Železniční muzeum Výtopna Jaroměř

Železniční muzeum Výtopna Jaroměř (Railway Museum Výtopna Jaroměř) ranks among the largest railway museums in the Czech Republic, housed in a historic steam locomotive depot in the town of Jaroměř, in the Náchod district. The depot building, known locally as a "výtopna," was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries to serve the Pardubice–Liberec railway line and remained in regular steam operation until 1981, when steam traction was finally replaced by diesel and electric locomotives. Today the former railway facility has found new life as a museum run almost entirely by volunteers — it is the largest non-profit, association-run railway museum in the country.

What can you see at the museum?

The exhibition in Jaroměř is a genuine treat for railway enthusiasts. Among the exhibits are steam locomotives, a unique rack locomotive, electric and diesel locomotives, as well as freight and passenger carriages and handcars. The highlight of the collection is the oldest operational steam locomotive in the museum's holdings, dating back to 1879 — an impressive sight even for visitors with only a casual interest in railway technology. Guests can walk among the rolling stock displayed on the original depot tracks, examine the mechanical details of the machines up close, and get a hands-on sense of Czech railway history rather than viewing it through glass.

How do you get there?

The museum is located in Jaroměř, a town in the Hradec Králové Region well connected by both rail and road to Hradec Králové and Náchod. The most convenient way to arrive is by train directly to Jaroměř, followed by a short walk or local transport to the former depot — given the site's location on the historic Pardubice–Liberec line, arriving by rail feels like a natural extension of the visit itself. Visitors travelling by car will find parking available near the site.

When should you visit?

The museum operates seasonally, from April to October. During the summer holiday months it is open daily, while outside that period it welcomes visitors on weekends and public holidays. It's worth planning ahead, especially if you want to catch one of the museum's special events, such as historic train rides featuring steam or diesel locomotives.

Beyond the exhibition — rides on historic rolling stock

Besides its static exhibition, the museum is well known for organizing rides on vintage trains. Services most often run along the historic Pardubice–Liberec line toward Hradec Králové or Turnov, as well as along the Josefov–Malé Svatoňovice line to České Skalice, Malé Svatoňovice, or Náchod. It's a rare chance to experience the atmosphere of rail travel from decades past — the sound of a steam engine, the smell of coal, and views of the Hradec Králové Region countryside from the window of a historic carriage.

Frequently asked questions

What is Výtopna Jaroměř? It is a former steam locomotive depot on the Pardubice–Liberec railway line, converted into a railway museum that houses steam locomotives, electric and diesel engines, and historic carriages.

What is the oldest exhibit at the museum? The oldest operational steam locomotive in the collection dates from 1879 and is one of the museum's main attractions.

When is the museum open? The season runs from April to October — daily during the summer holidays, and on weekends and public holidays outside that period.

Can you ride a historic train here? Yes, the museum organizes rides on vintage rolling stock along routes to Hradec Králové, Turnov, and the Josefov–Malé Svatoňovice line.