Steam in Poland

Enjoy the experience of Polish main line and narrow gauge steam, including the Wolsztyn gala weekend and numerous steam railways ‘off the beaten track’ as key attractions.

• Conveniently based in the historic city of Poznan throughout, you make journeys by main line steam train and visit five different narrow gauge railways for private charters with historic steam locomotives and attractive ‘fresh air’ coaches.
• Experience the entertaining showmanship and bustle of the famous Wolsztyn steam gala, with visiting international locomotives and home fleet all in steam, including main line excursions, parallel running and yard races.
• Experience the narrow gauge railways at Wyrzyska, Maltanka, Sroda Wielkopolska, Sochaczew and Nowi Dwor Gdanski, including the use of the famed Px48 tender locomotives and Polish-built tank engines, reaching these railways from
  Poznan with trips on loco-hauled PKP Intercity trains.
• Enjoy the history, culture and tramways of Poznan at a centrally located hotel and complimentary public transport
  rover ticket.
  

Thursday 1st May
Arrive in Poznan

You fly non-stop from London to Poznan in Western Poland. You are based at a centrally located hotel in Poznan for the entire tour. You will be given a complimentary public transport ticket for use on the extensive tram network for all days. In the evening there’s a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Friday 2nd May
Main line excursion to Wolsztyn
Today you make a first visit to Poland’s most famous steam town. Established in 1886, the Wolsztyn roundhouse is located at the junction of two lines and renown as the last standard gauge ‘Plandampf’ depot in Europe.
Depending on locomotive availability on the eve of the festival, your main line trip from Zbąszynek or Leszno to Wolsztyn will either be hauled by a Class Pt47 or Ol49 tender locomotive or pulled by a vintage centre cab diesel. In either case, the olive green compartment coaches feature drop down windows and allow a travel experience like in the 1970s. You have lunch in Wolsztyn. In the late afternoon you return by train to Poznan and may enjoy some free time to explore the city. (B L)

Saturday 3rd May and Sunday 4th May
Steam locomotive parade and festival in Wolsztyn
These two days are entirely dedicated to the famous steam locomotive parade in Wolsztyn, which is one of the premier steam galas in Continental Europe. The event features the active home fleet as well as numerous guest locomotives from around Poland and neighbouring countries. It will be possible to travel on the regular ‘Plandampf’ trains as well as the festival specials. The festival is an exciting hive of activity, with an atmosphere unique in Europe. It includes the big steam parade as well as yard races with the crews laying on fine showmanship. For non-enthusiast partners there is the option to stay in Poznan on Sunday and enjoy a cultural programme with museums and galleries. On both days there is an evening meal back at the hotel in Poznan. (B D)

Monday 5th May
Steam at the Wyrzyska narrow gauge railway
After breakfast you visit one of Poland’s best kept secrets and a real hidden gem. The Wyrzyska Kolejka Powiatowa in Białośliwie is a delightful field railway with 600 mm (2 foot) gauge and boasts attractive steam power.
A hard-working tank engine will haul your private charter train for the full round-trip through the green fields of Greater Poland (Wielkopolska), stopping for photos and run-pasts along the way. Lunch is included today and you make the roundtrip from Poznan via Piła to Białośliwie by PKP IC and Polregio trains. (B L)

Tuesday 6th May
Maltanka Park Railway and heritage tramway in Poznan
Today you stay locally in Poznan and visit the 3.8 km long Park Railway at Maltanka. The line is located in the east of the city, next to a large lake and you will travel on a private charter train hauled by a resident steam locomotive.
After some free time for the afternoon, you meet again for a private sightseeing tour of the city by vintage tramway, covering some ‘rare track’ that cannot be covered in regular service. (B)

Wednesday 7th May
Narrow gauge railway at Nowy Dwór Gdański
In the morning you take a loco-hauled PKP Intercity train from Poznan north to Tczew, near the Baltic Sea. From there you have a short coach transfer to the rural narrow gauge railway at Nowy Dwor Gdanski. This 750mm line has a T-shaped network and is unique, as it is actually located below sea level in scenery that is very much reminiscent of the Netherlands, with canals, swing bridges and irrigated fields. The Żuławska narrow gauge railway is another best kept secret in Poland and truly idyllic.
You will have a private charter train hauled by a classic diesel locomotive and formed of attractive ‘fresh air’ half-open coaches that allow superb views of the passing countryside. You travel over the entire T-shaped network of the railway, starting in Nowy Dwor Gdanski and finishing in Sztutowo This is the only time of the year when such a private event with a loco-hauled charter train. Lunch is included today. In the late afternoon you return to Tczew and then take another Intercity train back to Poznan.
(B L)

Thursday 8th May
Narrow gauge railway at Sochaczew
In the morning you take another loco-hauled PKP Intercity train east to Sochaczew. This is the site of another 750mm gauge railway. On arrival you first visit the museum collection and see a collection of preserved narrow gauge steam locomotives, before enjoying a private charter train over the full length of the line to Wilcze Tułowskie. Your private charter will be hauled by a vintage locomotive from the local pool. The train will be formed of enclosed and fresh air coaches and pause for run-pasts along the way. Lunch is included. In the late afternoon you return to Poznan by PKP Intercity train. (B L)

Friday 9th May
Steam at Sroda Wielkopolska
Another tour highlight is the visit to the narrow gauge railway at Sroda Wielkopolska, southeast of Poznan. This railway boasts the famed and powerful Px48 postwar tender locomotives, which were built in great numbers from 1948 onwards. You have a private charter train from the sugar mill at Sroda to the rural terminus at Zaniemyśl, once again pausing for photos and run-pasts with the impressive 0-8-0 tender locomotive along the way. A lunch is once again provided, before you return to Poznan by main line train in the afternoon. (B L)

Saturday 10th May
Main line tour on re-opened mountainous lines in Lower Silesia
Today you have an scenic main line charter train with vintage diesel traction on the panoramic hilly lines of Lower Silesia. You first make the short transfer by PKP IC train from Poznan to Wroclaw, before boarding your private charter hauled by the green retro diesel locomotive SU45-079. Restored to immaculate condition, this machine will haul your train south towards the Czech border on the recently reopened main line routes to Swidnica and Jedlina Zdroj.
You make a large circular round-trip for the afternoon and eventually end up again at Wroclaw Glowny, one of the finest large railway stations in Poland. From there you return by Intercity train to Poznan. (B L)

Sunday 11th May
Day at leisure in Poznan
After a busy week of touring around Poland and discovering so many unique railway lines and attractions, this day is dedicated to relaxing in Poznan and enjoying all the attractive features the city has to offer. In the evening there’s a farewell dinner at the hotel (B D)

Monday 12th May
Return to London
The time has come to say farewell to Poland, as you have a direct flight from Poznan back to London. (B)