Legiovlak Embarks on an Exciting Journey Through Moravia Before Heading to the Hradec Králové Region

The Legiovlak began its journey in 2015. It is a faithful model of a train from the years 1918-1920 when the Czechoslovak Legions were involved in military operations on the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia. This replica was created by the Czechoslovak Legionary Community. You can enter the Legion train for free.

Visitors can tour 14 refurbished carriages. Included are a field mail wagon, a battering ram, a sales wagon, accommodations, an ambulance wagon, wagons for blacksmiths and tailors, an armed armored wagon, a staff wagon for strategic planning, and platform wagons loaded with supplies. Inside, there are informational panels and exhibits that highlight the life and struggles of the Czechoslovak Legions.

These trains transported tens of thousands of Czechoslovak Legionnaires throughout Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway during the years 1918 to 1920, often facing resistance from Bolshevik forces.

This year, the Legi train will stop in numerous towns across Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. School groups are also welcome to visit. The Legi train is available for viewing from 8 am to 6 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to 7 pm on weekends. Starting in October, the times will change to 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 4 pm on weekends. Guided tours are free and take place on weekdays starting at 2 pm, and every hour from 10 am on weekends.

Where to see Legiovlak this year?

Until September 14, the Legiovlak will be located at Brno-Slatina station, which is the 23rd stop of this “traveling museum” for the year. Following that, it will be at Bučovice station from September 16 to 21. The train will then make a stop in Vyškov from September 23 to 28. From September 30 to October 5 it will be in Uničov, and from October 7 to 12 it will head to Zábřeh.

In mid-October, the train will move to the Hradec Králové region, stopping in Vysoké Mýto from October 14 to 19, then Chrudim from October 21 to 26, followed by Přelouč from October 28 to November 2. From November 4 onwards, the Legiovlak will appear for the last time this year in the Central Bohemia Region, specifically in Kouřim until November 9.

The season will end with stops in Třemošnice from November 11 to 16, and in Smiřice from November 18 to 23, followed by Borohrádek from November 25 to 30.

What might interest you?

• • The Czechoslovak Legions used similar trains as mobile barracks on the Trans-Siberian Railway, including 531 passenger cars and 10,287 freight cars across 259 trains.

• • Part of the Legiovlak exhibition includes a database where you can find out if any of your ancestors served in the legions.

• • What activities did the legionnaires enjoy during their downtime? They put on puppet shows: the Museum of Puppetry Cultures from Chrudim lent them ten original marionettes. The Kopečtí brothers, descendants of Czech puppetry legend Matěj Kopecký, entertained their fellow soldiers on the Italian front using these puppets.

• • The Czechoslovak Legions Museum located in Prague has been open since 2018.

• • A Museum of the Heydrichiad and a Museum of Domestic and Foreign Resistance are planned to be built in the Pardubice Chateau, known as the Larisch Villa.