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Catch scheduled Polish steam while you still can

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THIS year is likely to be the last featuring a full scheduled steam service in Poland.

The services from Wolsztyn to Poznan and Leszno are said to be the last ‘real’ timetabled steam services in the world but government financial cutbacks mean that in 2020 a limited scheduled service is the most likely option.

Ol49-69 sits in Wolsztyn station heating the stock before hauling the first steam train of 2019, the 6.28am to Poznan, on Saturday, January 19. Note the smoke deflectors are now adorned with an Aborigine-like pattern. TOMASZ OPASKA

Meanwhile, the regional government has funded 35,000 miles of scheduled steam services for 2019.
However, this year will be the last the award-winning British-led Wolsztyn Experience can offer its footplate courses, as an irregular scheduled operation would be difficult to administer.

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Furthermore, the well-loved but now aged footplate crews, of which several are only employed by the depot on a part-time basis, will have to retire.

The Wolsztyn Experience footplate courses have operated since 1996 and have been the world’s leading courses of their type.

Read more in Issue 251 of HR – on sale now!

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