Little Engine Shed
1895
One of the few preserved half-timbered engine sheds
of the Austro-Hungarian Railways
We are writing a new chapter in the story that began in 1895. The boiler house was built according to the standards
kk Staatsbahnen as a technical facility for a new local railway. The half-timbered structure with a water tower is a beautiful example of the functional architecture of the time. May 1945 transformed the Netolice railway station into a historical hub. The demarcation line passed right here, where the Allied armies stopped and the war ended. Our heating plant, built according to strict Austro-Hungarian railway standards, is not just a pile of bricks and beams - it is a silent witness to history. Today, after years in the air raid jungle, we are returning this unique half-timbered building its dignity. We are saving a technical monument that was supposed to disappear from the map.
Our vision?
My initial thought was simple and raw: "For God's sake, I can't let it fall down." I bought the engine shed at the eleventh hour to stop its devastation and prevent it from being wiped off the map. As a result, we are rescuing the building before we even know exactly what we can afford to do with it. We are figuring that out as we go. I am often asked about our ultimate goal—a museum, an open-air park, or a permanent exhibition. The truth is, at this moment, we are first and foremost a rescue mission.
The path to us (doesn't) exist. Although we would love to invite you here at any time, we are bound by strict railway legislation. Officially, there is no access road to the engine shed—only tracks. Current railway regulations prevent us from creating a space that is permanently open to the public.
How to visit us? Our vision is to open the shed's doors during nostalgic train rides and special events held on the Dívčice–Netolice line. These are the moments when history returns to the tracks and when we can safely show you the fruits of our labor.
Once we have completed the most critical phase—repairing the emergency state of the building's gable—we will move on to the tower roof, the doors, and the glazing. That will be the right time to think about the next steps and how to better present this icon of South Bohemian local railways to the public.
Thank you for understanding that our path to the finish line leads through meters of overgrown brush, tons of debris, and complex official negotiations. We are rescuing a building, reviving history, and even though it takes time, we do it with respect for the craft.
About us
GALLERY
Take a look at the image galleries here. Historical images and current events in the Engine Shed.
The Shed Crew
Here you will learn something about the people who help us personally.
How to help?
Become Part of the Mission
Saving the Netolice engine shed isn't about official spreadsheets or big corporations. It’s about reality, dirty hands, and common sense. I didn't buy this building as an investment or for speculation. I bought it at the eleventh hour, fueled by pure passion and my own life savings, just to keep it from being leveled to the ground. Since that moment, every step forward has been the result of efficient, hard-headed decision-making.
We don't buy overpriced materials from catalogs, and we don't hire firms that charge thousands for stamps and hundreds for every hour of work. Instead, we hunt for used machinery in classifieds, salvage old timber, and whenever possible, trade favors for expert craftsmanship.
When we manage to save money by clearing brush ourselves or finding a second-hand mower, we can immediately reinvest those funds where they are needed most—into the walls that cannot be allowed to crack any further. Our restoration fund works the old-fashioned way: hand to hand, person to person. Because of this, every cent here carries far more weight than it ever would in the hands of any government office.
We do not offer tax-deductible receipts or transparent bank accounts cluttered with confusing entries. Instead, we offer results—visible progress that you can see with your own eyes every time you pass by the station. If you believe in this honest and practical approach to saving history, please support us. You can be certain that your contribution will be used far more efficiently than if we were forced to buy only brand-new materials from corporate suppliers; every cent goes directly into the foundations of this 1895 legend.
In time, we will launch a small e-shop on our website where you can purchase souvenirs to support our mission. Until then, the only way to contribute is by sending a donation of any amount to: https://revolut.me/jerryvein
