Last Train to Ostromecko

April 2, 2000 was the last day of service on many secondary lines throughout Poland. One of the lines that closed that day was between Bydgoszcz Fordon and Chelmza (timetable #416). Although devoid of freight, six pairs of passenger trains daily traversed the route daily (one pair was cut in early 2000). These photos were taken during the last months of operation.

UPDATE: This line reopened in December 2008!

If you're interested, there is a map showing the route (in blue).

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SU45-121 pauses at Bydgoszcz Lesna with a Chelmza-bound train. (February 15, 2000)
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Having arrived at Bydgoszcz Fordon, SU45-121 prepares to leave the electrified section of the line. (February 15, 2000)
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SU45-224 arrives in Bydgoszcz Fordon with train #1137 from Chelmza. (March 22, 2000)
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On another day at Fordon, SU45-170 arrives with train #1122 to Chelmza. (March 29, 2000)
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Bydgoszcz Fordon was once an open station, with signalled sidings that allowed trains to pass. The station was closed several years ago, and the abandoned east end tower overlooks disused departure signals. No trains travel in this direction any longer. (March 22, 2000)
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SU45-170 departs from Bydgoszcz Fordon towards its ultimate destination of Bydgoszcz Glowna. (March 29, 2000)
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Having crossed the Wisla River on a bridge shared with the highway, SU45-170 heads toward Ostromecko station, and ultimately, Chelmza. (March 22, 2000)
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The closed station at Ostromecko was showing the signs of neglect but still pretty much intact. (March 29, 2000)
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The Ostromecko station had a passing track, once controlled from these now boarded-up windows. (March 29, 2000)
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A little boy at the closed station of Dabrowa Chelminska watches the departure of a train to Chelmza. (March 29, 2000)
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The Dabrowa Chelminska station displays an architecture different than that of Ostromecko. (March 29, 2000)
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The shelter for passengers at the Gzin station stop. (March 29, 2000)
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By late 1999, Unislaw Pomorskie was the last "open" station on the line. Signals remained in use, and meets between trains occured here daily. (March 29, 2000)
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The line had a minor "freight role", as illustrated by these two vendors loading their wares at Unislaw. (March 29, 2000)
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SU45-121 departs Unislaw for Chelmza with train #1124, as viewed from an arriving train. (March 29, 2000)
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Services on this line usually consisted of one set of Bhp double-deck cars, in either green or the "scrambled eggs" scheme. (March 29, 2000)
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Two passengers leave the train at Grzybno. (March 29, 2000)
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The closed station building at Gluchowo still houses a residence on the second floor. (March 29, 2000)
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Chelmza is a junction station with three platforms to handle services in four directions. Here, SU45-263 prepares to depart with train #5525, a Torun-Grudziaz service. (March 29, 2000)
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Having arrived with train #1122 from Bydgoszcz, SU45-170 runs around its train at Chelmza, preparing to take train #1137 back. (March 29, 2000)
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The equipment for train #1137 to Bydgoszcz sits waiting in Chelmza. (March 29, 2000)
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An overview of the Chelmza station, typical of many rural junction stations in Poland--this is a sight which is rapidly disappearing. (March 29, 2000)
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The conductor of train #1137 waits to give the departure signal from Chelmza. (March 29, 2000)
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Train #1137 to Bydgoszcz waits at platform 1 in Chelmza, a few days before service was discontinued. (March 29, 2000)
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A Bydgoszcz-Chelmza train board--a sight probably never to be seen again. (March 29, 2000)