The newest narrow gauge steam railway in Poland

Poland has a number of narrow gauge railways with steam-haulaged, but given the vast size of the country, this is actually far fewer than in smaller places like Austria or Switzerland.

Nevertheless, those railways that do run with tank or tender locomotives usually are quite atmospheric, though in fairness most also tend to lead through vast green fields, characteristic of most of Poland's landscapes, aside from the mountains in the south.

In the flat heartland of Poland, a bit north of Kalsiz and northwest of Lodz, is now the newest steam attraction at the re-opened Zbiersk narrow gauge railway. Best of all, the owner SKPL Shortlines, which also runs other narrow gauge railways and main line passenger trains, imported a historic type Las 0-6-0 tank engine to run the line with steam. This vintage 1950s industrial tank was built in Poland but was later based at heritage railways in Austria and the Czech Republic, without ever being much used there. Now it can be experienced back in its home country.

The following footage along the rural and tranquil Zbiersk railway was made as part of a visit of a British group of enthusiasts there in early May, organized by the Railway Touring Company of Kings Lynn.

Here some footage and impressions of this diminutive little engine with a fairly small water tank and the need to replenish water supplies at every station! Fortunately the local fire brigade was happy to oblige.