Nestled within the rugged beauty of the Hrazdan Gorge in Armenia’s capital lies a little-known piece of Soviet heritage: the Yerevan Children’s Railway (Armenian: Երևանի մանկական երկաթուղի). Once an educational and recreational railway built for children in the late 1930s, it stands today as a poignant reminder of a bygone era—and a fascinating story of ambition, engineering and nostalgia. This article takes a deep dive into its history, architecture, decline and why it still matters for Yerevan.
A Vision from the USSR
The idea of creating a children’s railway in Yerevan emerged in 1935, when Armenian SSR leadership proposed a dedicated miniature railway line to combine recreation and training for young railway-enthusiasts. Wikipedia+2Armenia Discovery+2 Construction officially began in 1936 when the foundation stone was laid for the main station, and despite tight deadlines and technical challenges, the railway opened on 9 June 1937 (some sources cite 6 July 1937) as a 2.1 km narrow-gauge loop in the heart of Yerevan. Wikipedia+2Armenia Discovery+2
Daring Design Meets Youthful Ambition
The Yerevan Children’s Railway was designed with both purpose and charm. Architect Mikael Mazmanyan drew up the original station building in wood in 1937, later replaced in the late 1940s by a stone structure designed by architects Goar Grigoryan and Babken Hakobyan. Wikipedia+1 The line consisted of two terminal stations—“Hayrenik” (Motherland) and “Pionerakan” (Pioneer)—plus an intermediate platform named “Uraxutyun” (Joy) and a 45-metre long tunnel through the gorge. The gauge was 750 mm, matching many Soviet children’s railways across the USSR. Armenia Discovery+1
From Steam to Diesel — The Rolling Stock
When it opened, the railway ran on a small steam locomotive donated by the Voroshilovgrad Locomotive Plant (locomotive no. 159-434) along with three open-carriage coaches. Armenian Explorer+1 In March 1959 the railway received two all-metal PAFAWAG passenger cars, and in 1971 a TU2-116 diesel locomotive arrived—marking its transition into mid-20th-century railway technology. Wikipedia+1
A Place for Education, After School, and Recreation
In its heyday, the Children’s Railway wasn’t just a ride—it was an experiential space. Children wearing pioneer scarves learned signal operation, ticketing, even a bit of dispatching. Field trips, summer programs and weekend rides made it part of the fabric of childhood in Yerevan. The park around the line featured fountains, reading rooms, playgrounds and kiosks—all within the gorge setting. Armenia Discovery+1
Changing Times — Post-Soviet Reality
With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the educational role of the railway faded. It continued operating as a leisure attraction, but with diminishing purpose and funding. In 2012 a major rehabilitation effort by South Caucasus Railway (SCR) aimed to restore the line, refurbish the track and rolling stock, and revive weekend service for children. Arka+1
Yet by 2024 the railway had effectively ceased operations: locomotives inactive, stations closed and major restoration plans stalled. Wikipedia+1
Why the Yerevan Children’s Railway Matters
The Yerevan Children’s Railway is more than just an abandoned attraction. It represents a layered history:
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The ambition of the Soviet era to educate youth through transport infrastructure.
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The adaptation of a playground-style railway loop into the modern era.
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A tangible, quiet slice of Yerevan’s cultural and industrial heritage nestled in a natural gorge.
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A potential urban regeneration opportunity—should restoration ever move forward.
What You’ll See Today
If you walk the trail along the gorge, you’ll find the former station buildings, rusted carriages, the stone tunnel and the overgrown trackbed. Reviewers describe it as “a walk through time” where Yerevan’s bustle falls away and you’re left in a quiet, semi-forgotten space. Tripadvisor+1 While it no longer functions in its original form, the ambiance remains evocative—a blend of Soviet youth, trains and nature.
Tips for the Modern Explorer
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Visit during daylight and bring a torch if exploring the tunnel.
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Respect the site—portions may be unsafe due to disrepair.
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Capture the contrast: the bright stone station facade, the narrow gauge track, the canyon greenery.
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Use the opportunity as a backdrop for your video project—its story is unique in Yerevan and perfect for deep-dive audiences.
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When publishing online (YouTube, blog) use keywords like “Yerevan Children’s Railway”, “Children’s Railway Yerevan history”, “Yerevan Soviet railway 1937” to improve visibility.
From its audacious opening in 1937 to its quiet closure in 2024, the Yerevan Children’s Railway has traveled a full circle—from educational innovation to urban relic. Yet its tracks still lead through memory, nature and history. Whether you’re filming a documentary, writing a feature, or simply exploring Yerevan’s hidden corners, this little railway offers a compelling narrative: of children, trains, time and place.