Branch Line Society tours Poland

AFTER two years of delays and postponements due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Branch Line Society ran a highly successful five-day tour centred on Wrocław in southwestern Poland. As well as several lengthy freight lines, the tour travelled to the rarely visited Polish train testing circuit at Żmigród.

Reflecting the eclectic itinerary, passengers on board the train were from several European countries – the majority being from the UK, Germany and Poland. The tour was operated by Polish charter train specialist Turkol mostly using a variety of Class SM42 diesel locos hired from private freight operators – plus a smaller preserved Class SM30 diesel which is based in Wrocław.

KEITH FENDER The tour was rare passenger work for rebuilt Class SM42 loco No. SM42 2656 which has been rebuilt as Lotos Kolej No. 620 590-1 / 6Dg-181, seen with the tour in Kępno on June 23.