Small Southern Children’s Railway

Mala Pivdenna zaliznytsa
Malaya Yuzhnaya railways
Opened: November 8, 1940. Reopened: August 5, 1945
Length: 3.8 km
Location: Forest park in the northern part of the city
2 stations: Park, Lesopark,

1 halt: Memorial
Engineering works: the locomotive depot, two bridges, an overpass
Rolling stock: diesel locomotives, 6 carriages, 1 freight car
(earlier: steam locomotives, diesel locomotive, 12 coaches (2 sets of 6 cars: "Orlenok" and "Pioneer")
Address: Ukraine, Kharkiv, Sumska Street 81, Children's railway

The Small Southern is one of the oldest. The formal opening of the Children's Railway (the ChRW) was held on November 8, 1940. The railway was built on the initiative of the Institute of Railroad Engineers in the years before the Second World War. Under the new project the Children's Railway was planned to be located there where it is now - from Gorky Park to Forest Park in the city's northern suburbs. In the autumn of 1940 the railway station designed by architect E.A. Lymar, a locomotive depot, bridges and other infrastructure including approximately 1,5 kilometres of the line were constructed. On June 22, 1941, fascist Germany attacked the Soviet Union. Because of the real threat of capture of Kharkiv by fascist armies, the Children's Railway was closed, having worked only a few months. It was impossible to evacuate the rolling stock from the Children's Railway. Kharkiv suffered much from fascists. Naturally, after the war, first of all it was necessary to restore the city. Only in April, 1945 the authority took the decision to restore the ChRW and to extend it by two kilometres. In July, 1945, the work was completed.

From May to November, young railroad enthusiasts and students of Kharkiv schools come here to acquire knowledge and practical skills in this industry. They drive locomotives, work as train attendants, switchmen, and yard masters.

The Small Southern rolling stock consists of diesel locomotives, about fifteen passenger carriages, and two steam locomotives in honorary "retirement". However, with the trend for retro-style vehicles, they might return one day to entertain the public who have only seen steam engines in old picture books.

The Children's Railway is very popular with the Kharkivites and guests and has about 20,000 to 30,000 visitors annually. In its northern section Gorky Park borders on Forest Park, which is a large natural forest tract covering an area of over 2,000 hectares. This is the largest wooded area within the city limits. It renders its special beauty and makes an excellent location for picnicking and recreation. An absolutely genuine railroad bridge connecting Gorky Park with Forest Park gives special charm to the Children's Railway.

1. When was the Children’s Railway opened?

2. Where is the ChRW located?

3. Who designed it?

4. How many kilometres does the ChRW extend?

5. How can the ChRW be applied by young railroadmen in their professional training?

6. What does the ChRW rolling stock consist of?

7. Have you visited the ChRW? If yes, what do you think of it? If no, would you like to visit it?

Дата добавления: 2015-11-28