Sudety 2001

From February 8 - 11, 2001, a series of steam excursions collectively called "Sudety 2001" operated on lines in the Sudety Mountains in Southwestern Poland. The specials were powered by Ty45-20 from the depot at Jaworzyna Slaska. The lines covered were:

• Day 1—Marcziszow-Wojcieszow Gorny-Marcziszow-Lubawka-Kamienna Gora-Sedzislaw-Kamienna Gora-Sedzislaw
• Day 2—Walbrzych Glowny-Mieroszow-Walbrzych Glowny
• Day 3—Walbrzych Glowny-Klodzko Glowne
• Day 4—Klodzko Glowne-Walbrzych Glowne (I was not on this trip.)

If you're interested, there is a map showing the lines travelled.

	Ty45-20 stands by the station in Wojcieszow Gorny. The train turned here although the branch once continued to Jerzmanice Zdroj.
	The special train departs Wojcieszow Gorny heading for Marciszow.
	Southbound at Plonina, the train pauses at the station.
	Having reached Marciszow, the train then headed south for Lubawka. Here it approaches the junction at Kruzyn.
	The Ty45 passes the signal box at Kruzyn. This box controls the triangle allowing traffic from Lubawka to head west to Marciszow or east to Sedzislaw.
	At Kamienna Gora, we paused for a while in front of the little-used station building.
	South of Blazkowa, farms, forests and hills were the norm.
	At the same location, Ty45-20 lays down a nice trail of steam.
	The massive station building at Lubawka is perhaps 20% occupied. Most of the building is derelict, with the interior in far worse shape than you might expect from this exterior photo.
	After returning from Lubawaka, we travelled the east leg of the Kruzyn triangle. The train is seen here returning from Sedzislaw to Kruzyn.
	On this stretch of line, we passed a northbound freight train with cars having come from the Czech Republic.
	After our second return to Sedzislaw, our special train was hauled to Walbrzych Glowny for the night behind ET21-422.
	Day 2 started from Walbrzych Glowny, with the train here preparing for its morning departure for Mieroszow.
	At Kuznice, the southbound train to Mieroszow passes a church on a nice curve.
	The southbound trip didn't take long, and we were soon at Mieroszow. We had several hours before our return to Walbrzych.
	A few passing freight and passenger trains helped fill the time. Here, two SP32's frame our steam train. The locomotive on the left is pushing the rear of a southbound freight. The locomotive on the right is leading #251 from the Czech Republic.
	The line to Mieroszow continues into the Czech Republic, and freight and passenger trains run through. Here a freight from the CR arrives as another prepares to head south.
	When it was finally time to head north, we briefly had some sun which made for some nice photo stops north of Mieroszow.
	The train leaves the tunnel travelling northbound, just north of the station at Unislaw Slaski.
	On Day 3, the special train travelled from Walbrzych Glowny to Klodzko Glowne. Here, the train departs Walbrzych on the high bridge.
	At Jedlina Zdroj, we had some time for photos while waiting for a scheduled passenger train.
	Ty45-20 exits one of the twin tunnels located north of Gluszyca.
	Four days of taking photos can do wonders for the fitness of photographers!
	Many of the station buildings we saw along the way were locked up and unused. This is the station at Gluszyce Gorna.
	South of Gluszyce Gorna, we passed a former crossing house now used as a private residence.
	The high, curving bridge at Luwidkowice Klodzkie was most impressive...
	...especially when viewed from an open flat wagon!
	The same bridge, as viewed from a different angle.
	At Zdrojowisko we crossed another bridge, although not as long nor high. This central section of the line is single-track.
	We arrived in Nowa Ruda to find an empty freight yard.
	North of Scinawka Srednia we found this nice curve.
	The station at Scinawka Srednia was typical of many on this line.
	Our Ty45 certainly brings back memories for this Scinawka Srednia resident.
	On Day 4, I opted to leave the steam trip and instead visit some endangered lines in the Klodzko area. The early-morning frost is visible as I ride towards Kudowa Zdroj.
	The train to Kudowa Zdroj carried a sleeping car and was headed by an SP32 diesel.
	Nearing Kudowa, we passed through the line's sole tunnel.
	Shortly after the tunnel, there is a nice, curving viaduct.
	Kudowa Zdroj is a stub-end terminal, so the locomotive from the previous train couples on to lead the return working.
	A Tkt48 (no number could be found) sits on a side track, a reminder of the days not too long ago when such locomotives worked the trains to Kudowa.
	After returning to Klodzko Glowne, the next train to ride was going up the branch to Stronie Slaskie.
	The Stronie line was not as scenic or hilly as the line to Kudowa, but still offered some nice vistas.
	At Stronie, the locomotive runs around and leads the same set of equipment back to Klodzko.
	The Stronie station still has a working ticket office and waiting room.
	The Stronie yard also contains a reminder of the steam days--an ash pit and water column.
	The Klodzko-Stronie line is marked with a "G" in the timetable, meaning the service could be withdrawn at any time.
	Leaving Klodzko for Wroclaw, the train passed the old Klodzko locomotive depot. Just ten years ago this place was alive with steam!