Industrial Railway Museum in Zbýšov

The Industrial Railway Museum in Zbýšov (Muzeum průmyslových železnic) is a privately run narrow-gauge railway museum built on the grounds of the former Jindřich II mine, southwest of Brno in the Brno-venkov district.

What is this place?

The museum is operated by a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting, restoring and presenting rolling stock from Czech industrial railways. The site's history goes back to 1862, when a coal siding was first built to serve the local mines. Coal mining in Zbýšov ended in 1991, and in 2005 the museum took over the site, converting the old railway route into a narrow-gauge line and launching demonstration rides along it.

What makes the line distinctive is its gauge: 600 mm, a considerable narrowing compared with the standard European gauge of 1435 mm. Converting an existing route to a different gauge like this is unusual in the Czech Republic, and it's one of the main reasons the museum stands out from other railway attractions in the region.

What will you see?

The collection numbers around a hundred rail vehicles, including 45 locomotives. Among them are steam locomotives dating from 1913 to 1951, diesel locomotives from 1940 to 1981, and a genuine rarity — a Siemens electric locomotive from 1905, over a century old. It's this mix of propulsion types and eras that makes the collection worth a visit, not just for railway enthusiasts but for anyone drawn to an unusual industrial-heritage stop.

On site in Zbýšov there's a small station with a locomotive depot and an exhibition covering the history of industrial railways and mining machinery. There's also a small children's playground and a refreshment stand, so a visit can easily stretch into a half-day outing.

How to get there and when to visit?

The museum sits in Zbýšov, a little over a dozen kilometres southwest of Brno — the easiest way in is by car or local public transport towards Rosice and Babice u Rosic.

One thing to keep in mind: this isn't a museum you can walk into any day of the week. Access to the grounds and rides on the narrow-gauge line are limited to scheduled demonstration runs, held every Saturday in July and August. The route runs from Zbýšov to Babice u Rosic and to Zastávka. It's worth checking the current Saturday schedule before planning a trip, since visiting on any other day means limited or no access to the rolling stock and exhibition.

Who is it for?

This is primarily a destination for railway and industrial-history enthusiasts, but it works just as well as a family day trip — a ride on the narrow-gauge train, a walk around the station and locomotive depot, and a playground for younger visitors add up to a relaxed afternoon out. It's also a good pick for anyone interested in the less obvious industrial traces of coal mining left behind around Brno.

Frequently asked questions

When can you visit the Industrial Railway Museum in Zbýšov? The museum runs rides and opens its grounds only on Saturdays in July and August, as part of scheduled demonstration runs.

What gauge does the museum's railway use? The line runs on a 600 mm gauge, a conversion from the original standard European gauge of 1435 mm.

Where do the museum's trains travel? Routes connect Zbýšov with Babice u Rosic and Zastávka.

What's in the museum's collection? Around a hundred rail vehicles, including 45 locomotives — steam locomotives from 1913–1951, diesel locomotives from 1940–1981, and a historic Siemens electric locomotive from 1905.

Is there anything for children at the museum? Yes, the station grounds in Zbýšov include a small playground and a refreshment stand for visitors.