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This link leads you to more pictures about Polish narrow gauge steam and the chance to experience it on your own.
The weather was on our side, the trains were composed of freight cars that were especially overhauled for our group and had the new logos of the present owners over-painted back to PKP. They were superb and the people on the narrow gauge lines supported all our wishes. Even the early morning departure times were accurate on all the lines. Because of all this coming together so well, this tour was fantastic! For sure we’ll repeat it.
The only bitter point was the financial behaviour of the management of some lines. I wrote about this already in the Spring 2008 newsletter: in July 2007 I visited all the lines to prepare the tour, to choose the freight wagons which needed to be overhauled, to arrange the details. Everywhere I got a rough price with the promise to give me a detailed offer a few days or weeks later. Well, the offers never arrived although I asked for them several times. Close to the tour date the railways came over with their prices – and those were been far beyond what was said in the beginning.
The difference from the price they gave me in July 2007 to the price which came out in February and March 2008 was between zero and 92% more. Znin, which offered an 85% higher price could be bargained down to plus 54% “only”. The one and only railway which stuck to their prices from the beginning to the end was Sroda. Unfortunately, those honest people faced the biggest problem: just as we wanted to start the early morning train to get some glint shots the loco derailed in the depot area! They arranged for a large a crane that solved the problem within a few minutes after it had arrived. We got some glint shots – of a derailed locomotive … and of course, I gave them a big tip, which covered the costs of the crane.
The worst experience I had was in Gniezno. I got a telephone call in the evening before we wanted to start. They told us that the VAT hadn’t been added to the price – and in Poland it is 22%! This came out well calculated as they always refused to issue an invoice before the tour, and they also refused a payment beforehand. In all the telephone calls before hand, they assured us that their price is a final price – which wasn’t the case.
After we have done all the work it’s likely that you’ll find some cheap offers for Polish narrow gauge steam on these lines. Don’t ask me to offer such a cheapie, I’d rather give them some donations to keep their lines and steam locos alive (as I did in Smigiel this time, despite the tricky situation with higher prices almost everywhere) than to lose the last moments of possible steam operation and leave them alone. If you want to support the Polish narrow gauge lines and their steam trains, just join our Autumn trip 2008! You won’t be disappointed and the revenue will indeed help support the steam lines.
See my former reports. Because of a blockade the line was closed for several months. After they found a solution with the land owner the line again sees some freight traffic and during the summer, they have tourist trains, although both are diesel hauled. The line can be used until Anastazewo. They have different serviceable freight wagons and one nice passenger coach, which carried (according to our request) the old PKP inscription. Their only serviceable steam loco is in Smigiel and needed to be transferred by road if you wanted to have a steam train there.
The boiler certificate of the little 0-8-0 Px 38 805 will expire in October. The railway can’t afford another overhaul, so our planned tour in October 2008 might be the last chance to see this locomotive under steam for many years at least.
The line can be used as far as Gasawa. They have regular tourist trains from Spring to Autumn which are hauled by diesel.
The turntable needs repair and currently can’t be used for the steam loco.
Click here if you want to experience the probably last steam operation in Znin.
They just got their Px 48 back from overhaul. The line has some rural charm, and some gradients give a lot of opportunities for good pictures. The freight cars which were overhauled for our group are a sight and really look nice!
The line can be used from Gryfice to Pogorzelica. During the summer they run diesel hauled tourist trains.
Additional pictures from the metre gauge line of Gryfice you'll find together with the itenrary for the next tour.
This railway from Sroda to Zaniemysl offers nice rolling stock. You can have 100% authentic freight and passenger trains in different variations. Unfortunately they have a more or less boring line in places but there are several places good spots for nice shots. The serviceable loco is facing southwest (unlike to the old days of PKP).
During the summer they run tourist trains to Zaniemysl. In addition, they offer special steam trains.
Due to the bad track condition the officials withdraw the operational permit for the section between Smigiel and Wielichowo. Only the section from Stare Bojanowo to Smigiel is still in use for freight traffic. It’s not sure whether they’ll repair the tracks to Wielichowo and re-open the line, although it was said that this was planned. The school trains causing a deficit and the very light freight traffic came to a complete stop some months ago.
The remaining section has good potential for photography. The telegraph poles are still intact, and the semaphore in Smigiel is still in place. The refurbished freight cars done for our group make it possible to see an narrow gauge freight train here too.
We were able to hire two old-style open standard gauge wagons with two axles to carry them on transporter wagons. The train looked 100% like in the good old days ...
The line to Poznan will be modernized soon. In April 2008 they used colourful trains behind steam. However, it was possible to take some good shots during our stay in and around Wolsztyn.
