The engine driver of the #7 calls a greeting to the crew of the #2 as he backs down to the station to pick up his train.  Once on the road, the fireman lays in a good fire and the photographer sneaks a quick peak from the fireman's seat.

 

There are several scheduled stops on the line between Wolsztyn and Posnan, but rapid acceleration and fast running between stops makes this trip anything but boring. Eventually, we arrive on the mainline, and too soon we are at the Posnan yard limits.

 

Upon arrival at Poznan Glowny, the #7 leaves it's train in the hands of a diesel yard engine and backs down to the engine terminal for turning and servicing.  We could have gone along, but decided instead to ride a tram down town for a little shopping and a bite at McDonald's  (we did the McDonald's thing only once while in Poland, and that was enough).  A couple of hours later the train is ready to go, passengers are boarded, and the "eagle-eye" cracks the throttle for the return trip.

 

There are some pretty good stretches of parallel road for pacing, and the train makes enough stops so that you can get around it maybe.  But when he's not sitting still he's moving fast.  Anyone who has chased the 4501 through the hills of Kentucky will feel right at home here, because  the roads are about the same and everyone in Poland drives like a railfan in a motorcade.  Glad I had a driver who knew what he was doing -- or at least appeared to.

 

We enjoyed some mighty fine 60+mph running, but when  WL Tower came into view  we knew  the fun was about done.   After dropping the train in the station we backed down to the engine terminal for some refreshment.  

Home