photo: Archives/Railway
The Czechoslovak legionary community created a unique replica of the legionary train from the period of the years 1918-1920. At that time, the legionaries were active on the Trans-Siberian Highway, where they performed war acts. Thanks to their bravery, an independent Czechoslovak state could be established. This train cruises the Czech Republic and tries to bring people closer to the famous legionary history.
In the years 2011-2015, the Czechoslovak legionary community purchased 13 discarded historic wagons. Czech Railways has long lent them only a platform car. The blacksmith's car was reconstructed and made available by the Milan Rastislav Štefánik Foundation and the Zvolen Historical Technology Club. This was a Czechoslovak project.
The train consists of field post wagons, "heaters", a regimental shop, accommodation and film wagon, a tailor's, medical, staff, command and armored wagons. Two wagons are platform cars. The armored wagon has machine guns and a replica of a Russian field cannon caliber 76 mm.
Between 2014 and 2019 alone, about 600,000 people visited the legionary train. As soon as government measures related to the Covid-19 epidemic have passed, the train should be reopened to visitors.
At the time of its original use back in 20ties of 19 century, the train has worked actually as mobile barracks. It was part of the everyday life of soldiers. The soldiers usually slept in the so-called heaters, where about 30 soldiers slept. However, the officers and generals also had a luxury saloon at their disposal.
The train sets that ran from 1918 to 1920 were first randomly assembled and had a single task. Depart from the station in Bachmač (Bakhmach) as soon as possible. Subsequently, however, the wagons were organized. Each of them had its own function and significance in the lives of soldiers.
The reconstruction project was sponsored by Czech Railways, ČD Cargo, SŽDC (Czech railway tracks administration) and a number of other sponsors.