Abandoned Narrow Gauge in Poland Pt2 - Exploring the Disused Smigiel Railway

Hello everyone,
Today is Part 2 looking at the abandoned section of the Smigiel railway in Poland as Lawrie and James head out to explore the disused railway.
A video featuring -
Lawrie - Presenter, excited to be exploring a genuinely abandoned line
James - Cameraman, once again on Lawrie wrangling duties.
An edit by Lawrie.
Footage of transporter wagons supplied by Bob Gibbens and used with permission.
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[@TheHatMusic]

This is such a sad sight. It would be wonderful if the line could be extended and run as a heritage route. Hope springs eternal

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

Unfortunately, y'really can't. Poland is a relatively poor country when you think about it, a lot of the NG railways are hanging on by different lengths of thread, some doing better than others.

[@Amtrak09]

Your footage of the lines abandoned and previously when they were still in operation will be historic once more is preserved. Especially the footage of it in operation in 2010.

[@mateusz_paulus]

Like always interesting video! That track on 2:35 was used last time during railway jubilee in September 2023. I've heard that there are sleepers replacing on route to Nowa Wieś. And about those bridge works, they are going to build a cycle path.

[@courtneyhirsh2271]

Was there in 2008.alot of fun driving the train.PKP people very friendly and helpful

[@vonyinzer]

Laurie, you so need to get over to the US and check out the East Broad Top, and their preservation efforts, I think your viewers would love the story.

[@paluszek28]

Bardzo dziękuję za pokazanie linii wąskotorowej i w jakim jest teraz stanie. Dziękuję też za pokazanie nadziei, że może odbudują do stanu, aby kiedyś można było przejechać się kolejką z parowozem autentycznym z epoki, jeśli będą entuzjaści to i wszystko może się udać. Pozdrawiam.

[@stachukorkowski9627]

Póki co są plany żeby w śladzie kolejki powstała ścieżka rowerowa Sama kolej zostanie pewnie tylko na krótkim szlaku

[@TrainsRKool1999]

As an American, I adore these little railways in Europe, it’s such a shame to see this line abandon, because it’s so flipping cool!!! Really wish it would be restored!!! Happy to see it wasn’t completely ripped upped. I’ll give ya lots of points Germany

[@crannogbeag]

There is at least one railway line in Ireland that is unused, overgrown but still there. Some of the lines closed later on were left in situ, and are still owned by Iarnród Éireann. Of the ones I know of, the Athlone to Mullingar line has been turned into a greenway (but the rails are still there alongside), the Foynes branch in Limerick is being rebuilt for running again, leaving the Athenry to Claremorris as the only line still untouched that I know of. For now anyway, there has been some plan announced, whenever that actually happens.

[@apc108]

There are struggles all over Poland to keep some of these lines clear and ready to operate one day. Some are working as heritage railways of course. Many are not. Are you familiar with the people in Ozorkow trying to re-open the line to Krosniewice? They are the last survivors of the Kujawy network. Every year, they fix bits of track and try and cut back the weeds. This 750mm network is interesting as it doesn't require huge infrastructure on the ground. Rather than looking to the past, I'd suggest there are lessons for the future. There is some attempt in the UK, which seems sadly to have hit some turbulence, to establish a light rail commuter system in Coventry. The thing that didn't exist in the last century was reliable battery power. Aside from steam being a dirty technology, the LXD 2 diesels that ran all over Poland were also dirty and harmful for the environment. I think there is a future for light rail, quite possibly narrow gauge, running on lithium batteries and whatever technology comes along next. Charged by the sun? Why not? There are fields of solar panels all over the place. Have one at each end of the track to charge the locomotives. Someone needs to re-think railways from basic principles, thinking from the ground up, from the rails themselves, to motive power, signalling etc. We need to look towards a time when personal vehicles will become less feasible, especially those that use hydrocarbons. The lessons from these networks in Poland is that they worked for local communities. You can imagine some sort of goods network too, which brings wagons full of pallets to stores and wholesalers along the way. No doubt there will still be long distance trunk lines, but with careful design and planning there can be an enormous network for passengers and goods at a much reduced cost, such as there was in Poland. Surely some technical transport executive in the EU must be thinking about this?

[@mercilessmage7300]

Very interesting content Laurie. Thanks for uploading the videos.

[@bentullett6068]

Its amazing how vast the European narrow gauge railways were, especially in Poland. Talking of abandoned railways how is the one in Scotland going.

[@alfrancisnh]

Another amazing and informative video!!! Great work all!!!! Thank you!

[@groenekever]

We can do 2 abandoned lines in the Netherlands

[@sawyerawr5783]

If you want a full system that's just in situ like that...I'd recommend checking out the East Broad Top in the US. Same sort of thing, basically: company closed up shop one night, thinking they'd be back in the morning, and never returned. to the point there were even half-machined parts still on the lathes. Like this setup, there is work being done to reopen the line...it's actually on it's 3rd life now, which is amazing.

[@the_retag]

Tge ebt is going strong. They're already restoring the second steamer and massive amounts of track and facilities

[@thefishmanisa]

Check out the intersection of James and William St, Devonport, Tasmania, Australia. We run 4 trains a day through a roundabout

[@thomascoulson6984]

I live in Hobart and have driven through Devonport every now and then and it still amazes me

[@EpicPuma]

11:45 Blenheim and Kumara Junction in New Zealand have exactly that situation on reasonaly busy roads

[@lmm]

That's awesome

[@stued9329]

these are really cool videos!

[@trainswithnickyt]

I'm sad, no "my precious" references at all

[@bosz112]

The works at the end of the line are turning it into bicycle path.

[@lmm]

Oh really? That's so disappointing

[@southern207hobbies]

Lorry you need to come see the American east broad top rr

[@freighttrain201]

This is a sad sight yes. Look up Vancouver Island - Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway in British Columbia Canada. It is in the same shape as this railway and is about to be lost forever if the Government does not start allocating some money soon.

[@jpsholland]

Worth to restore the line and ride steam on it.

[@MyFabian94]

I took a shot for every "in situ". I have died.

[@NathanielKempson]

Not many people know this railway was also known as the Gollum railway too..................................................

[@theaveragegameyt]

Go to sweden skåne there is an abandoned railways from malmö to simrishamn via staffanstorp i live in staffanstorp

[@theaveragegameyt]

sv.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staffanstorpsbanan

[@Lillstisse661]

Or Dalarna, Inlandsbanan Filipstad-Mora. Abandoned but still traversable as bicycle drasines travel there and can be rented.

[@Max-dn3zn]

quick question are you coming to the west Somerset railway gala in may or the event in wolstyn Poland also this may?

[@jbhtrams]

What gauge is it. Looks like 2'6" (750mm). There must be several small Rustons you could borrow to try your luck at riding it???

[@fishw]

If 2ft....take Prince! Or a Baby Hunslet, be funny to see something so small chuffing along and bounce about

[@ukaszwalczak1154]

2ft 5in gauge, if you w e r e to take Prince, or any 2ft gauge loco to Poland, they'd still be towered over by the resident locos, they're giant for basically no reason lol

[@VintageRenewed]

How long is that the full railway

[@EMEME27655]

Try and build a littel wagon with a moter a to ride on the railway

[@matthewesler8379]

Need to saved

[@associatedblacksheepandmisfits]

Needs a speeder 😊

[@KedarZS]

I am very afraid that those three bridges are being renewed are nkt going to be preserved for future reopen line, or to leave as heritage. I am 99,99% sure, those bridges (and the whole abandoned line) are going to be cycling road. It is disease of all local authorities, where ever are some abandoned railways (doesn't matter standard or narrow gauge) - they are going to place cycling roads at old track bed...

[@lmm]

Yes, I'd seen that mentioned elsewhere. That's a crying shame.