The Kukushka Railway Museum is in Talitsy, 2.5 km from Kupanskoye. Its collection and the history of the former narrow-gauge railway give the destination’s immediate surroundings a distinct cultural and technical focus. Historic vehicles are central to the museum, as is the railway connection, whose former station is home to the museum.

The narrow-gauge railway and museum grounds in Talitsy

The collection includes more than 100 narrow-gauge railway vehicles, including steam locomotives, railcars and carriages dating from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. The former railway connected peat extraction areas with factories in Pereslavl-Zalessky. The museum thus brings together different aspects of railway history: the vehicles, their historical period and the former connection between extraction areas and factories.

The grounds include a two-kilometre protected railway line from Talitsy to a clearing in the middle of the Bludovo Marsh. A separate room recreates the interior of a station office from the mid-20th century. The workshops also preserve and operate machines and equipment from the steam locomotive era. These experiences complement the collection with a reconstructed workspace and historic workshop technology.

Handcar ride: duration and conditions

The handcar ride covers one kilometre and takes about 15 minutes. The two-kilometre protected railway line and the shorter handcar ride are separate features of the grounds and activity. Age and health restrictions apply to the ride. Before visiting, check the current visitor rules and whether the ride is currently available.

More destinations in Yaroslavl Oblast

Beyond the immediate surroundings of Kupanskoye, Yaroslavl Oblast offers a range of cultural attractions. In Pereslavl-Zalessky, the 12th-century Transfiguration Cathedral is the city’s oldest church and the earliest surviving architectural monument of the Vladimir-Suzdal school. A different experience awaits at the “Na Rostovskoi” Museum Centre, where at least 30 exhibitions by contemporary artists are held each year. The region’s attractions thus range from medieval architecture to changing exhibitions of modern art.

In Rybinsk, the museum-reserve brings together its collections and a distinctive historic building: it is housed in the New Grain Exchange, built in 1912 on the high bank of the Volga to a design by Moscow architect A. V. Ivanov. Also in Rybinsk, the N. M. Alekseyev Museum of the Mologa Region offers tours of its halls and interactive activities with competitions, prizes and refreshments. Check the current programme in advance for specific dates.

Uglich focuses on architecture and open spaces. The Uglich Kremlin is a historic architectural park complex covering 33,560 m², with architectural monuments dating from the 15th to the 19th century; the ensemble includes, among other buildings, the Princes’ Chambers and the Transfiguration Cathedral with its bell tower. Those interested in sailing in Yaroslavl Oblast will find a designated zone on the northeastern shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo. Check local operating conditions in advance.

Discover more destinations: Yaroslavl, Shopsha, Yakimovskoye, Nekrasovskoye, Kriushkino, Uleyma, Rechnaya, Rybinsk

For the overview of the wider travel area: Yaroslavl Oblast.