Black Katie – the Oldest Steam Locomotive in Croatia

It is the oldest preserved steam locomotive in Croatia. Built in 1891 in Budapest, it originally carried the designation MÁV 326.363 and was one of only two steam locomotives manufactured to the railway standards of that era.

This freight locomotive could reach speeds of up to 45 km/h (28 miles per hour), which made it one of the faster freight engines of its time. Of the 497 locomotives of this series ever produced, Black Katie—now listed under Croatian Railways number 125-052—is the only one to have survived. For this reason, it holds the status of a protected cultural asset and is considered an important piece of Croatia’s technical heritage.

Throughout its long career (from its first journey in 1891 until retirement in 1970), it most frequently ran the route Budapest – Koprivnica – Dugo Selo – Zagreb – Karlovac – Rijeka.

It Replaced Tito’s Famous Blue Locomotive

One of the more intriguing aspects of its presence at Zagreb’s Main Station is the fact that, until 1992, this display spot was occupied by Blue Locomotive—the engine that hauled the Tito’s Blue Train, used exclusively by Josip Broz Tito. Its timetables were a closely guarded secret and were burned immediately after use. Out of all locomotives operating in former Yugoslavia, only Tito’s was permitted to be painted blue.

A Mystery From the WWII Period

The greatest historical controversy surrounding Black Katie – the Oldest Steam Locomotive in Croatia concerns the period of the Independent State of Croatia (NDH). The World War II was long considered its “dark chapter.” For decades, it was believed that the locomotive had transported the first prisoners of the NDH to Danica, the first Ustasha concentration camp near Koprivnica.

This belief seemed plausible because, until being moved to Zagreb in 1992, Black Katie – the Oldest Steam Locomotive in Croatia had been displayed at the Danica memorial site.

However, the historical ambiguity was finally resolved in 2019, following a request from the Koprivnica City Museum. After a detailed review of archival documentation, the Ministry of Culture established that during the operational period of the Danica concentration camp, Black Katie was actually undergoing repairs in Vinkovci.

Thus, the beloved symbol of Zagreb’s railway station has been cleared of the myth that it played any role in transporting camp prisoners.