SNCB / NS Archive trip report - 'That Which Survives'. UK to the Netherlands for a class 58. 6-8 July 2007

1733 hauls an NS Intercity service near Moerdijk. 07/07/2007

 

Eurostar set 3013 at Waterloo ready to form my 
train to Brussels 06/07/2007. 

Aside from a short foray to Ireland in 2006 to sample the 'Thumper' DEMU's, this really was my first 'proper' rail trip abroad- and again in search of some British design. 

We all have regrets over trains that we have missed due to simply being too young or not not having the knowledge of them. One of these regrets for me was missing the class 58's, which worked their final train on 3rd September 2001. The class had gone on to work abroad in France, Spain and the Netherlands and with no prospect of further work in the UK it was clear that if I wanted to see the class in operation I would need to head further afield. 

2021 arrives into Brussels Midi with an international train from Luxembourg with Swiss coaching stock. 06/07/2007.

Shunter 8219 prepares to detach stock. 06/07/2007.

My friend Jonathan from the model railway club had travelled on several railtours run by Mercier Charters and suggested that this would be a good opportunity to sample a class 58 now working with ACTS in the Netherlands. After the details were thrashed out everything was set and we were booked on Mercier's 'That Which Survives' tour for 7th July 2007. 

The tour started in Rotterdam and we would make the journey in both directions by rail - the first serious travel I had done abroad and my first trip on Eurostar since a family holiday to Disneyland in 1996! 

High speed rescue locos fitted with Schaffenberg couplers, 5506 and 5501 arrive into Brussels Midi. 06/07/2007.

2717 arrives into Brusselles Midi. 06/07/2007.

1352 arrives into Brusselles Midi. 06/07/2007.

Plan V 854 is stabled next to Raillion 1602 at
Rotterdam Centraal. 06/07/2007

2007 was the final year of Eurostar operations from Waterloo International before the move to St Pancras and it was good to get some slightly better photos of the operation than those I gook on my dad's camera in 1996! 

The Eurostar was taken through to Brussels where we had a couple of hours before transfering on to Rotterdam by Thalys. 

Raillion 232 909 passes through Rotterdam 
Centraal next to a 'Koplopper' 06/07/2007.

This was my first time in Belgium and I can't pretend that I knew what the trains were at the time- before the influx of the current Vectron fleet there were plenty of older locomotives to see and looking back it is pleasing to see that I managed to capture one of the powerful class 20's before they were withdrawn. We were lucky to also catch a pair of high-speed line rescue class 55 locos which arrived and reversed in the station. Some shunting was also taking place- something quite unfamiliar now in the UK rail scene. 

1753 hauls a rake of ex-German ICK coaches (withdrawn in 2009) into Rotterdam Centraal. 06/07/2007.

1713 hauls a DD-AR set at Rotterdam Centraal. 06/07.2007.

Our transfer on to Rotterdam was by an Amsterdam bound Thalys- I had long had a fascination with the TGV and this was the closest I had come to having a ride on one. The ride was enjoyable, though very little of the journey was actually covered on high-speed lines at this point. I have not travelled by Thalys since this trip, partly due to the loco hauled options available on the route (and the usual expense of taking the Thalys!).

An ICM 'Koploper' at Rotterdam Alexander 08/09/2007

After arrival at Rotterdam there was some time to watch the trains of Nederland Spoorwegen in their distinctive yellow and blue. Particularly pleasing were smart NS 1700 locos working with loco-hauled stock at the time. These locos also worked push-pull double deck DD-AR sets, which confusingly sometimes had a 1700 and sometimes a driving motor coach. 

Other distinctive units working for NS included the distinctive 'dog nose' 2-car Plan V 'mat 64 units that I really which I had showed some more attention! Quickly established as a favorite were also the ICMm 'Koplopers', translating as 'Head Walker' reference the gangways which could be connect units from their noses, the cab being positioned high up on the unit 'jumbo jet' style. 

A DD-AR set is pushed into Rotterdam Centraal by a 1700 loco. These sets have since been re-formed to Intercity format with motor coaches as NIZ units or scrapped. 06/07/2007.

A pair of 'Plan V' units at Rotterdam Centraal 07/07/2007

A trio of 6400 locomotives hauls a freight through Rotterdam
Alexander 08/07/2007.

Freight traffic through Rotterdam Centraal was plentiful, levels not seeming to be affected severely by the opening of the freight only 'Betuweroute' just a few weeks earlier. Some of the most unusual locos on offer were the DB Railion 232's, which I now know well as 'Ludmillas' which worked many of the international trains from Germany. Infact, these 232's would have been my first introduction to German railways.

'Ludmilla' 232 109 is seen near Moerdijk with an iron ore train. 07/07/2007.

A trio of 6400's with a coal train near Moerdijk. 07/07/2007.

As well as the strange foreign locos there was of course some familiarity in the class 66's that were operating for various freight companies. The locos however which did not grab my attention were the Mak 6400 locos which operated in multiple on heavy freight trains- to my eye these were very boxy and looked a bit too much like shunters.

In the striking livery of Vos Logistics, 5814 (58038) powers up before leading the empty stock away from Rotterdam Centraal after working the 'That Which Survives' charter for Mercier Tours. The station has been totally transformed since and is almost unrecognisable- however the footbridge, new at the time is retained within the new structure. 07/072007.

6703 is at the head of the train which is part way through a 
locomotive re-shuffle at Utrecht Centraal. 07/07/2007.

The day of the railtour dawned and stock was brought into Rotterdam Centraal by 5814, ex BR 58038, one of the three class 58's used by ACTS along with 5811 (58039) and 5812 (58044)- 5813 was missed from the number sequence. 

5814 was the third and final class 58 to be shipped to the Netherlands for ACTS and unlike its sisters was not outshopped in the companies blue and yellow livery but instead carried the striking black and orange scheme of Vos Logistics, a major customer. 

5814 attaches to the front of the train, with 1251 
in position at the head to work forward. 07/07/2007.

Also found on the train were examples of ACTS' other heritage traction, and ex-Belgian class 62 diesel, 6703 and an ancient ex-NS Baldwin 1200 class, 1251. 

Full details of the railtour including the routings can be found at the excellent www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk. 

With the other locomotives detached, 6703 performs a photographic run past on the Moerdijk branch. 07/07/2007.

Baldwin designed 1251 is shunted at Utrecht Centraal. 07/07/2007. 

Another first for me was a lineside photo stop- something very much consigned to the history books in the UK but still possible it the slightly less risk adverse countries abroad. The train pulled onto a branch line near Moerdijk and participants had the option to disembark before the train propelled back, ran past us and then set back again to pick up the passengers. This train having rather more British cranks than European the process was not well understood and became protracted as people scattered everywhere, thrilled with the liberty of being allowed off the train and onto the track! The view of the runpast itself was challenging for light, but a number of good pictures were achieved of the mainline which passed above the branch at this point, indeed we used its embankment as a vantage point- this definitely would not be allowed back home. 

1760 flies past the photo stop location at Moerdijk. 07/07/2007.

1849 passes Moerdijk with an intercity service. 07/07/2007.

6703 at the end of the line in the freight terminal at Moerdijk. 07/07/2007.

Very obviously related to the familiar English Electric class 08,
661 is attached to the front of the train at Beekbergen. 07/07/2007.

Another highlight of the trip was running over the preserved lines of Veluwsche Stoomtrein Maatschappij, including being powered by their class 661 shunter, the sisters of the familiar class 08 back home. 

Unfortunately the tour ran into some timing issues and subsequent lineside photo stops had to be omitted. The train was also re-routed at the end of the day due to a combination of a power failure in the Utrecht area and the need to make up for lost time, unfortunately that meant missing a rehearsal and consequently we would not be hauled by the 58 again, arrival back into Rotterdam Centraal (still around an hour late) was behind 1251 and 6703. 

Very foreign looking steam locos are assembled on the depot at Beekbergen. 07/07/2007.

1745 is seen from a passing train on the outskirts of Utrecht. 08/07/2007.

With the railtour completed Sunday was at our leisure to explore the railways of the Netherlands. We took a train from Rotterdam to Utrecht where we would visit the Dutch national railway museum. To reach the museum itself a shuttle train runs from the main station directly into the museum site this is a regular NS train rather than any sort of heritage service. 

1202 restored and cared for by the Dutch Railway Museum makes an unexpected appearance at Utrecht Centraal. 08/07/2007.

1767 is on the rear of the museum train. 08/07/2007.

Back at Utrecht Centraal after visiting the museum we got lucky, while standing on one of the platforms with our cameras somebody started shouting at us in Dutch- initial thought was that there was some sort of problem, as unfortunately is so often the case, however gesturing that we didn't understand the man went away. A few moments later we realised what he was likely shouting at us about- preserved 1212 looking very smart its original blue livery arrived with an empty stock working. So the shouting man was a friend not foe! 

Probably my first sighting of an ICE train, 4601 at Utrecht Centraal. 08/07/2007.

The familiar class 66 has become commonplace in the Netherlands,
6601 is seen at Utrecht Centraal for ERS Railways. 08/07/2007.

Having picked up our things again in Rotterdam it was now time to head back home. We were once again booked on the Thalys to Brussels and then the Eurostar back to London Waterloo. There was some time to spare in Brussels so we elected to hop off the Thalys a stop early at Brussels Noord in order to pick up one of the many loco-hauled options into Brussels Midi. The train we happened upon was one of the 'Benelux' services which would itself have originated from Amsterdam before following the route of our own Thalys through to Brussels. 

1184 calls at Rotterdam Centraal with a 'Benelux' service. 08/07/2007.

These trains were hauled by Belgian class 11 locos which were dedicated to the international Brussels - Amsterdam service. The class 11 itself was in the twilight of their career, being replaced on the Benelux service two years later in 2009 due to the high number of failures on the high profile service. They would remain in traffic on domestic duties until final withdrawal in 2012. The Benelux service was taken over by class 186 'Traxx' locos on an interim basis until the planned delivery of the ill-fated V250 'Fyra' EMU's from Ansaldo-Breda. As of 2020 the 'Traxx' locos are still working the international service. 

1191 is seen passing Lage Zwaluwe with an Amsterdam bound 'Benelux' service. The loco pulls a collection of ICR coaches carry the livery of NS (blue/yellow), the special 'Benelux' livery (red/yellow) and the new Fyra scheme.

5814 runs around the train at Dieren on the preserved line. 07/07/2007.

As often seems to be the case on my visits, the weather in Brussels was poor and before long we had been whisked back home by Eurostar. 

A very enjoyable first trip to Europe. It would be several years before I would return properly, and the ACTS class 58's would be long gone.

A pair of 'Plan V' units seen near Moerdijk- these units finally bowed out of service in 2016 after 55 years of service with NS.

Poland 23-29th September 2020

Pt47-65 pauses for the DMU to Wolsztyn to cross it at Nova Wies Mochy while working the 05:30 Wolsztyn - Leszno. 25.09.2020

CTL's 182 090 passes Mysłowice in a patch of 
good light with a coal train. 29.09.2020

Introduction:

A very short notice trip to Poland (Flights booked about 24 hours before!)- I’m convinced that the best way to beat the pandemic travel lottery is to book very last minute checking that your country is still on the ‘good’ list!

Two of my friends had landed themselves a week on the Wolsztyn experience, and while I could not join for the whole week due to work commitments a crazy plan had hatched in my head to fly out after work on the Wednesday for a few days in Poland, including joining them at Wolsztyn for steam and beers. With them flying home on the Sunday it wouldn’t be much of a trip, so a few days were tagged on the end for some freight photography in Silesia, somewhere I had not visited since 2011.

EP07 1015 approaches Leszno heading towards Wrocław. 25.09.2020

 

PT47-65 prior to departure to Poznan. 26.09.2020

Wednesday 23^rd September:

Today's plan was simply to get to Poland. Flying with Wizz from Luton is never ideal, however I numbed the pain by discovering a nice HST move with 43073 leading the 18:04 St Pancras to Leeds, one of very few chances to reach the airport with a proper train!

The flight was around 30 minutes late and once in Poland it was almost Thursday- the only task was to get to my accommodation the Ibis Budget on the outskirts of Wrocław. Fortunately quick disembarkation and luggage got me in a taxi and I was in my hotel room only 30 minutes after the flight arrived.

ET22 1162 passes Myslowice with covered steel carriers. 29.09.2020

 

DB 189 017 approaches Wrocław Stadion. 24.09.20

Thursday 24^th September:

Aware that the weather forecast for my week was getting worse every time I checked it I really needed to make the most of this day, as it could be my last dry one for the whole trip!

The Covid breakfast offer at the hotel was not appealing so I headed straight out to find a lineside spot near to Wrocław Stadion station on the line to Zielina Gora. Unfortunately my first freight, and only one in the right direction was hauled by DB 189 017- I hadn’t come here to see modern German electrics! A couple more freights passed in the opposite direction with more Polish traction, EU07 199 and EU07 180 double heading a freight for Cargonuit with ET22 903 in pursuit.

EU07 199 and EU07 180 at Wrocław Stadion. 24.09.20

My next stop was Wroclaw Zerniki on the line towards Legnica. Again the trains weren’t especially kind with the only freight in the ‘right’ direction being hauled by DB’s plain white Vectron 193 560. In the other direction was Lotos Skoda 181 071 with an oil train. Fortunately the only passenger had been going the ‘right’ way, towards Wrocław so that did provide some compensation.

My next target was to head to the area around Wrocław Brochów depot, first traveling through the beautifully restored Wrocław Głowny. Here there was a surprise in a meeting with one of the new PKP Intercity ‘Griffin’ locos, EU160 024 built by Newag, working a TLK service.

EP07 435 passes through Wrocław Zerniki 24.09.2020

New PKP IC EU160-024 'Griffin' built by Newag stands at Wrocław Głowny with a TLK 24.09.2020

EP09 008 heads south from Wrocław Brochow. 24.09.2020

On arrival at Wroclaw Brochow there was a nice surprise in M62 1705 sitting in the yard on an engineers train, terribly positioned for a photo. Of course when a freight did arrive it was another German affair with DB’s Vectron 193 395.

I had identified a spot south of the station which should give a good view of IC trains, though didn’t expect any freight to pass here. En-route I was distracted somewhat by Kris-Max ‘Ludmilla’ 232 583 which was shunting in the yard. Various interesting older locos could be seen in the depot- something to explore later.

It took a while to get my IC shots but I was rewarded with EP09 008 and EU07 317 heading south after a little wait.

New ET26 003 'Dragon' loco form Newag stands outside the depot at Wrocław Brochow. 24.09.2020

Not moving, but at least well lit- ST44 1220 on Wrocław Brochow. 24.09.2020

Now it was time to tackle the depot- clearly lugging my hold luggage around was not going to be an option so I found a ‘subtle’ location to hide this for an hour or so by the lineside- sometimes needs must! I then donned my HV jacket, much more common in Poland than they once were, and simply wandered into the depot. Inside was a treasure-trove of locos, both serviceable and not. 

SU46 041 awaiting the cutters torch. 24.09.2020

Highlights included ST44 1220 (a class I have still not seen moving a train for PKP), ET41 141 in green nicely positioned, brand new EU26 003 (a new Newag ‘Dragon’) and the star being ET42 029 in heritage green – a class I had not previously photographed and which was high on my priority list for this trip. 

The depot also contained examples of ET21, ET22, SM31, SM42, ST43, SU45, SU46. My final port of call in the depot were some pictures of fire damaged SU46 041 which was sitting ready to be scrapped.

Retro-liveried ET42 029 stands on the depot at Wrocław Brochaw. 24.09.2020

Another heritage surprise is EP08 001 in the former express
orange livery seen shunting at Wrocław Głowny. 24.09.2020

I retrieved my bag and headed back to the station quite content. I would have another pleasant surprise at Wrocław Głowny as heritage orange liveried EP08 001 was shunting at the station, ahead of joining my own train to Leszno behind EP07 312. It wasn’t far out of Wrocław before the sun mostly disappeared. Despite some hauled stock on the other side of the station my train on to Wolsztyn was, of course, a nasty 2 car DMU, but I was at least met on arrival in Wolsztyn with an ice cream before being taken to my accommodation courtesy of the Wolsztyn experience.

 

EP07 2001 working from Poznan to Jelenia Gora at Leszno. 25.09.20

Friday 25^th September:

With only four round trips behind steam available in during my short stay in Wolsztyn I was obviously going to have to be up early for the 05:30 Wolsztyn – Leszno behind Pt47 65, a change from the Ol49’s which I had seen in steam on my previous trips. Getting up early certainly paid off as the morning light turned out to be good and there were a couple of opportunities for photo stops when the train was booked to pass DMU’s.

At Leszno I was caught by surprise by PolRegio’s (the new name for Przewozy Regionale) EP07 2001, working R76901 05:40 Poznan – Jelenia Gora, one of only a handful of workings for these trains. Also catching my attention was ST43 208 which was sitting outside the roundhouse at Leszno, clearly having been very recently moved despite this class now having effectively been withdrawn.

'Withdrawn' ST43 208 outside the roundhouse at Leszno. 24.09.2020

Back at Wolsztyn there was time for a quick change of attire before it was my turn on the footplate for the afternoon run to and from Leszno. Firebox food consumed back at the shed there was time for some photography and a scrub up before dinner at the usual Wolsztyn restaurant the Powozownia.

 

Saturday 26^th September:

PT47-65 powers out of Wolsztyn with the afternoon run to Poznan on 26th September 2020.

It was another early start as I was footplating again in the morning. This being a Saturday the steam turn is the 06:12 Wolsztyn – Poznan. Very little to report other than the steam as there wasn’t time to do much else in Poznan before the return after cleaning the loco and finding a bite to eat.

Highlighted by the lights of the brand new, but not yet opened platform 1 at Wolsztyn, PT47-65 awaits departure with the 05:30 Wolsztyn - Leszno. 25.09.2020

After watching the afternoon departure from Wolsztyn it was time to finally explore the town and the lake – something that I don’t think I found any time to actually do on my previous visit! Before dinner there was just time to pop down to the station to see the final steam arrival and hitch a quick ride down to the shed. This didn’t put me in the best position to buy my ticket for the following day from the ticket office and after walking back I discovered the lady didn’t want to sell me one anyway!

 

SU4210 004 under the shed at Wrocław Głowny. 27.09.2020

Sunday 27^th September:

Today was supposedly going to be the worst weather of the trip, which was fine as essentially it was to be a transit day. Being a Sunday there weren’t very many options to get out of Wolsztyn, and no steam either. I opted for the 09:31 to Leszno where I had an hour and a half fester before picking up EP07 1029 and retracing my steps back towards Wroclaw. The pause did give me time to explore the town of Leszno, something I’ve also not done before – the place is certainly pleasant but, again being a Sunday, mostly closed. Large parts of the Leszno – Wrocław line are currently under re-construction with single line working in place. The construction trains are being handled by a selection of Green TEM2 locomotives which can be seen shunting around their ballast wagons in the station from time to time.

EU07 540 calls at the new station at Gliwice 27.09.2020

At Wroclaw an extra coach was added to the train by SM4210 004. I also elected to try out the buffet car and had some rather pleasant breaded camembert for lunch.

Although I had booked through to my final destination; Katowice, since the light was not actually as bad as I had expected I left the train at Gliwice in the hope of seeing some freight- I had barely passed any on the train but having been here before (when it looked totally different) I knew it was a spot with potential. Five freights were seen in my two hours (all bar one in the first)- all with Polish traction this time. As I continued on to Katowice behind EP07 387 the sun came tantalisingly close to coming out and as I arrived into another station rebuilt since my previous visit there was a lovely sunset. 

Kolprem EU07's 153 and 070 power a coal train through Gliwice. 27.09.2020

I checked into my accommodation close to the station and quickly decided that I was exhausted from the last few days early starts it was to be a take away pizza in my room and an early night.

 

Monday 28^th September:

A very grey start to the day as I pondered my move to Mysłowice for some freight photography. I ended up purposely missing the train and deciding to take the tram, the only complication being working out where to get a ticket. I found a 90 minute ticket for 5zl from a convenience store and made my way via routes 20 and 14.

A pair of Konstal 105 trams lead by 508 shortly after departing from the station at Mysłowice. While there isn't much to indicate it here, Silesian tramways are rapidly modernising. 28.09.2020

The only double unit of the session- ZSSK's 131 020 works a coal 
train through Mysłowice. 28.09.2020

The Sliesian tramways are worth a trip in their own right for anyone who takes an interest in such things. The network is one of the largest interurban tramways in the world covering 111 route miles and linking many cities in the area. While many parts of the tramway have been modernised, particularly around Katowice itself, and much of the fleet is now new or modernised stock it is still easily possible to find sections of ancient decaying infrastructure worked by the typical, if outgoing, Konstal 105’s. Indeed I bumped into a British tram spotter while riding the route 14 towards Mysłowice.

In the familiar colours of Wisconsin Central 
RailPolska's 201Eo-001 (ET22) passes Mysłowice. 28.09.2020

There is a nice tram stop outside the station where routes 14 and 26 both terminate, and unfortunately while photographing the trams here I missed my first freight, a coal train hauled by a CTL TEM-2, even more unfortunately this had probably been the most interesting train to pass all morning. Mysłowice had potential to be very good, but in the gloom of a Monday morning slightly disappointed. Freight seen was as follows:

-OBB 1294 004 – Southbound Cargowagon / Intermodal

-RailPolska 201Eo-001 (ET22) – Southbound LE

-STK S200 529 (ChME3) – Southbound LE

-ZSSK 131 020 – Southbound Coal

-Lotos 6Dg-166 top and tail 6Dg 147 - southbound Coal

-OBB 1294 004 – Northbound LE

-PKP Cargo ET22 1124 – Southbound mixed

The driver of a Konstal 105 on Silisian route 14 manually
changes the points, another reminder of the investment 
still required on this massive inter-urban system. 29.09.2020

-PKP Cargo ET22 829 – Southbound Intermodal

-PKP Cargo SM42 080 – Southbound LE

-CTL TEM-2 227 – Northbound LE

-CTL 185 085 – Southbound LE

-Cargonit E6ACT-003 (Newag Dragon) – Northbound Tanks

-ECCO Rail SM42 2446 – Southbound LE

ST48 050, heavily built from an ST48 on a coal train in dismal 
conditions at Tarnowskie Gory. 28.09.2020

The afternoon plan was to move on to Tarnowskie Góry where I had identified a lineside position- unfortunately the weather didn’t improve, but at least my EN57 was particularly loud!

Once in position there was a bit of a wait for some trains but several southbound services did appear in increasingly poor weather conditions:

-LOTOS 181049 + 181058 Soutbhound tanks

-PKP Cargo ST48 040 Soutbhound Coal

- PKP Cargo ET22 999 Southbound LE

Modern traction against old infrastructure at Bytom. 28.09.2020

Classic Konstal action on the modernised main street of
Katowice with a route 7 service. 

The spot certainly had potential but with the weather getting progressively wetter and my bag already taking shelter beneath my umbrella I called time on the location early and headed back to Bytom. This is a station which has absolutely not been modernised (at platform level at least) with a large dingy overall roof. A couple of stabled freights were photographed here before I made my way back to Katowice by tram, after a lengthy delay finding a shop which could sell me a ticket. Route 7 was far less run down that the lines around Mysłowice but I did at least manage a Konstal 105 for part of the journey.

I made it out for dinner tonight and also managed a few night photos of the trams outside the main station before bed.

 

Tuesday 29^th September:

SM42 552 shunts several double-unit ET41's (139 and 074) on depot at Czechowice-Dziedzice. 29.09.2020

Konstal 105 340 emerges from the trees at
Mysłowice. 29.09.2020

This was the one day I was actually hoping for some decent weather, so to wake up for thick drizzle was somewhat of a disappointment! I had hastily made a plan the previous night of my moves today and drawn straws between Czestochowa and Czechowice-Dziedzice- the latter having won and affording my first ride with a Griffin with EU160 022 on a TLK towards Zilina, Slovakia. This should have been a freight hotspot but I realised fairly quickly that this was not going to be the case- the line towards Ostrava was blocked for engineering works (quite major engineering works- there was no track!), and it appeared the line towards Oswicem may well have been closed too. There was time to watch a bit of shunting within the depot and photograph the familiar looking 66166 in the yard before making a quick exit on the next train back to Katowice.

A lucky catch- Heritage liveried EP07 174 approaches Katowice with a TLK. 29.09.2020

While I still mourn the passing of Green ET22's
and their former passenger work these machines
are still amongst my favorites in Poland. ET22 896 
waits the road at Mysłowice. 29.09.2020 

Without a huge amount of time left there wasn’t a huge choice of alternative locations for what was left of the afternoon, so feeling it still had some potential I headed back to Mysłowice. A lucky bonus was catching EU07 174 in heritage green outside Katowice Głowny while being hauled myself by EU07 302.

A classic look to TEM2-116 at Mysłowice. 29.09.20

At Mysłowice the activity was better than the previous morning with highlights including Komprem M62M 018 (which looked great but sounded like a class 66!), and TEM2 – 116 (which certainly did not sound like a 66!). The light got a lot better too and a few interludes were taken to photograph the trams outside and go for a short hop on route 26 towards Sosnowiec- an interesting journey again on old infrastructure with Konstal 105 trams. 

A nice surprise was CTL's 'Ludmilla'. 232 584 passing through Mysłowice with a coal train. 29.09.20

Elderly 3E-100-076 (ET21) catches the sun at 
Mysłowice. 29.09.2020

In my time at Mysłowice the following freight trains were seen:

-PKP Cargo ET22 1023 – Northbound intermodal

-Kolprem M62M 018 – Northbound loaded steel

-TEM2 116 + Orion 6Dm 01 Northbound tanks

-PKP Cargo ET22 562 – Northbound Coal

-PKP Cargo ET22 209 – Southbound loaded scrap

-PKP Cargo ET22 1162 – Southbound steel carriers

-DB Schenker Rail Polska 66173 – Northbound LE

-Akiem 186 354 – Southbound coal

-Kris-Max 232 368 – Northbound single chemical tank

A very short load- Kris-Max 232 358 hauls a 
single chemical tank through Mysłowice. 29.09.20

-CTL 182 090 – Southbound Coal

-PKP Cargo ET41 192 – Southbound Coal

-CTL 232 584 – Southbound Coal

-DB Schenker Rail Polska 3E-100-076 (ET21) – Northbound LE

-PKP Cargo ET41 192 – Northbound Coal

-PKP Cargo ET22 896 – Northbound LE

M62M018 hauls a train of steel coils through Mysłowice. The loco has been re-engined and now sounds just like an EMD class 66! 29.09.20

 

A friend from back home - 66173 works light
engine through Mysłowice. 29.09.2020

Finally it was time to board my IC115 from Katowice to Krakow behind EU07 306. This route bears very little resemblance to the slow and aging infrastructure I experienced back in 2011 on my first visit, and while the line speed is an improvement I can’t say the same for the extensive sound fences which now hem in this route. A final area of work is between Jaworzno Szczakowa and Trezibinia where there is an extensive section of single line working, including the station at Trezibinia being totally re-built. The train is slowed by these works significantly, but that simply provided me time to enjoy my Czech beer on tap from the buffet before arriving into Krakow.

With conditions brightening double unit ET41 160 hauls a coal train through Mysłowice. 29.09.2020

 On arrival I was greeted by EP09 046, which I was surprised to see was still in the red and orange heritage livery I had seen it wearing on my first trip to Poland.

 A final heritage treat - EP09 046 at Krakow Glowny. 29.09.2020

There was not time for any more trains, plus the light had gone so I checked my bag into a locker and spent my last hour wandering around the delights of Krakow’s old town. I had forgotten quite how beautiful, and full of tourists, it was- quite unlike Katowice. Finally it was time to pick up my bag, do a bit of shopping and head to the airport- like so much of Poland the rail link having been rebuilt since my previous visit.

 

Conclusions:

Konstal 105N's at Mysłowice. The second vehicle being a heavily modernised version of foreground model. Much of route 14 and 26 which converge here maintain their old charm. 29.09.2020

EU07 317 heads south from Wrocław Brochaw. 29.09.2020

Poland somehow always leaves me wanting more and the area around Silisia does seem to be the busiest with its concentration of coal and heavy industry. Sadly once again I didn’t see either an ST44 or ET42 in motion during the trip- so that will be my excuse for my next visit- but I did at least see examples of both classes on the depot at Wroclaw.

Steam at Wolsztyn is quite a unique spectacle, and while we can all debate how ‘real’ or not it is, it is now the best example of regular working steam in Europe with ‘normal’ paying passengers on board. Clearly the operation isn’t going to continue for ever, but it has survived Covid for now and the local government has funded running for 2021.

It was great once again to get away during this ‘complicated’ year- indeed the curtains were drawn on quarantine free travel to Poland just a few days after my trip with restrictions being reintroduced for Poland 4 days later! A lucky escape there! Who knows where the next trip might be!?

PT47-65 heads into stormy skies as it leaves Wolsztyn for Poznan. 26.09.2020