Poland (North East) - Lines with Obscure passenger services Temp

Introduction

These entries are based on the timetable from 12 December 2020 to 10 December 2021. However, it should be noted it is completely reissued about four times per year with "adjustments" due on 14 March, 13 June, 29 August and 7 November 2021. In addition, there are frequent amendments within timetable periods.

Standard abbreviations are explained in General Information. Map references relate to the M.G. Ball 2020 European Railway Atlas Enthusiasts Edition [ERA-E] ISBN: 978-1-9161212-9-4 and its Polish Regional version [ERA-R] ISBN: 978-1-9161212-1-8 and the Mały Atlas Linii Kolejowych Polski 2011 published by Eurosprinter ISBN: 978-83-931006-3-7

Obscure services: Lines with regular use

Suwałki - Papiernia - curve 517 - Las Suwalski

[530] (ERA174A2, B12) PL20/500

The March 2019 PDF for table 530 showed increased running time between Plociczno kolo Suwałk and Suwałki between 3-8 June 2019, the same scenario that happened in mid March 2018 when this diversion previously occured. In 2019/20 there is one northbound and one southbound with extra time in this section but the Journey Planner and Map view confirm these are purely crossing related delays.

Kętrzyn - Węgorzewo

[536] (ERA173B3/B2, B10/A10) PL20/501

Private operator SKPL has run summer services on this 33 km branch. The Shortlines website reveals that they did not run in 2020.

Białystok - Wałily

[534] (ERA179B5, C12/13) PL20/502

This 36.6km branch had a summer weekend service introduced in 2016 and in 2020 this is increased with one pair FSSuO and the other SSuO, running from 1 May until 27 September 2020 with timings on 534 PDF

Hajnówka - Siemianówka

[541] (ERA179B4, D13) PL20/503

No service is shown in the 2019/20 PDFs although Siemianówka is in its heading... In Summer 2019 two train pairs were advertised from 29 June until 1 September on Saturdays and Sundays, plus on Friday evenings from Hajnówka to Siemianówka at 20.40, returning Saturday at 04.51.....

Chełm – Dorohusk – Jagodin (Ukraine)

[550/M401] (ERA184C5, F13) PL20/504

Two unelectrified parallel lines cross the Poland/Ukraine border between Dorohusk and Jagodin, standard gauge line (1435mm) and broad gauge (1520mm). Only the standard gauge currently has a passenger service with PKP operating a long standing Warszawa - Kyïv overnight service on the 1435mm gauge tracks to/from Jagodin, where gauge changing takes place by means of bogie exchange. The train uses PKP diesel traction for the short cross-border journey and note this is the only passenger service east of Chelm to Dorohusk.

Standard gauge line

Used by the Warszawa – Kiev (and v.v.) overnight train pair. Trains exchange bogies at Jagodin.

		68	Warszawa Zachodnia - 22:02 Chelm - Kiev Passajirskii
		67	Kiev Passajirskii - Dorohusk 05:58 - Warszawa Zachodnia

NOTE: These were suspended due to Covid-19 but by 30 August had resumed running at least as far as Iagodin. However, no service shown in November 2020.

Broad gauge line

No current service. A daytime pair of Ukrainian cross border DMUs commenced on 12 June 2017, initially successful and increased to two pairs, but subsequently reduced to one in December 2018. Then allegedly due to a Customs dispute with the Polish Authorities concerning fuel duty this pair only ran cross border to Dorohusk with a bus to/from Chelm from 9 June 2019, but even this was withdrawn after running on the 18 June 2019.

[Warsaw] - podg Stojadja - Minsk Mazowiecki avoider – Line 13 - Pilawa

[550, 613] (ERA178B2, D10/E10) PL20/505

Regular use resumed in Autumn 2019 when the Dęblin - Lublin main line reopened following long term engineering works since 1 September 2018. Running via this route is indicated by an entry in table 613 and < markers at Minsk Mazowiecki.

This was previously the main route for fast trains between Warsawa Wschodnia and Pilawa due to capacity limitations on the single track line via Otwock. That route is being doubled so it must be a possibility that in due course this entry may not be used by passenger services.

Rejowiec avoiding line: podg Rejowiec Zach. – podg Rejowiec Płd.

[550a/554] (ERA184B2, F12) PL20/506

This reinstated west - south curve (line 563) resumed passenger use on 9 June 2019.

		TLK20101	Piła Główny - 19:48 Trawniki - Hrubieszów Miasto
		TLK22100	Hrubieszów Miasto - 07:56 Krasnystaw Miasto - Piła Główny

Łuków – Parczew Kolejowa (– Lublin)

[551a] (ERA179A1, E11/12) PL20/507

Even though the direct main line via Dęblin is now fully reopened, two pairs of TLK's remained scheduled via this route in the 2019-2020 timetable. However from 31 August 2020 to 12 December 2020 the line is closed for engineering works.

This 52km section had reopened on 11 June 2017 for diverted Warsaw - Lublin services due to those long term engineering works.

Dęblin – Stawy

[553] (ERA178C1, E11) PL20/508

There are two passenger routes approaching Dęblin from the Łuków line which connect to either the north or south ends of Dęblin station forming a balloon loop. The normal mode of operation for some years as confirmed by the Journey Planner map view is for trains from Łuków to Dęblin to arrive at Dęblin using the southern route, [even if they are continuing south and need to reverse in order to do so]. Trains from Dęblin to Łuków use the northern route.

Chełm - Włodawa

[558] (ERA185B5/C5, E13/F13) PL20/509

This otherwise freight only branch has had a sponsored summer weekend only service in recent years. 2020 dates are SSuO starting on 27 June until 27 September inclusive.

Obscure services: Lines used on an occasional basis

Siedlce avoiding line: Białki Siedleckie (podg Doły) – Stok Lacki (podg Ujrzanów)

[541] (ERA179A2, D11) PL20/550

If additional time is allowed between Siedlce and Stok Lacki, it may be due to the train being required to reverse around the Siedlce avoiding line (line 520). Last scheduled use in 2017 TT period.