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Smigiel, Poland - positive developments

Discussion in 'International Heritage Railways/Tramways' started by nanstallon, Nov 9, 2012.

  1. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    It seems that the local authority is trying to make a go of the newly acquired narrow gauge line. The operating length of the Smigiel narrow gauge railway has been extended by 3km to Nowa Wies, with the first public train running over the reopened section this Sunday 11 November at 12:00. Together with the 5km from Stare Bojanowo to Smigiel this brings the total length in use to 8km of the 24km long line. There are also plans to reopen the 4km section between Nowa Wies and Bielawy. It is a better outcome than seemed likely when the local council effectively kicked SKPL out, so Wielochowo (the far terminus in recent years), which had by then lost all services, may not yet be dead!

    It seems that steam is yet to appear, with diesel locomotive Lxd2-241 hauling the Stare Bojanowo trains, diesel railcar MBxd2-226 the Nowa Wies trains.

    It may be worth keeping an eye on the website Åšmigielska Kolej WÄ…skotorowa - Start although I couldn't see any English translation. Operation is not guaranteed by yours truly - the first year of the tourist operation has been a mixed experience for the new local council operators, with some trains being popular and others being cancelled so please check before making a journey.

    Less positive has been the sale for scrap of most of the transporter wagons previously used to carry standard gauge freight wagons on the narrow gauge line, the abandonment of the lines running into the PKP passenger station and freight interchange at Stare Bojanowo on the Leszno to Poznan main line, and the sale of two of the line’s Lxd2 locomotives.

    It is not far from the steam operation at Wolsztyn; which is to be cut back to 5 days a week (not weekends) after the timetable change in December unless there is a change of heart.
     
    nanstallon, Nov 9, 2012
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  2. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    It is to be hoped then that the Wolsztyn Experience will once again use the line as an addition to the standard gauge operation. Driving on the Smigiel line was always great fun.
     
    RalphW, Nov 9, 2012
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  3. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    Site translates well in Chrome using Google translator
     
    Sheff, Nov 9, 2012
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