Skansen Lokomotyw

Skansen Lokomotyw is a railway museum in the Karsznice district, located on the grounds of the former Karsznice Locomotive Works, one of the most important railway hubs in post-war Poland on the route connecting Silesia with ports on the Baltic Sea. Since March 2015 it has operated as a branch of the City History Museum in Zduńska Wola and displays around a dozen historic locomotives.

How the open-air museum was established

The idea for the open-air museum originated in 1989 at the Wagon Factory in Karsznice. The official opening took place on 11 November 1993, marking the 60th anniversary of the Karsznice Locomotive Works opening and the 150th anniversary of railways in Polish lands. The first exhibit was the steam locomotive Ty23-273, which was later joined by further engines, including industrial and diesel locomotives. From 2010 the facility was cared for by the City History Museum Zduńska Wola, and in March 2015 the open-air museum received the status of its official branch.

Locomotive collection

The exhibition comprises around 14 steam and diesel locomotives of various types. The most valuable exhibit is the Ty246-22, a locomotive manufactured in the United States in 1947, known by the names Truman and Amerykanka. It is the only surviving example of this series in Poland.

Memory Room and technical exhibition

Alongside the railway rolling stock, the open-air museum operates a Memory Room with archival materials documenting the history of railway works in Karsznice. The exhibition is supplemented by an additional collection of technical equipment associated with the work of the former locomotive works.

Karsznice as a railway hub

The location of the open-air museum is no coincidence. Karsznice was one of the most important railway hubs in the country, serving freight traffic on the route from Silesia to ports on the Baltic Sea. The exhibition is meant to recall this role and the work of railway workers who for decades operated the local locomotive works.

Practical information

• Address: Kolejowa 6, Karsznice, Zduńska Wola.
• Access: parking at the facility, access to the railway siding on the grounds of the former locomotive depot.
• Open Tuesday to Friday and Sunday, 11:00-15:00, closed Mondays and Saturdays. Opening hours are worth checking on the museum website before your visit.
• To see: around a dozen historic locomotives, including the unique Ty246-22 at the national level, and the Memory Room with railway archives.
• In the centre of Zduńska Wola your visit can be combined with a walk through Stefan Złotnicki Park.
• The city's sports facilities are also available through the Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre.