OUR STORY STARTS FROM WARSAW
We took the 06.25 train from Warsaw to Poznan: After passing the Ursus Tractor Factory on the left hand side we drifted into the polish countryside, soon to be handed a nice complimentary mug of coffee and a biscuit at our seats. Then at just after 9.am we arrived in Pozana. So time for a spot of breakfast and a short tour of the city. Passing the long distance bus station we noted that no fewer that ten companies run buses to London from Poznan so busy is this that two different companies leave @17.00 and 17.05 for London, we Perfer to fly,
From Poznan to Wolsztyn is almost two hours by train normally two of which are steam operated, ours was not in fact it was a very new red tram like affair which I think may only last two/five years. So as you guessed not the best of train rides!
Approaching Wolsztyn the train crosses over the track to Leszno via a rail bridge which seems a bit odd as there is now probably less than a dozen trains running on both lines on a busy day, then on pass the loco sheds and a few rows of sleeping steam locos most of which have slept for a number of years. Passing the well dated signalling system and onto platform 3, where we alighted, then pass the delightful subway, which is closed. So it is across the rail line, to the small waiting room/ticket hall with the delightful arrivals/departures board. Five destinations are marked up but really there is only three. On the timetable each time as at least one reference beside it, so finding out which runs and when is a delight in its self. The best of which we are told translate as (runs until cancelled) we counted at least 18 sleeping steam locos near the station, plus the working locos which are kept in the loco shed
For our stay we have picked the sports hotel
http://www.osir.wolsztyn.pl/hotel.html a two-pound taxi ride brings us to a small town sports complete which has a number of rooms above. (The hotel is near to one of the two lakes in town and next to the open-air museum).
Because of our good looks we receive a 10% discount, which brings the price down to less than £13 a night for a twin room (I think the discount may have been because of the season and six nights, but that does not sound as nice! So it is our good looks.)
The Rail Sheds also has a museum, bar, and an hotel (I think this hotel may leave a little to be desired for the non rail buffs)
After a quick wash, it’s off to explore! A cycle/footpath takes us along the side of the rail track to the town. Crossing a small bridge we hear a train coming. So out with the camera to catch a few shots of a Diesel Returning From Zbaszyh almost immediately followed by a steamer shunting after returning form Poznan not bad timing as there is only two trains a day to Zbaszyh and two steamers to Poznan.
Wolsztyn is a very small town there are the important things there a good bakers and a couple of supermarkets a bus station with an equally difficult timetable.
While here we made two excursions one by the 08.47 to Leszno by steam and back at 14.30 by diesel (the 15.30 is normally steam) And to Zielona Gora by bus Sorry both Leszno and Zielona Gora is not so exciting. Zielona Gora has an typical Polish old town square with a few coloured houses It also has a Tesco and a Carrefour, hypermarkets, Plus lidl’s, and Netto supermarkets, (some economists say that in less that ten years 80% of the worlds food will be sold by just five supermarket chains! not so go for customers, even worse for suppliers but that's another story)
It is possible to visit the Steam sheds and the tickets are just few coins. So we picked the time of our visit carefully, just before the two steamers where due to came home sadly only one was working that day, on the day we visited there was a few British men there on steam train driving courses. One of the polish drivers demanded that Diana ride on the loco has it drove onto the turntable and in to the shed. She was a little pleased at that! So it was a very pleasant visit for both of us.
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