The historic Výtopna Nepomuk railway and model railway exhibition is located in Dvorec, at Rožmitálská 63, in the Plzeň Region. Here you can see a working TT-gauge model railway layout. Its area, model scale and track gauge raise different questions about the same layout: How much space does it occupy, how much smaller are the models, and what is the gauge of its tracks? For a stay where you enjoy looking closely, these technical details offer a specific point of entry. The other railway and industrial themes have a different focus.

The Model Railway and Its Measurements

The layout covers 24.5 m², is built to a scale of 1:120 and has a track gauge of 12 mm. These figures describe different things: the area in square metres describes the layout’s surface area, the scale expresses the ratio between model and prototype, and the track gauge is the distance between the rails. This makes it possible to distinguish between the technical details rather than read them as a single measurement of size. The area says nothing about the dimensions of individual trains; the scale does not indicate the length of the exhibition. The working TT layout therefore offers several points of interest for anyone curious about both the construction and the technology of a model railway. As the collection may continue to develop, it is worth checking which exhibits are currently on display before your visit.

Ironworks and Water

The former ironworks stood on the boundary between Dvorec and Vrčeň, beside the Myslívský potok stream. Huťský rybník pond is closely connected with their history of water supply: construction began in 1785 as a new source of water for the ironworks. The pond covers 5.7 hectares and is up to five metres deep in places. The connection between the pond and production offers a concrete way into the area’s industrial history, rather than being merely a description of the landscape.

Buildings from the former ironworks still stand on the pond’s dam in the Železná Huť area. After iron production ended in the 1880s, they were first converted into an oil mill and then into a mill in the 1920s. This sequence spans iron production and two later uses; the surviving buildings connect this history with the site by the pond. The development of the former industrial complex can thus be viewed as a change in how it was used.

Railway Structures Along the Line

There is also a remarkable historic structure on the line to Dvorec: the former railway water tower was built at the end of the 19th century and has largely retained its original appearance. Its unusual hexagonal glass blocks are particularly striking. Another structure on the line towards Dvorec and Nepomuk is the former railway depot. It retains its original, simple Neo-Renaissance appearance. The two buildings offer different points of interest: the water tower catches the eye with its distinctive glass detail, while the depot stands out for its preserved architectural design.

Nature Trails with Different Points of Reference

The Helenka nature trail leads from the weir on the Úslava River to the Včelařská naučná stezka (Beekeeping Nature Trail), which has ten stations in total. The starting point and destination help locate the Helenka trail, while the number of stations gives a concrete indication of how the Včelařská naučná stezka is laid out. If you are interested in bees, the trail’s name already gives you a thematic connection; its ten stations also provide a clear structure. The trail information therefore answers different questions: where Helenka leads and how many stations the Včelařská naučná stezka has.

There are several ways to choose a focus: the technical measurements of the model railway, the history of how the ironworks were used, and the distinctive details of historic railway buildings. The nature trails complement these topics with named waypoints and stations. You can decide which of these perspectives you would like to explore further based on your own interests.

Discover more destinations: Zemětice, Spalene Porici, Vrčeň, Nepomuk, Jarov U Blovic, Trebcice, Kotovice, Hradec U Stoda

For the main travel overview: Plzeň-Jih.