulic locomotives from the 1980s (Russian 750 mm narrow-gauge mainline class)

Passenger Coaches

Five 1960s Polish-built 24-seat coaches + four 1980s Polish-built 40-seat coaches

Special Rolling Stock

One TU2 diesel railcar (1956, retained for special-event workings and winter Santa Express) and one Gr steam locomotive (ex-Latvian State Railways, retained for ceremonial workings)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    2 hours

  • Distance

    33 km

  • Est. Price
Official Booking Provider