Bieszczady 2000

From January 29 until February 2, 2000, steam returned to the line of the Bieszczady Mountains in Southeastern Poland as the series of excursions called "Bieszczady 2000" took to the rails. Ty2-class steam locomotive #911 from the Chabokwa museum led the trips (except for one day). Join me for a look at some of the sights from these five days . . .

	Ty2-911 waits between Rabka Zaryta and Rabka Nizna following a photo stop. Each day, close to a dozen photo shops were made. (January 29, 2000)
	West of Mszana Dolna, the special rounds a curve on the first day's trip. That day we rode behind steam from Chabowka to Nowy Sacz. (January 29, 2000)
	At the start of Day 2, #911 waits for an early morning departure from Jaslo. This day we rode north to Strzyzow nad Wislokiem, then returned to Jaslo and continued to Zagorze. (January 30, 2000)
	Having reached Strzyzow nad Wislokiem, the special awaits the scheduled departure time for Jaslo. The train will follow a schedule passenger train. (January 30, 2000)
	On a curve just south of Strzyzow nad Wislokiem, #911 puts on a show for photographers. (January 30, 2000)
	North of Frysztak, another smoky photo stop was made. (January 30, 2000)
	A surprise was found in the station at Przybowka--old-style "Edmonson" tickets. Most PKP ticket offices feature computer-issued tickets, so riders on the train took an opportunity to buy some of these old tickets for their collections! (January 30, 2000)
	At Tarnowiec, two old-timers reflect on the days (not that long ago...) when there were regular steam trains on these lines. The fellow on the left used to be an engine driver. (January 30, 2000)
	Day 3 started with a snowy morning at Zagorz, and the bad news that #911 was out of service needing air pump repairs. We would have to put up with a diesel for today's ride on a freight train. Here, an ST43 class diesel sits at the Zagorz station. (January 31, 2000)
	Something you'd never see in the USA!: After making a photo stop, it was determined that the next stop was just 1/2 km away. So, instead of loading the passengers back into box wagons we were riding, we were all told to just jump on the nearest freight car for a lift!!! (January 31, 2000)
	ST43-404 leads the Day 3's excursion from Zagorz to Kroscienko. The passengers rode in the green switchmens' wagons (US=cabooses) behind the engine. This locomotive was built in Romania. (January 31, 2000)
	On Day 4, we travelled from Zagorz to the Slovak border at Lupkow behind the repaired #911. Here is the view from the passenger wagon as we headed south from Zagorz. (February 1, 2000)
	North of Mokre Malopolskie, #911 performs a photo run-by. (February 1, 2000)
	Near Rzepedz, a frozen river is traversed. There was a good deal of snow in the Bieszczady--several times, photographs sunk into snowbanks up to their waists! (February 1, 2000)
	Having arrived at the border station of Lupkow, the steam locomotive is uncoupled from the train and prepared for the return to Zagorz. This border crossing was closed for many years, and was only reopened recently. (February 1, 2000)
	The return trip to Zagorz provided an opportunity to sit around the coal stove and discuss the day's events. (February 1, 2000)
	Day 5 featured a return to Kroscienko, this time behind steam. Here, near Stefkowa, children wave to the passing train. (February 2, 2000)
	Between Ustianowa and Ustrzyki Dolne, one of the last photo stops of the trip took place. In beautiful sun, #911 rounds a curve for photographers. (February 2, 2000)
	Having reached the border with the Ukraine at Kroscienko, #911 runs around its train under the watchful eye of the Polish border guards. (February 2, 2000) Many thanks go to Andrzej Cichowicz of Katowice for arranging this series of trips.