Steam in Poland

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

• Conveniently based in the historic city of Poznan throughout, you make journeys by main line steam train and visit four different narrow gauge railways for private charters with historic steam locomotives and attractive ‘fresh air’ coaches.
• Experience the entertaining showmanship and epic bustle of the famous Wolsztyn steam gala, with visiting international locomotives and home fleet all in steam, including main line excursions, parallel running and fun yard races.
• Ride the narrow gauge railways at Maltanka, Sochaczew, Znin and Zbiersk, including the newly launched Las steam locomotive at the industrial railway in Zbiersk.
• Take advantage of your own private main line charter train and vintage diesel haulage to travel over the most scenic mountain railway of Lower Silesia and several of the region’s re-opened railways.
• Enjoy the history, culture and tramways of Poznan at a centrally located quality hotel and complimentary public transport rover ticket.

Friday 1 May

Arrive to Poznan

You fly non-stop from London to Poznan in Western Poland. You are based at a centrally located quality 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. You may use the remaining free time today to make a first exploration of the city and the tram network. In the evening there’s a welcome dinner at a nice brew house in the Old Town on the main market square. (D) 

Saturday 2 May

30th Anniversary Steam Locomotive Parade and Steam Festival in Wolsztyn 

Today is entirely dedicated to the famous steam locomotive parade in Wolsztyn, which is one of the premier steam galas in Continental Europe and this year will see a larger than usual programme in celebration of its 30th anniversary. 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 steam-hauled on the special festival excursion trains and take pictures as well. The festival is an exciting hive of activity, with an atmosphere unique in Europe. It includes the big steam parade as well as individual loco presentation, with the crews laying on fine showmanship. Typically the steam-hauled excursion trains then run on one or two of the short branch lines around Wolsztyn. (B)

Sunday 3 May

Narrow gauge steam at the Zbiersk industrial railway

This noteworthy industrial steam railway near Lodz is the latest narrow gauge railway in Poland to introduce steam traction, thanks to the acquisition of an 0-6-0 ‘Las’ type tank engine. Aboard a private charter train, you will be able to travel the length of the line and take pictures of the industrial tank engine in the matching setting. A hearty lunch is also served at a local restaurant. After the exciting round-trip at Zbiersk, you return to Poznan. (B L)

Monday 4 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. Should the overhaul of the green Borsig tender locomotive from 1925 be completed in time, you will enjoy steam haulage, otherwise a trip with one of the classic, rod-driven diesel locomotives from the mid 20th century. Later you will also have a lovely sightseeing tour of the city on a private charter trip aboard one of Poznan’s historic trams. (B)

Tuesday 5 May

Main line ‘Plandampf’ at Wolsztyn

Today you return 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. After taking a KW service train from Poznan to Wolsztyn and enjoying a hearty Polish lunch at a stylish local restaurant, you are hauled by the home fleet’s stalwart Pt47 or Ol49 tender locomotive either from Wolsztyn to Zbąszynek or to Leszno. The olive green compartment coaches feature drop down windows and allow a travel experience like in the 1970s. After this trip back in time and ample picture-taking opportunities to record the moment, you return on a PKP Intercity train to Poznan. (B L)

Wednesday 6 May

Narrow gauge steam at Sochaczew

In the morning you take another loco-hauled PKP Intercity train east to Sochaczew. This is the site of another 750 mm gauge railway. On arrival you first visit the museum collection and see the largest collection of preserved narrow gauge steam locomotives in Poland, before enjoying a private charter train over the full length of the line to Wilcze Tułowskie. The signature attraction of the railway is the distinct 1920s type Px29 0-8-0 tender locomotive. Indeed your private charter will be hauled by Px29-1704 from 1929, pulling you through rural countryside to a scenic forest terminus for an al-fresco lunch. After photo stops and run-pasts, you return to Sochaczew in the late afternoon, before returning to Poznan by PKP Intercity train. (B L)

Thursday 7 May

Rural narrow gauge railway at Znin

Today you visit one of Poland’s most charming and bucolic narrow gauge railways, yet one that is no longer connected to the main line railway network and hence requires a 1-hour transfer by coach from Poznan. Located in the provincial town of Znin, the namesake narrow gauge railway runs with rod-drive classic diesel locomotives past idyllic ponds and serves a large archeological museum along the way. It also calls at Wenecia, where there is one of the largest narrow gauge steam locomotive collections in Poland, which you will be able to visit. After a welcome lunch at a countryside inn, you return by coach to Poznan in the late afternoon. (B L)

Friday 8 May

Main line tour on re-opened mountainous lines in Lower Silesia

Today you have a 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 large and loud green retro diesel locomotive SU45-079. Restored to immaculate mint condition, this massive 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)



Saturday 9 May

Return to London

The time has come to say ‘Do widzenia’ to Poland, as you have a direct flight from Poznan back to London. (B)