Sosnowiec 2025-03-05

Railway line No. 62 Tunnel – Sosnowiec Główny. 2025

Railway line No. 62 Tunnel – Sosnowiec Główny is a fragment of the historic railway line, which was built in the second half of the 19th century, during the Kingdom of Poland, which was under the rule of the Muscovites. The line was built as the Ivanogródzko – Dąbrowska Iron Road. The Tunnel – Sosnowiec Południowy section was launched on January 25, 1885. On the other hand, the Sosnowiec Południowy – Sosnowiec Główny railway line was built in 1887, but was modified since the Independent Republic of Poland in 1924 and during the People’s Republic of Poland.

Line No. 62 runs meridionally, with a slight turn to the south and winds along the border of the Małopolska Province and the Silesian Province. LK No. 62 is 84.347 km long. The maximum speed of trains is 120 km/h. On the Tunel – Dąbrowa Górnicza Strzemieszyce section it is a double-track line, and on the final section it is single-track.

The electrification of the line on the Tunel – Sosnowiec Kazimierz section was completed on September 8, 1966, while the Sosnowiec Kazimierz – Sosnowiec Główny section on April 29, 1967. The line is electrified with 3 kV DC current. The traction is suspended on concrete and steel poles.

In the period 1976-1979, the longest broad-gauge railway line in the Polish People’s Republic was built; LHS (1520 mm), which is currently LK No. 65. For a significant length, LK No. 62 and LK No. 65 run parallel to each other.

Currently, LK No. 62 is used for freight and passenger transport. Passenger transport is provided by the carrier PolRegio; Koleje Śląskie. These are usually Katowice – Sędziszów and Katowice – Sędziszów – Kielce.

The line is systematically renovated, mainly to maintain train speeds of up to 120 km/h. The last renovation was carried out in 2018, on a 9 km long section between the Dąbrowa Górnicza Strzemieszyce – Dąbrowa Górnicza Wschodnia stations. The renovation involved replacing rails and sleepers and cleaning the ballast. Engineering facilities and the traction network were also renovated. New SRK devices were installed. In 2019, the Charsznica – Jaroszowiec Olkuski section, approximately 20 km long, was renovated. The renovation included replacing rails, sleepers and cleaning the ballast. Oak sleepers were used on some bridges. 22 engineering facilities (bridges and culverts) were renovated. Thanks to this, the maximum train speed of up to 120 km/h was restored. In 2020, the effects of the line modernization were already visible, on the Charsznica – Wolbrom – Jaroszowiec Olkuski section. New platforms were built, 0.76 m high from the railhead. New shelters and information boards were installed on the platforms. Modernized stops were opened for passengers at the Gajówka, Jeżówka, Wolbrom, Zarzecze and Chrząstowice stations. Some stops, such as in Jeżówka and Chrząstowice, were moved several hundred meters towards the existing crossings, so that passengers could get to them more easily and safely. Rail-road crossings were also rebuilt, using the most modern rubber surface system on crossings; ELASTrack manufactured by FTT Wolbrom S.A. The new facilities improved access to trains and increased safety.

In Olkusz, the tracks, platforms and traction network were rebuilt. New SRK devices were installed. A tunnel was built under the tracks, which replaced the footbridge over the tracks. PLN 132 million was allocated for the modernization. Another PLN 89 million was allocated for railway investments in the Silesian Voivodeship. On the modernized lines, the train speed was increased from 40 km/h to 120 km/h.

However, currently (2025) the coalition of December 13 (Folksdeutsche, communists and freemasons) is in power and all new modernizations of railway lines planned for the period 2025-2030 have been suspended. Officially, there was talk of postponing the deadlines for the implementation of the established tasks.

The course of the railway line No. 62.

Tunnel station (0.00 km, elevation 352 m). LK No. 62 starts from LK No. 8. There is an island platform and a guarded crossing at the station. Automatic guarded crossings without barriers; 3, 4, 5, 6 km. At 7 km there is a guarded crossing with barriers, Miechowska Street.

Charsznica station (7.79 km, elevation 353 m). There are 5 through tracks and three narrow single-edge platforms at the station. The station level is placed on an embankment. Brick multi-block station. The largest block has three storeys. Right behind the station there is a guarded railway crossing and another unguarded one. On the northern side there is a LHS track very close. At 11 km there is a guarded crossing with barriers and a guardhouse.

Gajówka passenger stop (12.40 km, elevation 365 m). There are two single-edge high platforms, a guardhouse and a crossing with barriers. At 15 km there is a crossing with lights.

Jeżówka passenger stop (17.31 km, elevation 400 m). There are two single-edge platforms opposite each other. Behind the platforms there is a crossing with lights. At 20 km there is a guarded automatic crossing with barriers, Miechowska Street. There used to be a Cis passenger stop here.

Wolbrom station (22.29 km, elevation 382 m). The historic station is a two-block building. The upper part has three storeys. There is one island platform here, new. Access is via a tunnel under the tracks. There are stairs and lifts. There are 5 through tracks at the station. The station has recently undergone renovation. There are new tracks, switches and a traction network. Further on there are two guarded crossings; Magazynowa and Skalska streets (DW No. 794).

Wolbrom Zachodni passenger stop (23.67 km, elevation 374 m) launched in December 2022. There are two platforms opposite each other. There is a guarded crossing at 26 km. Here is the longest straight section of tracks on the line; almost 4 km.

Zarzecze passenger stop (28.16 km, elevation 360 m) launched on July 9, 1947. There are currently two new single-edge platforms, opposite each other. Behind the platforms there is a guarded crossing, Dworcowa street. At 29 km, on the western side of the line, there is a station on the LHS line, which is also called Zarzecze. It is a passing loop.

Chrząstowice Olkuskie passenger stop (30.52 km, elevation 352) launched on May 26, 1974. There are two new single-edge platforms here, set opposite each other. In front of the platforms there is a guarded crossing, Nadmłynie Street. At 31 km, the line crosses the Biała Przemsza River. Here are longer straight sections of the line.

Jaroszowiec Olkuski station (35.74 km, elevation 346 m) launched on January 25, 1885, under the name Rabsztyn. The current name has been in force since 1966. Here are industrial and military areas. A siding to the Military Warehouses and to the Jaroszowiec Glassworks leaves from the station. Four through tracks pass through the station. There is also an LHS track here, which intersects with the normal tracks. There is a low island platform here. Access to the platform is through a tunnel. There is a guarded crossing in front of the station. There is a historic brick station here. The local areas are forested with coniferous trees. At 39.73 km there is a guarded crossing and a checkpoint, along the local road to Rabsztyn. Here there are more long straight sections of the line, almost 3 km. At 44 km, DK No. 94 passes over the line. There is a guarded crossing in front of Olkusz station.

Olkusz station (45.02 km, elevation 358 m) launched on January 25, 1885. Sidings to nearby factories run from the station. There is an island platform at the station with access from a footbridge over the tracks. There is a historic multi-block station at the station, with three storeys. The LHS track runs through the station. In the western head of the station there is a footbridge over the tracks for residents. Further on there is a viaduct over the tracks; 29 Listopada Street. Further on there is a guarded crossing; Żuradzka Street. At 48 km, automatic crossing along the local road. From the northern side of the line, sidings from nearby plants come, and the connection with LK No. 62 is at Bukowno station. At 48 km there is a checkpoint and guarded crossing; Leśna Street.

Bukowno station (53.53 km, elevation 308 m) launched on January 25, 1885. Currently, there are 10 through tracks at the station. There are two island platforms, and access is through a tunnel. At the station, there are LK No. 62, 65, 156 (to Jaworzno Szczakowa station) and several sidings. At 55 km there is a guarded crossing. At 56 km, the LHS line passes over LK No. 62 on a viaduct, to the southern side.

Bukowno Przymiarki passenger stop (57.37 km, elevation 300 m) launched on 20 May 1951. There are two new, single-edge platforms opposite each other. There is a station and a guarded crossing. At 59.10 km the line leaves the Małopolska province and enters the Silesian province. Further on the line crosses the Biała Przemsza river. At this point the LHS enters the Sławków Południowy terminal. At 60 km there is a guarded crossing and from the south there is a normal track from the Sławków Południowy terminal.

Sławków station (61.25 km, elevation 299 m) launched on 25 January 1885. The station has several through tracks and two new single-edge platforms. Access to the platforms is at the level of the tracks. There are two station buildings at the station; a historic one (two-storey with a developed attic) and a new one. The station was renovated a few years ago. There are new tracks, switches, electric traction, parking lots. Further on there is a guarded crossing, Kołdaczka/Hrubieszowska Street. At 62 km, the railway line from Zawiercie and Huta Katowice passes over the mountain, which then joins LK No. 62.

Dąbrowa Górnicza Wschodnia station (65.94 km, elevation 284 m) launched on May 15, 1931, under the name Górnik. The current name has been in force since 1979. A viaduct runs above the station, Rudna Street. There is one island platform at the station, and access is by stairs from the viaduct. At the station there are LK No. 62, 171 (Dąbrowa Górnicza Towarowa – Panewnik) and sidings to industrial plants. There are industrial areas here. At 67 km, LK No. 62 becomes single-track. Further down, a double-track railway line runs Zawiercie – Jaworzno.

Dąbrowa Górnicza Strzemieszyce station (69 km, elevation 282 m) launched on January 25, 1885, as Strzemieszyce. The current name has been in force since 1979. The historic multi-block station was demolished in 2017. Not much remains of the former station; a fan-shaped locomotive shed, workshop buildings, and a railway housing estate. In 2017, the station level and island platform were renovated. Then the line turns south in an arc to the left.

Sosnowiec Kazimierz station (73.60 km, elevation 264 m) launched in 1887, under the name Kazimierz. The current name has been in effect since 1990. The station has preserved a single-storey brick station, which is abandoned. The station has three single-edge platforms and a reinforced concrete footbridge over the tracks. The station has LK No. 62 and 163 (direction Maczki).

Sosnowiec Porąbka passenger stop (75.68 km, elevation 258 m) launched in 1926, under the name Juliusz. Since 1946, the name was Porąbka. The current name has been in force since 1990. At the stop there is a station from the 1960s. There is one track and one platform edge. Further on, the line passes under the S1 motorway.

Sosnowiec Dańdówka passenger stop (78.93 km, elevation 257 m) launched in 1915. The footbridge over the tracks is closed to traffic. The two-storey station building is abandoned. There are three platform edges. LK No. 171 (Dąbrowa Górnicza Towarowa – Panewnik) reaches here. A viaduct runs above the station, Wojska Polskiego/11 Listopada Street. There are industrial trains here.

Sosnowiec Południowy station (82.73 km, elevation 254 m) launched in 1887, under the name Sosnowiec Iwanogrodzki. The name has been changed several times. The current one has been in force since 1945. There is a footbridge over the tracks for travelers and residents. The line curves from the north-west to the north-east.

Sosnowiec Główny station (84.05 km, elevation 255 m).

Written by Karol Placha Hetman