Prague's most scenic train route gets a new lease on life

Calling all lovers of historic train rides and panoramic cityscapes: there’s good news from the Czech capital. The beloved Pražský motoráček (Prague Motorcar) has secured a new five-year lease, ensuring nostalgic charm and spectacular views until at least 2029.

The announcement follows concerns over the line’s future, as its initial contract was set to expire at the end of 2024. Thanks to a new agreement between the Prague City Council and operator KŽC Doprava, the line’s historic motorcars will keep chugging through some of the city’s most scenic neighborhoods.

Every weekend and on public holidays, the Pražský motoráček travels along the famous Prague Semmering route, known for its impressively engineered track that resembles Austria’s iconic alpine line.

Those with a standard Prague public transport ticket can board the vintage 1950s motor cars, affectionately named Kredenc (Cupboard) and Krokodýl (Crocodile), at Prague’s main station (Hlavní Nádraží). The journey includes a stop in Smíchov and continues via the ‘Semmering’ viaduct with stops at Žvahov, Jinonice, Cibulka, and Stodůlky before arriving at the Prague-Zličín station.

The journey aboard the historic M 262.0 series railcar offers a glimpse into the ingenuity of post-war Czechoslovak engineering. Once a symbol of modernization for the Czechoslovak State Railways, these railcars were originally used on express routes and boasted a maximum speed of 90 km/h.

Today, passengers can enjoy the ride in two spacious compartments with 56 seats and large sliding windows, providing uninterrupted views of the rugged terrain and surrounding scenery which includes sweeping views of Vyšehrad, the natural splendor of the Prokop Valley, and the rock formations of Dívčí Hrady.

Rail enthusiasts should take advantage of the experience while they still can, as the city’s management will soon need to decide whether to continue the new contract. According to the Czech daily PrahaIN, continuing operations after 2029 will require the costly installation of the European ETCS safety system on historic vehicles. Without this system, these vehicles may not be able to operate on the current line in just five years.