Poland (April 2006)

The Bromberger and Wirsitzer Narrow Gauge Railway: At the end of the 19th century in the east of Germany several 600 mm narrow gauge networks were erected. Beneath the famous Mecklenburg-Pommersche Schmalspuhrbahn (MPSB) the largest network was existing in Western Prussia near Bromberg (Bydgoscz). The first line of the Wirsitzer Kreisbahn was build in 1895 from Weissenhoehe (Białośliwie) to Lobsens (Łobżenica) with a length of 30 km. The total length of the completed Wirsitz' network was 167 km. At the same time the Bromberger Kreisbahn was starting to create it's own network with a length of 105 km east of Wirsitz' network. Connected by a link line at Gumnowitz (Gumnowice) the united network became the largest 600 mm gauge network in Middle Europe. The most important building was the large viaduct over the river Brahe (Brda) near Crone (Koronowo) with a length of 120 m.

After WW2 (like already after WW1) the network became Polish and came under the control of the government in 1949. The network was reduced in the 60s by closing down the lines around Bydgoszcz (Bromberg). The surviving lines had still a length of more than 150 km and were under traffic until the total close down in 1993. The passenger services already ended in 1992. In September 1992 a German steam tour operator organized a final journey with two steam-hauled special trains on the network - some pictures of this trip you can see follow…

Tx-1112 at Nieżychowo Zakłady Przemysłowe junction with a train to Czajcze.		Tx-1112 with a very old tree near Kruszka.
Shunting at Nakło freight station.		Px38-805 is crossing the standard gauge line Nakło - Chojnice near Karnowo.
Tx-1112 in the gradient near Gumnowice.		Px38-805 at Kasprowo junction.
The original Tw1 of the former Bromberger Kreisbahn.		Tx-1112 at Morzewiec.

Passenger train with Px38-805 on the large bridge over the Brda-valley near Koronowo (26.09.1992).