On the next Saturday, October 19, just as 180 years ago, a train will depart Wrocław for Legnica at 10:00 a.m., following the historic route of the Lower Silesian–March Railway. A special train.

– It will be a real treat for railway enthusiasts and regional history buffs. For the train formation, we selected our oldest passenger carriages from the late 1930s, as well as the SP42 locomotive, popularly known as the “Kociołek,” built in 1970 – says Ryszard Boduszek, president of the Klub Sympatyków Kolei we Wrocławiu.

The historic train will travel from Wrocław Główny to Rokitki, passing through Środa Śląska, Malczyce, Legnica and Miłkowice, along a section of the former Wrocław–Berlin main line, now railway line no. 275.

– This line began at Wrocław’s March Railway Station, a fragment of which has survived to the present day near Wrocław Świebodzki station. The name “Lower Silesian–March Railway” refers to the connection between the capital of Lower Silesia and the territory of the historic Brandenburg March, as well as Berlin, the capital of Prussia at the time – explains president Ryszard Boduszek.

The journey on the historic train is not the end of Saturday’s planned attractions. On the second platform at Legnica station, at the Koleje Dolnośląskie stand beside the retro train, Marek Żak from the Muzeum Miedzi w Legnicy will be waiting to talk about the history of the railway line and then invite visitors on a walk through the city’s “railway nooks and crannies.”

– Historic trains are always a real treat for railway enthusiasts, so we warmly invite everyone, even if only to see the vehicle at Legnica station this Saturday – says Damian Stawikowski, president of Koleje Dolnośląskie.

The “March” train will leave Wrocław Główny station at 10:00 a.m. Its scheduled arrival in Legnica is at 11:51 a.m. At 1:00 p.m., the “Semafor” train will depart Legnica for Rokitki, returning to Legnica at 2:23 p.m. At 2:43 p.m., the retro train will set off on its return journey to Wrocław Główny.

– The Klub Sympatyków Kolei organizes journeys with historic rolling stock from time to time and uses the funds raised to renovate old vehicles. Koleje Dolnośląskie are planning several joint surprises with the club, so please follow further information on this subject – says Wojciech Zdanowski, vice-president of Koleje Dolnośląskie.

Tickets can be purchased on the trains, priced at PLN 75 (regular) and PLN 55 (reduced) for the Wrocław–Legnica–Wrocław route, and PLN 35 (regular) and PLN 25 (reduced) for the Legnica–Rokitki–Legnica route. They can also be purchased in advance on the website of the Klub Sympatyków Kolei we Wrocławiu, or—if tickets are still available—from the conductor before departure.