Although not directly modelling related, my recent visit to Poland gave me the opportunity to travel on a real railway first hand, which was a fascinating experience indeed. I undertook a day return from Jaworzno to Krakow, with both trains consisting of a ‘proper’ electric locomotive and coaches. Each trip was by a Polish Railways (PKP) Inter City train, with a loco looking not unlike former BR class 81 / 85, and coaches that looked to date from around the mid 1960’s or so – comparable to a Mk1 or early Mk2 vehicle. These coaches are very comfortable and clean with a superb quality of ride and hark back to the days of when rail travel in the UK was about a service for passengers, rather than making a profit for directors and shareholders. Coaches have compartments that seat 8 (in second class), and the best feature of all – windows that open so that you lean out and watch, or photograph, the passing scenery. Here is a snapshot of the two journeys I made on these trains:
Our train pulls into Jaworzno Szczakowa, being the
06:35 from Wroclaw that would continue to Przemysl arriving at 15:35.
Permanent Way workers get on with a repair job as the train passes by -
no weekend closures with bus replacements in Poland!
Lush green vegetation flanks the well maintained and smooth railway.
Windows that open are a real blast from the past!
Just what is needed in the 35 degree celsius heat of the day.
Passing a northbound express during the
only intermediate station stop at Trzebinia.
A Polish Railways (PKP-Cargo) freight loco stabled outside Trzebinia Station.
The Polish countryside from the train - note the complete absence of 8 foot high palisade fencing or barriers at the open level crossing. Polish people understand that walking or driving along a busy railway line isn't conducive to a long and healthy life, so they don't need miles and miles of expensive and unneccessary fencing to keep them off. Who needs rules when you can use commonsense, eh, Gordon?
Arriving at Krakow Glowny station over a junction that is a PW worker's
dream of double slips and diamond crossings.
The signal box that controls the busy area is situated to the left.
It ain't pretty, is it? This loco was stabled in Krakow for a later turn in the day.
With the sightseeing stuff out of the way, time to return to the station for our return trip to Jaworzno. This provided the opportunity to see another EP13 loco, this time in charge of a southbound Inter City service.
Our train back to Jaworzno was the 19:14 from Krakow, although it had started it's journey several hours previously at Rzescow. The ultimate destination was the Baltic seaside resort of Kolobrzeg (pronounced, would you believe as 'Co-obzjay) where arrival would be at 07:58 the following morning. Consequently, the consist contained sleeping cars and couchettes towards the rear of the train for long distance travellers.
All coaches carry these useful route boards, which denote principle intermediate stations and the final destination. These are invaluable because information at stations, even a major city like Krakow, is somewhat sketchy to say the least - and I'm being polite here.
The train heads out of Krakow, passing the major carriage servicing depot on the way. The former green and cream PKP livery is being phased out and replaced by the smart silver / grey scheme for Inter City trains, as seen on the coach on the right. Sleeping cars and couchettes receive the blue, red and white livery (centre vehicie) that immediately reminded me of Network South-East!
During the trip I decided to try out the video function on my Samsung Camera. I was pleasantly surprised by the results, never having videoed anything in my life before. This first clip was taken on the outskirts of Krakow, at a business park currently under construction. Our train passed a local EMU making a station stop at the new station. (Move mouse cursor over video for 'Start' button).
Back at Jaworzno, I had another go at filming, this time capturing our train departing for the next stage of the journey to the coast. Minutes later, a brand new EMU commuter service rolled in. It was great to stand at the end of a platform and not be abused by officious idiots in high-viz with nothing better to do than accuse me of being an international train bomber.
All in all, an excellent day of train travel, that brought back the romance and enjoyment of travelling by rail.
Our train pulls into Jaworzno Szczakowa, being the06:35 from Wroclaw that would continue to Przemysl arriving at 15:35.
Permanent Way workers get on with a repair job as the train passes by -no weekend closures with bus replacements in Poland!
Lush green vegetation flanks the well maintained and smooth railway.Windows that open are a real blast from the past!
Just what is needed in the 35 degree celsius heat of the day.
Passing a northbound express during theonly intermediate station stop at Trzebinia.
A Polish Railways (PKP-Cargo) freight loco stabled outside Trzebinia Station.
The Polish countryside from the train - note the complete absence of 8 foot high palisade fencing or barriers at the open level crossing. Polish people understand that walking or driving along a busy railway line isn't conducive to a long and healthy life, so they don't need miles and miles of expensive and unneccessary fencing to keep them off. Who needs rules when you can use commonsense, eh, Gordon?
Arriving at Krakow Glowny station over a junction that is a PW worker'sdream of double slips and diamond crossings.
The signal box that controls the busy area is situated to the left.
It ain't pretty, is it? This loco was stabled in Krakow for a later turn in the day.
With the sightseeing stuff out of the way, time to return to the station for our return trip to Jaworzno. This provided the opportunity to see another EP13 loco, this time in charge of a southbound Inter City service.
Our train back to Jaworzno was the 19:14 from Krakow, although it had started it's journey several hours previously at Rzescow. The ultimate destination was the Baltic seaside resort of Kolobrzeg (pronounced, would you believe as 'Co-obzjay) where arrival would be at 07:58 the following morning. Consequently, the consist contained sleeping cars and couchettes towards the rear of the train for long distance travellers.
All coaches carry these useful route boards, which denote principle intermediate stations and the final destination. These are invaluable because information at stations, even a major city like Krakow, is somewhat sketchy to say the least - and I'm being polite here.
The train heads out of Krakow, passing the major carriage servicing depot on the way. The former green and cream PKP livery is being phased out and replaced by the smart silver / grey scheme for Inter City trains, as seen on the coach on the right. Sleeping cars and couchettes receive the blue, red and white livery (centre vehicie) that immediately reminded me of Network South-East!During the trip I decided to try out the video function on my Samsung Camera. I was pleasantly surprised by the results, never having videoed anything in my life before. This first clip was taken on the outskirts of Krakow, at a business park currently under construction. Our train passed a local EMU making a station stop at the new station. (Move mouse cursor over video for 'Start' button).
Back at Jaworzno, I had another go at filming, this time capturing our train departing for the next stage of the journey to the coast. Minutes later, a brand new EMU commuter service rolled in. It was great to stand at the end of a platform and not be abused by officious idiots in high-viz with nothing better to do than accuse me of being an international train bomber.
All in all, an excellent day of train travel, that brought back the romance and enjoyment of travelling by rail.
Thanks for posting these fascinating photos. I had imagined somehow that Polish railways would be antedeluvian and basic...but that double slip gives the lie to all that. Great pics, and agree with your observations re health and safety!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great experience, and I would happily have undertaken all the trips by train rather than the back seat of a Skoda! It was a journey back in time as much as experiencing something new, so I hope to return soon.
ReplyDelete