Chomutov depository of the National technical museum

The Chomutov depository of the National Technical Museum holds one of the largest collections of historic railway vehicles anywhere in the Czech Republic, tucked right next to the Czech Railways depot on the edge of town. For anyone who loves machines with a story, this open-air site of tracks and sheds is a rare chance to walk among steam giants and postwar workhorses side by side.

What will you see there?

The site is home to nearly a hundred rail vehicles of different gauges and eras. The oldest piece on display is a steam locomotive built in 1870; the newest is a snowplow from 1980. In between sits a broad cross-section of Czechoslovak railway history: locomotives from the former state railway (ČSD), salon carriages, passenger and railcar units, electric and diesel locomotives, and historic hand-pushed trolleys. Some vehicles arrived here only recently, pulled straight out of regular service on the Czech rail network.

Among the standout exhibits are several steam locomotives, including one that once set a speed record of 162 km/h, the first steam locomotive built in Czechoslovakia after the Second World War, and a rare tram-steam locomotive — a hybrid type built to run on tram-style tracks.

How do you get there?

The depository sits on Černovická Street, right next to the Globus shopping centre (in the direction of Karlovy Vary). The fenced grounds can only be entered via a marked path leading from the Globus car park — there is no direct entrance from the town side. The easiest approach is by car or local bus to a stop near the shopping centre, followed by a short walk along the signed route.

When should you visit?

The site is open to visitors seasonally, from April to October, four days a week — Friday through Sunday — from 10:00 to 18:00. Outside this window the depository is closed to tourist traffic, so it's worth checking the current schedule before setting out, especially near the start or end of the season.

What else should you know before you go?

Most of the grounds are open-air tracks and shelters, so a visit largely means walking outdoors — dress for the weather. The museum has announced plans to expand the site: two new halls and nearly two kilometres of additional track are planned, intended to display even more vehicles under better conditions. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and run for about two years, which may affect access to parts of the grounds during that period.

Beyond the trains themselves, the Chomutov depository is a window into the industrial history of the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory) region, where the railway played a central role in the growth of local mining and heavy industry.

Frequently asked questions

How many vehicles are on display at the depository? The collection includes nearly a hundred rail vehicles, ranging from 19th-century steam locomotives to equipment retired from service in the late 20th century.

Is the depository open all year round? No — visits are only possible seasonally, from April to October, Friday through Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00.

How do you get to the depository? The easiest way is via the Globus shopping centre on Černovická Street, from where a marked path leads onto the site.

What is the collection's biggest highlight? Among the most prized exhibits are a record-setting steam locomotive that reached 162 km/h and the first steam locomotive built in Czechoslovakia after World War II.