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Renovated railway history museum in Minsk: What visitors can see
MINSK, 19 May (BelTA) – The renovated Belarusian Railways History Museum in Minsk showcased its exhibits, from miniature trains to historic machinery, to participants of a seminar organized by the National Tourism Agency titled as Presentation of Tourist Sites in Minsk and Minsk District, BelTA has learned.
The exhibition is spread across six halls, offering visitors a short journey into the past of the country’s railways. In addition to train models, it features illustrated information about the creators of the first steam locomotives and the development of railways. Visitors can also view copies of archival photographs, posters, an album of final construction drawings for the Polesie Railways, and other significant documents.
Visitors can see what a wooden track with a wooden minecart looked like, as well as a universal steam engine, carriage interiors, and Belarus’ first railway stations.
The display features rail samples, specialized equipment, devices and mechanisms once used on the railways, along with uniforms and vintage suitcases.
Other halls are dedicated to the periods of military and political conflicts, the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), post-war recovery in the Soviet era, and modern times.
The collections of signal lanterns, vintage telephones, and traditional tea glass holders are particularly impressive.
“The display case featuring tea glass holders is one of the visitors’ favorites. One shelf has been left empty for future exhibits, and any guest can contribute to filling it if they wish,” Vladislav Tsvirko, a tour guide and curator of the museum’s collections, said.
The seminar participants highly appreciated the museum’s technical capabilities. The exhibition is packed with interactive elements, featuring multimedia screens where figures come to life as guests approach. Photo zones are also available, and visitors can listen to concert recordings from the Pavlovsk railway station, type out messages in Morse code, and hear the sounds of steam locomotive whistles.
Other exhibits include ticket punches, arithmometers, printed publications, and cash registers. The museum also features a reconstructed late 19th to early 20th-century living room of a railway worker, alongside the immersive atmosphere of a hospital train car.
The renovated museum opened in October 2025 and is located near the central railway station. It operates on weekdays by appointment only. Visitors can choose between a guided tour or an independent exploration with an audio guide, which is available in English among other languages. Masterclasses are also currently in development.
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