Železniční muzeum Rokytnice v Orlických horách

The Railway Museum in Rokytnice v Orlických horách occupies a century-old former steam locomotive depot right next to the town's railway station in the Orlické Mountains (Rychnov nad Kněžnou district). It is a small, hands-on exhibition dedicated to the local Doudleby nad Orlicí – Vamberk – Rokytnice v Orlických horách railway line and to the wider history of rail travel in the region.

What is inside the museum?

The centrepiece is steam locomotive 328.011, built in 1956, parked on a section of track inside the old depot hall. Around it, the exhibition displays photographs, documents and smaller three-dimensional artefacts tracing the story of the local line and the people who kept it running. A neighbouring building attached to the depot houses a railway carriage fitted out with a model railway layout, along with further indoor displays covering daily station life and rolling stock. The newest addition is a hand-pump draisine ride — a rare chance to propel yourself along the rails using nothing but your own arm strength.

Why does the building matter?

The museum operates inside the original 1906 locomotive shed, built together with the railway line connecting Rokytnice with Vamberk and Doudleby nad Orlicí. The building is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, which explains why it has survived largely intact, with the boxy industrial silhouette typical of early 20th-century railway architecture. Standing on the platform of Rokytnice station, it is impossible to miss — the depot forms the backdrop to almost every train arriving in or leaving the town.

How do you get there?

The museum sits directly beside Rokytnice v Orlických horách railway station, so arriving by train — on the very line the exhibition documents — is the most fitting way in. It is only a short walk from the town centre to the station. Drivers will find parking nearby, and Rokytnice itself lies in the heart of the Orlické Mountains, close to popular hiking trails heading up into the higher ridges of the range.

When should you visit?

The museum does not operate year-round. From May to October it opens on Saturdays, 10:00–16:00, and in July and August it adds Sundays in the same hours. Outside the main summer season it is worth calling or emailing ahead to confirm opening times, and organised groups can also arrange a visit outside the regular schedule.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book tickets in advance? No — this is a small, locally run exhibition, and tickets are simply bought on-site during opening hours, without prior reservation.

How long does a visit take? The exhibition itself usually takes 45–60 minutes, but if you add the draisine ride, plan for around two hours in total.

Is the museum suitable for children? Yes. Getting close to the exhibits — including the locomotive itself and the chance to ride the hand-pump draisine — makes it an engaging stop for younger visitors too.

Who runs the museum? The exhibition is run by a local railway enthusiasts' club, for whom preserving the story of the Doudleby – Vamberk – Rokytnice line is a personal passion rather than a job, which gives the place its lived-in, non-commercial character.