In the 1970’s electric locomotives replaced steam locomotives on the Zakopane route which led to the process of electrification for the rest of the railway lines in this region. The withdrawn rolling stock was accumulated mainly in the yards in Chabowka near Rabka. It was a plant set up at the end of the 19th century which at its peak housed and maintained 80 steam locomotives.

In this way the nucleus of the Rolling Stock Open Air Museum was formed and was officially opened in 1993. At a later date the historic rolling stock from Sucha Beskidzka, collected since 1986, was also transferred here. The constantly growing exhibits of rolling stock and railway equipment include steam, diesel and electric locomotives as well as wagons and specific rolling stock such as cranes, snow ploughs, etc.

Overall there are 135 different examples here of historic rolling stock and equipment for working on the lines. The heritage park in Chabowka is the largest exponent of this type in Poland. Some of the exhibits are kept in full working order. Among the large number of noteworthy exhibits are eight active steam locomotives operating an old fashioned tourist service on the sections between Chabowka to Nowy Sacz and between Chabowka and Zakopane.

Rolling Stock Open Air Museum – Chabowka (woj. Malopolskie)

www.parowozy.pl