From its facilities, managed by Euskotren, regular steam train trips are organized, which have become a major tourist and cultural attraction, especially during spring and summer, as well as on long weekends and holidays. Thousands of visitors enjoy this experience that revives the golden age of steam traction in Gipuzkoa.
The journey offers an authentic regression to the past through a five-kilometer route connecting Azpeitia with the Lasao station. Passengers settle into centuries-old wooden carriages, originally built by the Gipuzkoan firm CAF in its Beasain workshops. The train runs alongside the Urola river, passing engineering landmarks like a 225-meter tunnel and an armored concrete bridge designed a century ago by the renowned engineer José Eugenio Ribera.
It is a curious historical paradox that this track, belonging to the old Urola Railway (inaugurated in 1926 by Alfonso XIII and closed in 1986), is today traversed by the museum's vintage steam engines.
The undisputed star of these excursions is the imposing steam locomotive named 'Aurrera'. This machine was built in Manchester, England, in 1898 by the prestigious firm Nasmyth & Wilson. Its distinctive silhouette, featuring a large smoke box with chimney, front lamp, characteristic golden dome, and circular cabin windows, was originally designed to serve the line connecting Elgoibar and Donostia.
For over six decades, the 'Aurrera' was a fundamental part of regional transport, remaining active until 1960. After years of inactivity, its fate changed radically in 1991 when it was permanently recovered by the Basque Railway Museum. Today, it proudly hauls the historic carriages every weekend, keeping industrial memory alive for new generations.
Beyond the dynamic travel experience, the museum's sheds and halls house one of the finest railway collections in Europe. Visitors can admire a vast catalog of vehicles, including other steam, diesel, and electric locomotives, as well as various railcars and wagons.
In addition to rolling stock, the facilities preserve the old mechanical workshop of the Urola Railway, which constitutes one of the most complete machine-tool sets in Euskadi. The exhibition offer is complemented by displays of railway uniforms used since the late 19th century and one of the most outstanding railway clock collections worldwide.
To plan a visit to Azpeitia during the 2026 season, it's essential to consider the opening calendar. From April 7 to November 1, the Museum is open Tuesdays to Fridays (10:00-13:30 and 15:00-18:30), but without steam train operations. To experience the 'Aurrera', visitors should go on Saturdays (with departures at 12:00 and 17:30) or Sundays and holidays (10:30-14:00, with a single trip at 12:00). The Museum is closed on Mondays and for winter break from December 22 to January 6.
Regarding prices, the full general admission ticket, which includes access to the exhibition halls and the evocative round trip to Lasao aboard the wooden carriages, costs 6 euros. For those who prefer to only visit the vehicle collections, workshops, and clock displays without taking the train journey, a basic visit ticket is available for 3 euros. Finally, the Museum offers a reduced group rate applicable for parties of 25 or more people, setting the ticket price at just 2 euros per person.
