A double-view Soviet postcard from 1984, showcasing landmark locations of Soviet Kirovohrad (now Kropyvnytskyi): the “Kyiv” Hotel and the park children’s railway.
What is shown on the postcard
The left panel depicts the multi-story modernist building of the “Kyiv” Hotel with its rooftop sign, adjacent square, and pedestrians. The right panel shows a children’s railway train—a narrow-gauge TU2 diesel locomotive decorated with a red star on the front, pulling open passenger cars filled with children against a backdrop of park trees.
Historical note
The “Kyiv” Hotel was built during the Soviet era in the late modernist style and served as one of the city’s primary hotels. The Kirovohrad Children’s Railway opened in 1954 in Lenin Park (now Kovalyovsky Park). The line spanned approximately 1.2 km, utilizing a TU2 locomotive and Pafawag passenger cars.
Present day
Today, the hotel building has been reconstructed and houses commercial offices and accommodation. The children’s railway is defunct; its infrastructure and tracks were completely dismantled in the early 2000s.
Location (map)
Address: 50 Velyka Perspektyvna St, Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine
Coordinates: 48.509700, 32.261100
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the Kyiv Hotel at 50 Velyka Perspektyvna Street.
Questions and answers
- Where was the children’s railway located? The children’s railway was located in Lenin Park, which is known today as Kovalyovsky Park.
- What locomotive is depicted on the postcard? The right image features a narrow-gauge TU2 diesel locomotive with a red star on the front.
- What is the current state of these locations? The hotel building has been modernized for offices and lodging, while the children’s railway has been completely dismantled.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Kropyvnytskyi from 1984.
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