Wolsztyn, a small city southwest of Poznan, Poland, is home to the last European steam engines in regular service. There's currently about 10 engines still running, with steam service guaranteed until at least 2010. There are two steam-hauled passenger trains a day to and from Poznan (2:15 h), plus less frequent services to Leszno and Zbaszynek. Freight is transported on the lines around Wolsztyn and there's a nearby narrow gauge line under steam. The depot is also home to a large number of abandoned engines.
The whole thing was initiated when the Polish railways (PKP) were going to convert the
place to diesel in 1997. English railway enthousiasts presented a business plan to PKP
where the extra cost of steam (30%) are covered by visitors who get to drive the engines
for a week. You can join the Polish crews on the footplate and handle the monsters. This
adventure is known as The Wolsztyn
Experience. Needless to say, you'll be supporting the future of this operation by
joining.
You can also try to get on the footplate for a single trip when you're there...
Here's my pictures of the trip
Check this site for a ton of great photos of the engines
De Poolse spoorwegen (PKP) wilden in 1997 het depot Wolsztyn naar diesel converteren, maar een stel Engelse spoorgekken hebben dit weten te voorkomen. Zij boden aan om de extra kosten van stoom (30%) af te dekken met bijdragen van bezoekers, die voor een aanzienlijk bedrag op de plaat mogen rijden en stoken samen met het Poolse locpersonneel (1weeks arrangement). Deze hobby heet The Wolsztyn Experience. Hoe meer mensen er aan delnemen, des te zekerder is de toekomst van deze unieke stoomlijn.
Je kan natuurlijk ook ter plaatse met behulp van enige zlotys proberen of je op de loc mee mag rijden.
Hier zijn mijn foto's van de trip.
Hier vind je een berg mooie foto's van de locomotieven in Wolsztyn
copyright Willem Schipper