Gulbene depot, Saloon car No. 572699-698047
Infrastructure

Gulbene Locomotive and Wagon Depot, which was one of the largest and most important on Latvian railways in the 1930s - 1980s, but is currently home to the Gulbene - Alūksne narrow-gauge railway, which is popular with tourists.

Next to the Depot on the tracks is the Saloon Car No. 572699-698047 built in 1964 and specially equipped for the needs of the 1st Secretary of the Estonian Communist Party Karl Vaino, providing the party leader (1978-1988) and his entourage with comfortable trips to Moscow, as well as other cities of the USSR. The saloon car outwardly differs little from an ordinary passenger car, however, its equipment and spacious interior with a conference room indicate the special importance of the car. Special cars of this type on the basis of passenger cars K-47 were built in a small number in the German Democratic Republic at the order of the ruling elite of the USSR at the Wagonbau Ammendorf factory. After installing additional equipment at the Moscow special factory, the saloon cars were put at the disposal of the First Secretaries of the Communist Parties of the USSR republics and the Chairmen of the Councils of Ministers.

Depot guests are offered accommodation in authentic Soviet-era locomotive crew rest rooms, located on the second floor of the depot administration building, as well as other less traditional overnight accommodations - in the saloon car of the leaders of the Estonian Communist Party.

You can take a tour of the depot and watch a spinning top demonstration, or take a ride on a hand-operated trolley.