Poznań, Wolsztyn / Poland, 3 May 2025
In the late 1980s, Poland was the last country in Europe where main-line steam locomotives were still widely used. The steam engines of Wolsztyn, the last Polish steam workshop, were still hauling freight trains in 2004, a necessity due to the cheap coal and the technical condition of the railway at the time. Since then, Poland's railway system has developed significantly, but Wolsztyn has been preserved to maintain the expertise and support tourism. Today, one or two pairs of public passenger trains are still hauled by steam locomotives almost every day. The depot’s most important event is the annual steam locomotive gala, which attracts participants from several European countries: spectators and, of course, steam locomotives!
Englishman in New York -- From the perspective of the Wolsztyn steam scene, Poznań plays a key role. During the 2024/25 timetable period, a pair of steam-hauled passenger trains runs between Wolsztyn and Poznań on Saturdays, and the nearby major city is also a frequent destination for special trains. It’s only logical, then, for today’s Wolsztyn adventure to begin in Poznań — even if such lucky encounters can’t always be expected. It seems that the retro wave has now reached electric locomotives as well: PKP InterCity’s EU07 regained its beautiful, original livery just a year ago. -- Poznań Glówny, 3 May 2025, 8:35
InterCity Workhorse Turns 60 -- The locomotive of the same type standing in the background has a less distinctive blue livery, but the original yellow front instantly reveals its British origins. The EU07 series was developed from the EU06, which were built in England and are largely identical to the British Class 83 locomotives. Unit 005, the oldest member of the EU07 series was built in 1967, yet it is still entrusted with important duties — at this moment, it's about to depart with an InterCity train to Przemyśl, near the Ukrainian border. -- Poznań Glówny, 3 May 2025, 8:44
Waiting for the Steamer -- Rail enthusiasts are heading to Wolsztyn, making the most of the short time before departure. Some are wearing T-shirts featuring the EP09 locomotive, suggesting it’s a popular type. However, the steam locomotive of the retro passenger train known as 'Cegielski' was missing and only appeared minutes before departure, so the wait for the steam engine continues. -- Poznań Glówny, 3 May 2025, 9:38
On the way to Wolsztyn -- Many guests were expected at today’s steam parade, so even the scheduled trains were doubled. If someone couldn’t get a ticket for the special steam train Ciegelski from Poznań, they could travel on the stylish railcar of the regional railway company, Koleje Wielkopolskie. -- Szreniawa, 3 May 2025, 10:13
Truly Stylish Supporting Cast -- The special train seen in the picture departed from Bydgoszcz and is also heading to Wolsztyn. The era of retro diesel locomotives and classic passenger coaches with pull-down windows is also part of the past, but many of us still remember it clearly. They're not the stars of the show, but they play a vital and elegant role in bringing visitors to the steam festival. -- Szreniawa, 3 May 2025, 10:30
Enough on Any Other Day -- Wolsztyn's main attraction is the regularly running steam-hauled passenger train, which makes a round trip to Zbąszynek on weekdays and to Poznań on Saturdays. Two coaches aren’t much, but they’re usually enough to accommodate the few passengers who use it. On the day of the steam festival, however, two coaches are far from sufficient, especially as organized groups quickly snapped up all the tickets. Another curious detail: the steam locomotive on today’s special service, considered one of the highlights of the event, was running in reverse orientation. -- Rakoniewice, 3 May 2025, 12:06
A War Locomotive Finds Peace -- Alongside the operational steam locomotives, Wolsztyn also features some unique compositions. The Ty43 series is based on the German BR 42 class, a group of simplified, high-performance steam locomotives built during World War II as part of the so-called “war locomotive” program. The locomotive seen in the picture was assembled by Cegielski, Poznań, after the war, using parts left behind by the Germans. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 12:47
The Real Regio Tramp -- The steam parade in Wolsztyn is unique in the sense that it doesn’t take place in a closed-off area, but rather at a fully operational station that sees regular, everyday train traffic. Before the parade can begin, the arrival of the “normal” trains must be awaited. This clumsy-looking railbus, equipped with single-axle bogies, is the Regio Tramp (this is its real name, seriously!), just arriving from Leszno. It would hardly attract this much attention if it didn’t have to pass in front of the crowd waiting for the steam locomotives. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 13:07
Everyone in Position, Let the Show Begin! -- Admission is required for the museum and the VIP grandstand, but the parade can be enjoyed for free from behind the regular barriers. Due to the large crowds and closed level crossings, moving around is almost impossible, but the south side of the crossing is one of the best spots to be. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 13:27
The Participants Are Arriving -- They’re still just shunting for now, but the steam engines are already here! Leading the way is locomotive no. 41 1114 from the Lausitzer Dampflok Club, based in Cottbus. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 13:30
The Fabulous Potato Beetle -- The crowd, hungry for the violence of smoke and steam whistles, may have groaned a little when the popular, Fablok-made diesel locomotive (nicknamed "the potato beetle") rolled in. But truth be told, it’s also a magnificent sight. Space had to be made at the station for the steam engines, and that meant a bit more shunting. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 13:52
A Car Between the Closed Barriers? -- Surely, the strict security guards wouldn’t have let just any car past the barriers. This steel-wheeled Warszawa arrived on the tracks, the crew is now turning it around for the return journey. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 13:59
Energie 507 from Luxembourg -- Finally, the show began. This KDL7-type steam locomotive was built in 1946 in Belgium, based on German designs. The name “Energie” comes from its manufacturer, the “Energie” company of Marcinelle. From 1952 to 1970, the locomotive was in service at a coking plant in Zeebrugge, Belgium. After being scrapped, it was discovered at a scrap dealer in 2004, then restored and returned to operation in 2009 as part of the collection at Minett Park Fond-de-Gras open-air museum in Luxembourg. Following a longer period of repairs, it has been operational again since 2023. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 14:13
41 1144 from Germany -- Railway enthusiast associations from the neighboring country are regular visitors to the Wolsztyn Steam Parade. The Lausitzer Dampflok Club’s special train arrived this morning from Cottbus and will return in the late afternoon after the parade. The train was hauled by the impressive 41 1144 locomotive, which also made an appearance in the parade for the public to admire. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 14:14
A Real Central European Veteran -- The steam locomotive no. 555.0153 arrived from the Czech Republic and belongs to the Klub Historie Kolejové Dopravy (KHKD) in Prague. Throughout its career, it has operated in several countries. Built in 1944 as a wartime locomotive at the Floridsdorf locomotive works near Vienna, it was initially delivered to the Czechoslovak State Railways. In 1960, it was transferred to the Kreka coal mines in Bosnia, where it remained in service until 1990. The Austrian organization ÖSEK later rescued the locomotive from Bosnia, and in 2001 it was handed over to the club in Prague. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 14:31
Pt47-65, the Local Hero -- With a top speed of 110 km/h and a weight of 178.4 tons, the Pt47 was the fastest and heaviest locomotive at today’s parade. It was primarily used to haul fast and heavy passenger trains on demanding routes, such as between Cracow and Krynica. The locomotive is based at the Wolsztyn roundhouse and, when not on special assignments elsewhere, it can also be seen hauling regular passenger trains. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 14:32
Ferrum 47 from the Metallic Industry -- With its modest size, it was never destined to be a mainline hero, but in industry, especially in the metallurgy sector with its enormous transport demands, there was a strong need for reliable locomotives. Originally classified as a T3A series locomotive, it was built at the Polish locomotive works in Chrzanów. Before its preservation, it served on the industrial railway networks of the steelworks in Kraków and Świętochłowice in Silesia. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 14:32
Full Steam Ahead -- At the end of the parade, all six locomotives were coupled together and, with maximum steam, smoke, and whistles, they passed in front of the gathered enthusiasts in a spectacular finale. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 14:46
Greta Thunberg Would Furiously Demand the Show Be Shut Down -- Not that it mattered, as the event ended with this mighty six-engine formation anyway. The rear three large locomotives contributed heavily to the smoke output, accompanied by such a deafening barrage of whistle blasts that even crying children couldn’t be heard. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 14:46
Local Train to Kębłowo -- Part of the festival was a steam-powered shuttle service between Wolsztyn and the nearby village of Kębłowo. The train ran twice on Friday and four times today on this otherwise unused branch line. It would have been a great place for photos too but Wolsztyn and its surroundings offer so many attractions during the festival that it’s simply impossible to keep up with everything. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 16:10
Like a delightfully busy model railway -- On the overpass above the station, the German tourists were talking about model railways. Perhaps about their own, or perhaps about the scene unfolding before us, which looked exactly like something a model railroader would have set up. In the classic railway station setting, rows of traditional small-town buildings line the scene, while on the tracks, impeccably presented, slightly colorful trains stand, the finest pieces in a modeler's collection. The beautiful SU45 also arrived with a special train and after the steam show, soon depart back to Wrocław. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 16:26
Classic loco in modern paintwork -- At the Wolsztyn event, Polregio demonstrated that it doesn't just rely on multiple units, but traces of classic branch line diesel traction still exist within the company. The modern passenger coaches, gleaming in Polregio's livery, were displayed at the company's stand during the day, but are now preparing for the return journey. The SM and SU42 locomotives typically spend the summer season on the Baltic Sea coast, hauling double-decker trains between Gdynia and Hel. -- Wolsztyn, 3 May 2025, 16:55
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