The abandoned Children's Railway in Yerevan

Explore the historic Yerevan Children's Railway nestled in the picturesque Hrazdan gorge. Established in 1937, this 2.1 km railway features iconic stations like "Motherland" and "Pioneer." Discover its rich history, from its inception to present-day plans for renovation and revitalization. Experience a piece of Armenia's railway heritage.

Yerevan Children's Railway, located in the Kentron community of Yerevan, stretches 2.1 km along the Hrazdan gorge. Stations include "Motherland," "Pioneer," and "Happiness."

Through the thick trees I can see the marvelous railway station building

In 1935, the idea of creating a children's railway in Yerevan was proposed by the Minister of Railway Transport of Armenia, Babken Amatuni, and the first secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Agassi Khanjian. In 1935, the USSR state plan included the construction of the Yerevan children's railway in the 1936 annual plan. On April 22, 1936, in the city park named after Abovyan, Aghasi Khanjyan and Babken Amatuni laid the foundation stone for the "Lighthouse" station, later renamed "Motherland" station.

These stained glass windows are perfect for photography

Scheduled to open on November 7, 1937, the day of the October Revolution victory, the children's railway officially opened earlier on July 6, 1937, thanks to the efforts of Babken Amatun, the Minister of Railway Transport of Armenia.

The chief architect of the children's railway park was Mikael Mazmanyan. The former wooden railway station building was replaced in the late 1940s by a stone building designed by architect Babken S. Hakobyan, with the last tower designed by architect Gohar Grigoryan.

Another look at the railway station building

In 1937, locomotive 159-434 and three passenger cars donated by the Podolsk locomotive factory were put into operation. The steam locomotive from 1937, no longer operational, is considered Armenia's oldest. It is located at the "Motherland" station.

In 1959, the railway received two PAFAWAG metal passenger cars, and in 1971, the TU2-116 locomotive. Until the end of its working days, the Children's Railway operated with a TU2-096 locomotive and two passenger cars produced by the Kaluga machine-building plant in 1957.

The tunnel from the "Happiness" to the "Pioneer" station was built in 1956, spanning 45 m in length.

I loved these stained glass windows

Previously, the station building housed private rooms for the station master and guard, a telegraph office, a health room, and a cash register. The playground featured pools of water, fountains, a reading room, a dance and sports field, a game room, kiosks, and a buffet. A statue of Stalin once stood on the hill leading from the playground to the station.

Currently, the Children's Railway territory is privatized.

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