Park Railway Maltanka

The Park Railway Maltanka, located in Poznań, is a narrow-gauge railway line with a length of 3,850 meters, which regularly transports around 120,000 passengers annually. Its track gauge is 600 mm, and services run between Śródka Roundabout and the New Zoo. The history of Maltanka dates back to the 1950s, when the Committee for the Construction of the Culture and Recreation Park was established with the aim of creating an amusement park. The first railway was opened in 1956 with five carriages manufactured by ZISPO and a WLs40 diesel locomotive. In 1972, after the route was relocated to Malta, the railway gained a new name. Over the years, the railway underwent various management changes, and in 1998 its name was changed to the Malta Children's Railway, and in 2002 to its current name. It is worth noting that Maltanka was set on fire twice, which had a significant impact on its operations. In the 21st century, the railway underwent modernization, replacing the track and adding a stop at the Malta Thermal Baths, as well as experiencing a surge in popularity among tourists. Architecturally, the Maltanka station features a stylish half-timbered building that naturally blends into the local landscape. Interestingly, Maltanka is equipped with automatically controlled switches and light signals, as well as rolling stock, including a steam locomotive from 1925, which operates on selected weekends. Despite a decline in passenger numbers in recent years, the railway remains an important cultural landmark in Poznań, representing nostalgic returns to childhood and the tradition of narrow-gauge railways in Poland. Its significance is further emphasized by its collaboration with local volunteers who maintain it and promote the SPM Maltanka project. Contemporary challenges, such as the need for infrastructure modernization and ensuring safety, are integral to the development of this unique tourist and railway-cultural attraction.