Steam running in parallel - on the Berlin-Warsaw main line!
A high-speed parallel run by two steam locomotives on the Berlin-Warsaw main line will be the spectacular highlight of Wolsztyn shed’s annual parade this spring. Up to ten locomotives could attend the event on April 30, including visitors from the Czech Republic and Germany, and even a British guest is a possibility if transport costs can be met. Native locomotives will include Wolsztynbased ‘Ol49’ 2-6-2s Nos. 59, which returned to traffic on December 1 after overhaul at Leszno works, and 69. The latter, the depot’s sole working engine in recent years, has itself gone to Leszno for an intermediate overhaul, but is expected to return in time for the parade. This pair are the likely motive power for the parallel run on May 1, which will see them haul consecutive specials along the single-track line from Wolsztyn to the former Polish border station of Zbaszyn, before going neck-and-neck for almost five miles along the electrified Berlin-Warsaw main line to Zbaszynek. Wolsztyn Experience founder Howard Jones said that to his knowledge, this will be the first parallel steam run in Poland “for any great distance - although we used to do it every day between Wolsztyn station and the level crossing!” It is hoped that a third Wolsztyn engine - ‘Pt47’ 2-8-2 No. 65 - could be in the parade if its overhaul at Chabowka Heritage Park is completed in time. The latter preservation centre’s unique ‘OKz32’ 2-10-2T No. 2 and ‘TKt48’ 2-8-2T No. 191 are also on the guest list, along with Jaworzyna Slaska museum’s ‘TKt48’ No. 18, and Wroclaw-based ‘TKh’ 0-6-0T No. 05353. Following the parallel runs, Polish railtour operator Turkol will operate specials from Wolsztyn on May 2/3, while the parade will be preceded by two days of timetabled steam operation on April 28/29. For more on Wolsztyn, see pages 64-70.