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There is also a map showing the route. Having a free day from work, I decided to take the opportunity to visit some new lines that I haven't ridden. With the threat of extensive lines closures still hanging over the PKP for January 1, time might be running out . . . Train #11521-0658 Bydgoszcz Fordon-Bydgoszcz Glowna (14 km): I'm out of bed at the very dark hour of 0530, have a quick breakfast, and then catch a #70 bus to the other side of Fordon. Then it's a short walk to the Fordon station, where I find the ticket office open and purchase my ticket for the first leg of my trip. The train soon arrives from Bydgoszcz Glowna (the main station). This is one of several electric multiple units that venture out to Fordon each day, supplemented by diesel trains between Bydgoszcz Glowna and Chelmza (the service to Chelmza is on the list of lines to be cut). Today the train is made up of ED-72 class EMU #003. This four-car unit is one of the newer EMU's on the PKP, featuring comfortable seats and even a first-class section. It's rather out of place today on the Fordon local. I board, and we are soon on the way. I have a 7-minute connection to my next train at the main station, and when the local is held up at a signal at Bydgoszcz Wschod before entering the Torun-Bydgoszcz main line, I start to worry. We run the rest of the way 5-6 minutes late. As we arrive at the main station, I standing at the door ready to make a dash. To make matters worse, we pull into one of the bay platforms, which is a long way from the center of the platform connecting tunnel. I make it to platform 5 to find my next train waiting. Train #57140-0725 Bydgoszcz Glowna-Wagrowiec (76 km): This train consists of diesel SU45-210 pulling a 3-unit set of double-deck cars. We leave the station 2 minutes late and are on our way. The line to Wagrowiec is single-track. We make fairly good speed, stopping at many little stations along the way. The sun starts to come up a short distance out of Poznan, and it's a brilliant sunrise. Unfortunately, it lasts only a short time before clouds set in for the day. At Szubin, we wait for a meet with train #75131 from Poznan. Pulling out, it is possible to see the right-of-way where the line to Znin headed south. We pull into Wagrowiec on time. The station area features many tracks, a big freight yard, and a roundhouse, reflecting the time when this station was a junction with the Znin-Rogozno Wlkp. line. Today only the Poznan-Bydogszcz line remains in service, the roundhouse is closed, and the freight yard is mostly empty. I have about two hours to kill here, so after taking a few photos, I take a walk around town. At the local market, a woman is selling live carp from a big tank in preparation for the Christmas Eve meal. I walk to the edge of town to inspect the out-of-service line to Znin, and wait to photograph a train from Poznan arriving. This train terminates in Wagrowiec and will form my train to Poznan. Train #66236-1149 Wagrowiec-Poznan Glowny (58 km): My train consists of SU-45 #246 pulling a conventional first-class cloach and a 4-unit set of double-deckers. The train is fairly busy, and at each station we pick up more passengers. Many appear to be students headed for Poznan. We're soon in the industrial suburbs of Poznan, and arrive at the main station on time. As I disembark, I see clouds of steam over the top of a train on a nearby track. I run over as the train pulls out to reveal Pt47 class 2-8-2 #47 having just arrived at the head of a train from Wolsztyn. The engine is cut off to allow a diesel to couple on, and it moves to an adjacent track where I photograph it. Train #7534-1355 Poznan Glowny-Gniezno (51 km): There's no secondary line to my next destination, Gniezno, so it's a run-of-the-mill mainline local. The train features two EN-57 three-car EMU's, and is quite full, with some passengers standing. It quickly starts to empty as we stop at each station along the way. Gniezno is the site of the roundhouse where the PKP does overhauls on the remaining steam locomotives. Today, however, there appears to be no activity. A few derelict locomotives are sitting outside. I have about 45 minutes to kill, so I visit the station restaurant for dinner. Gniezno has one of the last of the old-time station restaurants-no plastic tables, chairs, plates and silverware here-you eat on high tables sitting on stools, and are served on real china! My dinner of a pork cutlet, potatoes, salad and a soft drink comes to 7.20 PLN-about $1.75US. Train #75225-1540 Gniezno-Naklo na Notecia (75 km): It's getting dark as the train pulls into the station. SP42 #247 is pulling three single-level local coaches. We're off on time, and as the train trundles through the darkness, I start to notice that there's no heat on the train. It's a cold night, and by the end of the trip, I'll be glad to get off. The track would seem to be in bad shape, as it feels like we're going no more that 50 km/hr at any point. As the conductor checks tickets, there is a woman following him with a clipboard. From each ticket he reads out the origin station, the fare paid, and some other info. Some sort of a revenue study? I don't know. At Kcynia, we cross the Bydgoszcz-Poznan line that I rode earlier in the day. While we wait, there is a train passing in each direction on that line. We pull into Naklo on time, and I am ready to get off the train and warm up. I find the Naklo station no warmer, and there is no station restaurant for finding some warm tea or coffee. So, I'm glad it's only a short layover until my last train of the day. I spot a piece of paper taped to the ticket window, announcing line cancellations for January 1. Among the lines included is Gniezno-Naklo, the trackage I just covered. Train #8542-1817 Naklo na Notecia-Bydgoszcz Glowna (27 km): Arriving from Pila, this train consists of two EN-57 class three car EMU's. The ride to Bydgoszcz passes quickly, and I am glad for the heat in the car! I step of the train at 1846-11 hours and 48 minutes after my start from Fordon. So ended my excursion. I traveled a total of 301 kilometres. My total rail fare for the day (with a 50% teacher discount) was 18.75PLN, about $4.54US. I hope to get in one or two more trips before the end of the year. With no one knowing what lines will be cut for sure, I'd like to cover those that I can in my area.
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ED72-003 sits at Bydgozcz Fordon, waiting to form the 0658 service to Bydgoszcz Glowna. |
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SU45-210 sits at Szubin, waiting to meet a train from Poznan. This was my train from Bydgoszcz Glowna to Wagrowiec. |
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Another view at Szubin. |
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One of the many brick, German-style stations along the line to Wagrowiec, as seen from the coach window. |
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Wagrowiec still had some active freight traffic. Here wagons are being unloaded on a siding by the station. |
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SU45 runs around its train following arrival from Bydgoszcz. It will take the train back in the afternoon. |
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A non-rail view: live carp being sold in preparation for Christmas. |
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A disappearing scene: a manned level crossing. Here the crossing keeper cranks down the gates in anticipation of the arrival of a train from Poznan. |
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The train from Poznan passes the enter signal for Wagrowiec. |
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SU45-246 will lead my train to Poznan. |
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One of the double-deck coaches on my train to Poznan (kierunek=in the direction of). |
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At Poznan, I was able to see Pt47 #65, having just arrived on a train from Wolsztyn. |
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Some railway men exchange news while waiting for their train in Poznan. |
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EU07-121 on a train at Poznan. This unit features the new headlight arrangement that many locomotives are starting to receive, featuring halogen bulbs. Great for visibility, but not especially visually appealing. |
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My EN-57 to Gniezno waits in bay platform #1a at Poznan. |
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The train I am taking to Gniezno will continue to Torun. |
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At Gniezno, an ET-41 class freight locomotive pauses by the wonderful tower that controls the station. |
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My train to Naklo sits in the station. It's not yet 4 p.m. but a tripod was required due to nightfall! |
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From my coach window on the way to Naklo, I witnessed the passing of two trains at Kcynia on the line between Wagrowiec and Bydgsozcz. |
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At Naklo, a train to Chojnice awaited an evening departure. This line is on the list of lines to be closed January 1. |
Please visit my Polish Train Page for more photographs of Polish railways.
This page created using PhotoPage by John A. Vink.