7 Surprising Facts About Railway Day: The Must-See Autumn Event for Train Enthusiasts

1. The Birth of Passenger Rail Service

Why did the event organizers pick Railway Day for 27 September or that weekend? The oldest railway in the Czech lands was a horse-drawn railway that began operations in 1832, linking České Budějovice with Linz. However, the title for the first successful passenger railway goes to the 40-kilometre-long route between the British towns of Stockton-on-Tees and Darlington. This line was constructed by George Stephenson (1781-1848), who was a British inventor and pioneer in railways. On 27 September 1825, he tested his new steam locomotive, named Active, pulling both passenger and freight cars. This train carried approximately 450 passengers and completed the round trip from Stockton to Darlington in three hours and seven minutes, reaching speeds of up to 20 miles per hour at times. Thousands of eager spectators gathered that day, expecting to see a dramatic explosion from the locomotive, but instead they witnessed the exciting beginning of passenger rail travel.

2. National Rail Day

The first-ever Railway Day took place in 2000. What kind of celebrations are held? The main event known as National Rail Day traditionally occurs on the weekend surrounding 27 September. However, the event takes place at different stations each year.

National Rail Day 2025 is scheduled for 20 September in Nymburk at the sites of DPOV and ČD Cargo. Visitors can enjoy a parade showcasing historic and modern trains, ride on vintage trains, participate in entertaining activities, and catch an evening event called the Night Train Show.

Initially, National Railway Day 2024 was set for 21 and 22 September 2024 in Česká Třebová, but was canceled due to severe flooding in the Czech Republic. In 2023, the event was celebrated in the Bohumín depot area, while in 2022 it took place in Pilsen, and in 2021 at the Museum of Czech Railways in Lužná. The event was also canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus, and in 2019 it returned to Lužná, after being held in towns like České Budějovice, Bohumín, Hradec Králové, Děčín, and many others.

3. National Railway Day Activities

During Railway Day, Czech Railways traditionally splits the event into three themed areas: change, entertainment, and history. The history area features an exhibition showcasing the finest historical steam, diesel, and electric locomotives, steam rides, special train excursions, and guided tours. In contrast, The change area highlights the latest and most modern vehicles in the Czech Railways fleet. The entertainment area, featuring the Czech Railways mascot, an elephant called Elfie, provides a fun program, particularly aimed at children. Throughout the day, there are competitions with railway-related prizes, and the evening usually wraps up with a nighttime light show featuring historical displays and music.

4. Regional Railway Days

According to the Prosperity Index analysis, the Czech Republic boasts the most densely populated rail network in the European Union, but you may need to travel quite a bit to reach the National Rail Day events.

If that’s the case, it’s beneficial to look at the calendar for events or find one of the Regional Rail Days happening in various locations. Regular locations for these celebrations include the Railway Station in Prague, Ostrava, Jindřichův Hradec, Česká Třebová, Pardubice, Mariánské Lázně, Carlsbad, Kolín, or the locomotive depot in Brno-Maloměřice. The activities offered often include excursions to transport offices, locks, other ČD facilities, tours of model railroads, and rides on historic trains and trainsets.

5. Nicknames of Locomotives

Locomotives actually have some quite interesting nicknames. Examples include 423.041 Big Bull, 433.001 Skaličák, 464.202 Rosnička, 477.013 Parrot, and 475.111 Noblewoman, all of which have been featured in the World of History program during National Railroad Day. Other locomotives are displayed at the Railway Depository of the National Technical Museum in Chomutov.

In the coming years, the National Technical Museum plans to establish the Museum of Railways and Electrical Engineering in the former depot at Masaryk Station in Prague. One of the highlights will traditionally be the steam locomotive 464.102 Ušatá, which was not mass-produced, meaning only two prototypes exist in the world. By 2024, this completely restored locomotive will be back in service running historic trains again.

6. Recent Railway Innovations: Convenient Long-Distance Travel

Alongside the panoramic carriages offered by Czech Railways, another recent development is long-distance night connections throughout Europe. For instance, passengers can enjoy a restful journey from Brussels to both Prague and Graz or from Hamburg to Stockholm.

Starting in 2025, a new international route, the Baltic Express, will connect Prague through Pardubice and Wroclaw in Poland to Gdynia, running four times a day with connections to northern Poland. There will also be direct overnight routes to Zurich, Warsaw, Košice, and Budapest.

However, a significant challenge is the shortage of sleeper cars available on the market. This issue arises because there has been little investment in rolling stock in Europe for many years, as air travel has taken priority. In response to the rising cost of aviation fuel, testing is now underway for NightJet trainsets in the Czech Republic. These trains will include sleeper cars (two-seat compartments) and couchettes (four-seat compartments), along with mini cabins for solo travelers, crafted to enhance privacy during journeys.

7. Tips for Train Enthusiasts

Train enthusiasts will find a wealth of railway trivia available on Where to go from boredom. Along with our usual suggestions for train aficionados, we have compiled a list of railway records and fascinating facts in the Czech Republic, an account of the first train crash, a showcase of 22 films and books featuring trains, and a guide to twenty-one of the most beautiful railway stations. But right now, it’s all about celebration, so take a look at the invitation to the traditional Railway Day and discover more about this exciting event.