Opole 2024-10-03

Opole Zachodnie Railway Station.

Geographic coordinates: 50.661N 17.898E. Elevation 151 m. Opole Zachodnie is a freight station and passenger stop in the city of Opole in the Zaodrze district. It is one of nine railway stations in Opole.

The station was opened as a freight station in 1843, i.e. when a section of the Brzeg – Opole railway line was put into service. In the period 1843-1930, the station was called Sczepanowitz. In 1930, the name was Germanized to Stefanshöh (1930-1937). In 1937, after the village was incorporated into the city limits, the name of the station was changed to Oppeln West (Opole Zachodnie). In 1945, after Opole was incorporated into the Borders of Poland, the name remained; Opole Zachodnie. According to another source of information, the next names of the station were: Czepanowitz (1843-1880), Sczepanowitz (1880-1930), Stefanshöh (1930-1937), Oppeln West (1937-1945), Opole Zachodnie (since 1945).

In 1912, a warehouse (loading bay) was built at the station. In the following years, between the tracks and the current Niemodlińska Street, more warehouses, workshops and factories were built.

In 1936, a small station building was built. According to other sources of information, the station was opened on June 1, 1941. The building housed a ticket and luggage office, a waiting room and a kiosk (shop). In 1990, the building was closed. In 1997, the building was flooded and the building inspector ordered it to be demolished. A container ticket office was set up nearby, which operated for only a few years. Currently, train tickets can be purchased from vending machines, online, or from the train conductor.

The last renovation of the station was carried out in the period 2021-2023. Wooden sleepers on the main tracks were replaced with prestressed concrete sleepers and elastic fastenings. Line No. 132 on the Wrocław Główny – Opole Główne section was modernized to a speed of 160 km/h. LK No. 132 Bytom – Wrocław runs through the station and LK No. 287 Opole Zachodnie – Nysa (single-track, not electrified) begins. Previously, there was a connector with LK No. 287, which allowed direct travel towards Brzeg and Wrocław. The connector was eliminated. The old-track connector is overgrown with self-sown trees. The station is located at 101.331 km of LK No. 132.

There are two single-edge platforms at the station. The platforms have bus shelters, benches, garbage cans, passenger information, and lighting. The last renovation of the platforms was carried out in 2006. Regional PolRegio trains stop at the platforms. Access to the platforms is provided by a sidewalk placed under the railway viaduct along Wojska Polskiego Street (National Road No. 45). Access to the platforms is free from architectural difficulties for people in wheelchairs. There is a footbridge between the platforms and the freight part above the tracks. This footbridge is located approximately 100 m from the platforms. Until 2019, the station served up to 500 passengers per day. In 2022, the station served up to 900 passengers per day.

In 2021, a transfer center was located at the platforms of the Opole Zachód stop. A parking lot for 300 passenger cars and public transport stops were built. Signs informing about the number of available spaces were placed at the entrances to the parking lot. There are bicycle parking lots and a bicycle repair station. The street layout was changed. New sidewalks and bike paths were created. The intersection of Niemodlińska and Domańskiego streets was rebuilt and traffic lights were installed. The entire area was additionally planted with trees, shrubs and plants.

Light semaphores were installed during the electrification of the line in 1961. Since 2015, the station has been computer-operated from the “Op” control room at Opole Główne station.

Until 1961, there was a front-side unloading ramp at the freight station. Until 1977, a 50-ton wagon scale was in operation. Currently, there are 5 side tracks and 2 short sidings at the freight station. A siding leads from the freight station to industrial plants, including Zakłady Zbożowe and the “CHEMIA” trading company. There is a military unit at the freight station; the 172nd Light Infantry Battalion and the 10th Opole Logistics Brigade. The 116th Military Hospital is also located near the station.

Before World War II, there was a narrow-gauge railway at the freight station. This railway served, among others, a brickyard.

Written by Karol Placha Hetman