Poland October 2010

These photographs were taken during four days in Poland during October 2010. Two days at Wolsztyn and day at Gniezno on the narrow gauge (see below).

Wolsztyn

The main line from Poznan to Wolsztyn still has regular steam hauled revenue passenger trains throughout the year. Wolsztyn is home to The Wolsztyn Experience" and I spent two days driving and firing a Pacific locomotive the 50 miles back and forth along this line. There are two return steam hauled trains each day. If you have never driven a locomotive like this go before it is too late! It's really great fun (and very hard work).

There are also numerous stored and dumped locos at Wolsztyn and some at the repair shops at Lesno.

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List of locomotives currently working, awaiting repairs or out of service at Wolsztyn and Lesno in October 2010.

(Locomotives highlighted in red were not seen during my visit)

 

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Pm36-2 Beautiful Helena approaching Poznan
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Pm36-2 Beautiful Helena at Poznan main station
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Pm36-2 Beautiful Helena at Poznan
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Map of yard at Wolsztyn
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Ty1-76 at Wolsztyn
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TKt148-143 at Wolsztyn
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Pm36-2 Beautiful Helena coaling at Wolsztyn. Ty1-76 stored to the right.
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stored at Wolsztyn
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Pt47-106 stored at Wolsztyn
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Ty1-76 stored at Wolsztyn
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Fireless locomotive stored at Wolsztyn
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Ol49-60 inside the repair shop at Lesno
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Ty2-3 inside the repair shop at Lesno
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Ty3-2, Ol49-69 and Ol49-23 stored at Lesno
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Me at the contols of The Beautiful Helena!
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Pm36-2 The Beautiful Helena on the turntable at Wolsztyn
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The roundhouse at Wolsztyn.
left to right: Ok1-322, Tr5-65, Ok22-31, Ol49-7, Ok1-359 and Pt47-65
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Ol49-7 in the roundhouse at Wolsztyn.

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Ol49-81 (left) and Ol49-85 stored at Wolsztyn
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Ty43-92 stored at Wolsztyn.
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Pt47-112 stored at Wolsztyn.
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T43-92 stored at Wolsztyn
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TLC for The Beautiful Helena after a run from Poznan
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View from the coaling gantry across the yard at Woksztyn
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Rows of derelict engines between the yard and the station at Wolsztyn

 

Gniezno narrow gauge railway

The 762mm gauge runs from Gniezno towards Anastaziwo and was once used for hauling sugar beet but now appears to be struggling to survive with the occassional tourist train. Trains now terminate at Powitz near a military airfield (if you are interested in that sort of thing!). A group of four of us chartered the track and train for the day and took turns driving. The route is not very scenic and very overgrown. They really need to get some hedge trimmers out there! The line passes through suburbia for a considerable distance and has to cross numerous roads. Later you pass into farmland. You can stop virtually anywhere you like and the there is a conveniently place supermarket (for stocking up on sausages) and a bar (for washing them down when they have cooked) right by the track!

 

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Map showing the 762mm gauge line running from Gniezno to Anastazawo , now terminating at Powidz.

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Px48 crossing a farm track at speed!
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... and again!
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Our fireman about to couple up to the train
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This railway has a bar!