Trains in Poland (part 1)

[R10 2952]

So once I returned on September 4th with all the pictures, I set about preparing them. And here they are.

 

First, we'll start with pictures of the main train station of Warsaw (and of Poland), Warsaw Central. After the Germans blew up the pre-war Warsaw Main Station while withdrawing from Warsaw, a new Warsaw Main Station was constructed in and around an old freight railyard. This station, the post-war Warsaw Main station, was concieved as a temporary station, until it could be replaced by a more long-term structure. Construction of Warsaw Central station commenced in 1969 and finished in 1975. At its debut, it was considered one of the largest and most modern railway stations in all of Europe. It is something of a national/cultural icon. I myself like it very much. The platforms and tracks are located in a tunnel, and the rest of the structure is in a huge above-ground hall. There are 8 tracks, 4 platforms.

Heading towards Lublin in southeastern Poland, we encounter one of the 'Warsaw trio' (Warsaw Central, Warsaw East, and Warsaw West) of key stations, Warsaw East. Warsaw East came into existence between 1950-1955. It is typical to any large/medium-sized stations of Poland: big, drab, grey, somewhat decrepit, and only half-busy at all hours.

The green-and-white train shown below is an Electrical Multiple Unit of the EN57 type. EN57s were built from 1962 to 2003. They are very popular, well-built, and a common sight on Polish State Railways (PKP). ~1,468 of the EN57s are still in service. EN57s are almost exclusively used for loca (short-distance) passenger runs, although I do remember once, due to 'technical difficulties', 3 EN57 EMUs were hooked up, forming a 9-car train, and sent from Lublin to Warsaw. There are more EN57 pictures to come.

Another shot of Warsaw East:

Here are Pulawy Main and Naleczow, two non-descript rail stations along the way to Lublin:

Another EN57:

And this is the interior of a typical PKP passenger car, an interior virtually unchanged since the 1980s:

This is the third station in the 'Warsaw trio', Warsaw West. Built around 1960, it is essentially the same size as Warsaw East, except that it is not as dirty and damaged.

A small freight railyard alongside the mainline:

The station at Swinoujscie, in the very northwestern corner of Poland. The locomotives on the siding are EU07s, built between 1963 and 1979. They are the oldest electric locomotives currently in use in Poland. They are known for their ability to excel in pulling long passenger trains over long distances. They aren't built like tanks, but at least they get the job done.

At the same time, a wagon train came banging through the station...

...pulled by an SM42 diesel (1961-1973). SM42s are also old, but like the EU07s, they have a good reputation. Back in the day, they commonly pulled short/medium-distance passenger and freight trains. Now, they have mostly been set aside as shunters in railyards of various sizes. They are good shunters, though. This one here did a good job shunting that long wagon train into the sidings.

Here is the train station in Miedzyzdroje, 18 kilometers east of Swinoujscie...

[via White Plains Road]

Wonderful pics!

[EE Broadway Local]

Nice train pics from Poland!

[Zman]

I was quite impressed with your photos, especially those taken at Warsaw Central with all the fancy lighting there. I can only imagine the sheer size of their workforce just to maintain those fixtures.

[R10 2952]

Nice train pics from Poland!

Thanks.

 

I was quite impressed with your photos, especially those taken at Warsaw Central with all the fancy lighting there. I can only imagine the sheer size of their workforce just to maintain those fixtures.

Thank you. And as to the light fixtures, you're right. The number of people needed to keep all those lights working is probably impressive.