Narrow gauge in Latvia

Travelers to Latvia’s northern Vidzeme Province can ride the only functioning narrow-gauge diesel-engine train in the Baltics. The line was originally built in 1903 and covered 212 kilometers, but only 33 kilometers of the original track remain, connecting the towns of Gulbene and Aluksne.

Three restored diesel-engine locomotives, built in the 1920s, 1960s and 1980s, as well as several restored passenger carriages are used on the one-hour-and-25-minute route. There are two departures per day from both Gulbene (1 and 6 p.m.) and Aluksne (3:25 and 7:55 p.m.). The basic fare is 2.40 lats ($5) each way. Contact Gulbene-Aluksne Banitis, Ltd. (Gulbene, Latvia; phone/fax +371 64473037).