The State Passenger Transport Agency (GAPC) informed the portal bb.lv that the Public Transport Council allocated funding for the operation of the historic Gulbene–Aluksne train in 2026 at the previous level.
The historic Gulbene–Aluksne train is the only narrow-gauge railway in the Baltic States that continues to operate regular passenger services. The train runs twice a day in each direction, and on certain Saturdays, services are operated with a steam locomotive.
GAPC notes that starting from the end of October, the schedules of 'normal' trains on the Riga–Gulbene route are now coordinated with the narrow-gauge train services not only on Saturdays but also on Sundays.
These changes open up new opportunities for tourists, allowing for the planning of one-day or multi-day trips to the Gulbene and Aluksne regions.
For reference: The section of the railway with a gauge of 750 mm from Gulbene to Aluksne, with a total length of 33 kilometers, remains from the once-operating narrow-gauge line Stukmani–Valka, which was launched in 1903. It is currently a monument of cultural significance at the state level.
