Poland remains a country of interesting contrasts. It still shows many signs of its communist past but is rapidly catching up with the rest of Europe. Horse drawn ploughs and carts are still a fairly common sight in the rural areas whilst the bars in the towns show MTV on their television screens.
The steady increase in road traffic is having its own impact on the railways with passenger loadings decreasing and freight being increasingly carried by lorries. The state run railway system is being reduced and a number of lines sold to private companies or local communities.
Despite this steam locomotives are still being repaired and overhauled by the PKP at the works as Gneisno which retains a pool of skilled craftsmen. Across the road from the works is the start of the narrow-gauge railway which runs from Gneisno to Witkowo and which is steam operated by a PX48 0-8-0 on Saturdays. However beware the coaching stock which has the most unattractive and unsympathetic livery! |
