Šiauliai Railway Museum: travel spot in Lithuania

Šiauliai Railway Museum - open-air steam locomotive display by the depot

Šiauliai Railway Museum is an approximately 13 ha open-air steam-locomotive display by the Šiauliai railway depot and a branch of the Lithuanian Railway Museum. Exhibits include narrow- and broad-gauge steam locomotives, draisines, and a deportation wagon, while the indoor exhibition explains Šiauliai as an important railway junction from 1871.

Old steam locomotive in the open-air Šiauliai Railway Museum display by the depot

Place

Šiauliai City Municipality

Region

Samogitia

Type

open steam-locomotive display of the Lithuanian Railway Museum

Address

Dubijos g. 26, Šiauliai

Coordinates

55.92670, 23.30300

Visit duration

1-1.5 hours

Best time

warm and dry months for the outdoor exhibition

Names and variants

Šiauliai exposition of the Railway Museum, Railway Museum

Šiauliai Railway Museum: Steam Locomotives Outdoors

Šiauliai Railway Museum is a branch of the Lithuanian Railway Museum where heavy railway equipment - steam locomotives, draisines, and wagons - is displayed. The roughly 13 ha open exhibition stands next to the Šiauliai railway depot, making it a place where old locomotives can be viewed at close range.

Do not confuse it with the main Railway Museum in Vilnius, which is an interactive indoor exhibition. Šiauliai focuses on the large exhibits: it is the rolling-stock wing of the same museum.

Outdoor Display: Locomotives, Draisines, Wagons

The open steam-locomotive display began forming in 2004 through the initiative of Algirdas Karužis, head of the Šiauliai railway infrastructure unit. Exhibits include the PT-4-153 narrow-gauge steam locomotive, L-0106 broad-gauge steam locomotive, track-laying equipment, draisines, and a narrow-gauge wagon.

Some locomotives were made in 1947-1948. The outdoor exhibits also include a deportation wagon, recalling the painful history of Soviet deportations. Because the display is inside an active railway-depot territory, it can be visited during museum hours or by prior arrangement, not at any time of day.

Indoor Exhibition and the History of 1871

The indoor exhibition is arranged in two halls. The first tells the story of the Šiauliai railway from 1871, when the station was built and the first train reached the city. Photographs, documents, and objects explain the history, and after renewal the exhibition conveys the atmosphere of the interwar railway.

In 1871-1873 the Liepāja-Romny railway was laid across Lithuania, and Šiauliai became one of the region's most important railway junctions. This history explains why a railway museum operates in the city.

Visiting

The museum was founded in 1971 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Šiauliai railway; its initiator was station chief Aronas Petuchovskis. Today it is part of the Lithuanian Railway Museum.

The museum operates on weekdays according to a set schedule. A visit, especially to the outdoor display, should be arranged in advance by phone. At the time of research tickets cost roughly 2-4 EUR, with a family ticket about 10 EUR; check the official page for exact prices and hours. A railway-heritage route can combine this site with the Vilnius Railway Museum or Anykščiai Siaurukas.

Šiauliai Railway Museum: frequently asked questions

Where is Šiauliai Railway Museum?

It is at Dubijos g. 26 in Šiauliai, by the railway depot south of Šiauliai station. It is a branch of the Lithuanian Railway Museum.

Is it the same as the Vilnius Railway Museum?

No. Vilnius has the main interactive museum exhibition, while Šiauliai has an open display of steam locomotives and rolling stock. Both belong to the Lithuanian Railway Museum.

What can you see outdoors?

The outdoor display includes the PT-4-153 narrow-gauge steam locomotive, L-0106 broad-gauge steam locomotive, draisines, a narrow-gauge wagon, and a deportation wagon. Some locomotives were made in 1947-1948.

Can the outdoor display be visited at any time?

No. It is inside an active railway-depot area, so visits are possible during museum hours or by prior arrangement, not freely at any time.

Why is there a railway museum in Šiauliai?

The Liepāja-Romny railway was built across Lithuania in 1871-1873, and Šiauliai became an important railway junction. The museum was founded in 1971 for the railway's 100th anniversary.

What are the opening hours and ticket prices?

The museum operates on weekdays according to a schedule. At the time of research tickets cost roughly 2-4 EUR and a family ticket about 10 EUR. Arrange the visit in advance and check current prices officially.