Train service in Poland continues to face challenges as a fallen tree disrupted travel on January 1st, halting an Intercity train and highlighting the vulnerability of the country’s rail infrastructure during the winter season. The incident near Waplewo and Nidzica follows a day of widespread delays on December 31st, prompting a national response led by Prime minister Donald Tusk [[3]]. Passengers are facing reroutings and replacement bus services as crews work to restore full service on the affected line.
Train Service Disrupted in Poland After Tree Falls on Power Line
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Train travelers in Poland faced disruptions on January 1st after a fallen tree damaged overhead power lines, halting an Intercity (IC) 5330 “Kormoran” train between Waplewo and Nidzica. More than 40 passengers were on board at the time of the incident, which occurred after 8:00 AM local time. Polish State Railways (PKP Intercity) reported that the train resumed its journey towards Olsztyn before noon, allowing passengers to continue their travel plans. Crews are continuing work to fully restore rail traffic on the affected line.
Passengers Travel Without Heating
The swift response of emergency services was crucial, as the damage to the power lines resulted in a loss of heating on the train. Passengers were attended to by the train crew throughout the delay. A network train and a rescue locomotive were dispatched to assess the damage and expedite the reopening of the rail line. The incident underscores the vulnerability of rail infrastructure to weather-related events, potentially impacting travel during peak seasons.
Service Diversions and Replacement Transport
Rail traffic on line 216 Działdowo-Olsztyn remains suspended indefinitely. PKP Intercity trains are being rerouted via Iława. Replacement bus service has been established for passengers traveling to and from the Olsztynek and Nidzica stations. PKP Intercity and Kolei Mazowieckich tickets are being honored on select routes to mitigate the impact of the disruption.
Winter Weather Causes Widespread Travel Issues
This is the second incident on this line in two days. On December 31st, severe weather across Poland led to widespread transportation challenges, including a separate incident on the same line where the “Mazury” train was stranded at the Nidzica station for several hours. Throughout December 31st, fourteen PKP Intercity trains experienced delays exceeding 60 minutes.
Prime Minister Convened Emergency Meeting
On December 31st, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk participated in an emergency meeting at the Government Center for Security, alongside ministers and emergency services personnel, to address the impact of hazardous weather conditions. He emphasized the importance of ensuring no one is left unattended and that the state must take all necessary measures to prevent tragedies resulting from negligence. Tusk directed services to operate based on worst-case scenarios and current weather forecasts, even “at the cost of giving up private plans.”
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Źródła: PKP Intercity (X), tvn24.pl, Gazeta.pl 1, Gazeta.pl 2
