Świnoujście 2021-10-31

The InterCity train ‘Chełmoński’ Świnoujście – Kraków Główny.

Photo description. Szczecin Główny. Entry of train 8302 “Chełmoński” at Szczecin Główny station on the relation to Kraków. The train has eight air-conditioned carriages. Locomotive EP07-482 is equipped with air conditioning for the mechanic.

The PKP InterCity.

The PKP InterCity is a Polish rail carrier that belongs to the PKP group. It is involved in long-distance passenger transport. In Poland, it has a share of 15% in passenger transport in terms of passenger numbers, but 53% in transport measured on a passenger-kilometre scale. The company was established on 30 August 2001 with 1,500 employees. It currently (2021) has over 8,000 employees. The company transports passengers under the Express Intercity and Express Intercity Premium brands. Under the first brand it uses electric and diesel locomotives with classic coaches and EMUs. Under the Express Intercity Premium brand, it uses 20 ED250 Pendolino EZT trainsets.

The initial competitor was Przewozy Regionalne, which in 2008, handed over its fast trains to InterCity. At that time, some of the rolling stock and employees were transferred to InterCity. With the introduction of the ED250 Pendolino EMU trains, the company started to make a profit. Pendolino trains are serviced at Warsaw Grochów station.

In December 2014, the InterCity long-distance train category was created after years of testing. These trains were strengthened with new purchases. The EZT Flirt and EZT Dart were purchased, with a travelling speed of 160 km/h. Electric locomotives were overhauled and modernised, some of which were adapted to a travelling speed of 160 km/h. A number of ‘Y’ series coaches underwent major overhauls and modernisation. Renovations also involved restaurant and bar cars. The company also owns sleeping and reclining coaches. As of 2010, postal wagons are no longer used in Poland.

The InterCity rolling stock.

Initially, InterCity did not have its own locomotives, as they were all handed over to PKP Cargo. This proved to be a poor solution. Therefore, the company gradually acquired new or modernised electric and diesel locomotives. In 2008, the company bought 10 electric multisystem Eurosprinter ES64U4 Taurus locomotives to operate international trains.

In 2009, the InterCity company had locomotives: 1 EP05, 157 EP07, 169 EU07, 9 EP08, 47 EP09, 50 SM42 (SP42), 19 SU45. In 2014, 10 copies of the SU160 Gama and 20 copies of the SM42-1000 Newag were purchased.

In 2020, Olkol refurbished 23 electric locomotives to the EU07A standard. Among other things, the electric motors were replaced with asynchronous motors. The speed of the locomotives was increased from 125 km/h to 160 km/h.

In 2010, InterCity had 3,131 wagons. By 2015, the company had modernised 218 wagons. The renovations were carried out by Polish companies: HCP (FPS – Fabryka Pojazdów Szynowych), Pesa Bydgoszcz, Newag Nowy Sącz and ZNTK “Mińsk Mazowiecki”. By 2015, 54 new railcars had been purchased. In the period 2016 – 2018, a further 176 wagons of the series were refurbished: 111A, 141A, 144A, 145A.

In 2018, InterCity ordered 81 new carriages from the Rail Vehicle Factory (HCP). In April 2018, InterCity further ordered the refurbishment of 70 wagons of types 111A, 112A and 140A. In 2019, a contract was signed to refurbish a further 10 Type 145Ab carriages to restaurant car standard. In August 2019, a further 12 EZT Flirt units consisting of eight coaches were ordered from Stadler.

Currently in 2021, InterCity has electric locomotives: 1 EP05 (160 km/h speed), 227 EU07, EP07 (125 km/h speed), 1 EP05 (160 km/h speed), 23 EU07A (160 km/h speed), 9 EP08 (140 km/h speed), 46 EP09 (160 km/h speed), 10 EU44 Husarz (230 km/h speed), 30 EU160 Griffin (160 km/h speed). 10 Newag E4MSUa multisystem locomotives with a maximum speed of 200 km/h were ordered for international trains.

Currently in 2021, InterCity has the following diesel locomotives: 17 SM42 (6D) locomotives, 90 km/h, 10 SM42 (18D) locomotives, 90 km/h, 17 SM42 (6D) locomotives, 90 km/h, 10 SU42-1000 (6DI) locomotives, 90 km/h, 10 SU160 Gama (111Db) locomotives, 140 km/h. 10 SM42-2000 locomotives (6D-FPS), with a speed of 90 km/h, have been ordered. Of these locomotives, the SU160 Gama is the best, replacing the SU45 locomotives with dignity, as well as the SU42-1000, which is ideal for short passenger trainsets.

Currently in 2021, the InterCity company has an ED: 20 ED250 Pendolino trainsets, 7-coaches, with a maximum speed of 250 km/h, 32 ED160 Flirt trainsets, 8-coaches, with a maximum speed of 160 km/h, 20 ED161 Dart trainsets, 8-coaches, with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. InterCity also stocks 4 ED74 Bydgostia trainsets, 4-wagons, which have not entered permanent service for various reasons. They are currently being rebuilt and in 2022, should enter service.

Passenger service.

In 2001, the carrier launched online ticket booking. From 2005, online ticket sales were launched. Seating was determined by the system. Then a limited seating option was introduced: by the window or by the aisle. In 2009, the carrier started selling tickets via ticket machines. In 2014, the carrier started selling tickets via mobile phones via the SkyCash mobile app. In 2015, ticket sales began at some Polish Post offices. From 2017, online ticket sales with one change were launched. Until now, tickets had to be purchased separately. Since 2021, online selection of a specific seat by the passenger has been possible.

Since 2014, mobile internet access has been introduced on some trains and to a limited extent. Since 2015, access to online multimedia sites has been launched, including through cooperation with Google.

The InterCity train 8302 “Chelmonski”. Train composition.

InterCity train 8302 “Chełmoński” is one of 266 typical trains. InterCity trains connect around 400 cities in Poland. InterCity train 8302 “Chełmoński” connects Świnoujście – Kraków Główny. In the opposite relation, InterCity train 3802 “Chełmoński” Kraków Główny – Świnoujście runs.

In the summer of 2021, the train consisted of 8 carriages, in the layout:

1 car 2nd Class Combo 111A-30 (Bbnouvz) is a multi-purpose car suitable for disabled travellers. The wagon has 68-41 seats. The carriage has a compartmentless section with 22 seats. There are two compartments in the carriage, mainly for families with young children, 12 seats. There is also one compartment for wheelchair users, with a total of 4 seats. There is a closed system toilet for wheelchair users in the carriage. There is a baby changing facility in the toilet. There is space in the vehicle for bicycles (6 bicycles) and skis. The bicycle spaces have anti-theft protection. The carriage has 230 V sockets, USB sockets, wireless internet, passenger information system, monitoring, air conditioning. The distinctive feature of the carriages is the painted bicycle, the word “Combo” and the navy blue entrance door. The doors are bumper-to-bumper. InterCity currently has 60 carriages of this type.

Car 2 Class 111A-20 (Bnopuz) is a compartmentless carriage. It has 72 seats and the doors are bumper-to-bumper. It has two toilets in a closed system. The carriage has 230 V sockets, wireless internet, passenger information system, monitoring, air conditioning.

3 Wagon 2 Class 111A-20 (Bnopuz).

4 Wagon 1/2 Class 141A-20 (ABnouz) is a mixed carriage. Three 1st Class compartments and a compartmentless 48-seater. The doors are bumper-to-bumper, navy blue. The carriage has two toilets in a closed system. The carriage has 230 V sockets, USB sockets, wireless internet, inductive charging for phones, passenger information system, monitoring, air conditioning.

The 5th dining car 113Aa (WRnouz) has 16 seats and 10 bar seats for consumers. The wagon has air conditioning.

6 Wagon 2 Class 174A (Bnouz) is a compartment car, 10-compartments with six seats each. It has two toilets in a closed system. The carriage has 230 V sockets, USB sockets, wireless internet, passenger information system, monitoring, air conditioning.

7 Class 1 car 140A-FPS (Cegielski) (Anouz) is a car with compartments, 9-compartments with 6 seats each. It has two toilets in a closed system. The carriage has 230 V sockets, passenger information system, monitoring, air conditioning.

8 Class 2 car 141A-FPS (Cegielski) (Bnouz) is a car with compartments, 10-compartments with 6 seats each. It has two toilets in a closed system. The carriage has 230 V sockets, passenger information system, monitoring, air conditioning.

All seats are blue in colour. The inter-vehicle gangways have automatic, pneumatic sliding doors. All exterior doors are of the automatic bump-and-slide type with integrated luminous information. All toilets are of the closed system. Hot water for washing and supply hand dryers are available. Supply air conditioning has compressors located under the carriage body.

InterCity train 8302 ‘Chelmonski’. Timetable, summer 2021.

InterCity train 8302 “Chełmoński” departed from Świnoujście at 13;24. Subsequent stations: Międzyzdroje 13;43, Wysoka Kamieńska 14;05, Goleniów 14;24, Szczecin Dąbie 14;43, Szczecin Główny 14;57, Gryfino 15;30, Chojna 15;50, Kostrzyn 16;20, Rzepin 16;45, Zielona Góra Główna 17;29, Nowa Sól 17;45, Bytom Odrzański 17;54, Głogów 18;13, Lubin 18; 40, Legnica 18;55, Wrocław Główny 19;45, Oława 20;27, Brzeg 20;37, Opole Główne 21;02, Strzelce Opolskie 21;26, Gliwice 21;53, Zabrze 22;04, Katowice 22;19, Mysłowice 22;33, Jaworzno Szczakowa 22;43, Trzebinia 22;54, Krzeszowice 23;05, Kraków Główny 23;28.

InterCity 3802 “Chełmoński” train set off from Kraków Główny at 04;58. Next stations: Krzeszowice 05;17, Trzebinia 05;26, Jaworzno Szczakowa 05;37, Mysłowice 05;49, Katowice 06;01, Zabrze 06;25, Gliwice 06;34, Strzelce Opolskie 07;07, Opole Główne 07;30, Brzeg 07;54, Oława 08;03, Wrocław Główny 08;22, Legnica 09;28, Lubin 09;42, Głogów 10; 09, Bytom Odrzański 10;28, Nowa Sól 10;37, Zielona Góra Główna 10;52, Rzepin 11;38, Kostrzyn 12;02, Chojna 12;35, Gryfino 12;56, Szczecin Główny 13;14, Szczecin Dąbie 13;30, Goleniów 13;47, Wysoka Kamieńska 14;06, Międzyzdroje 14;33, Świnoujście 14;54.

Route length 753 km. Locomotives were replaced at Wrocław Główny station. On the section Wrocław Główny – Kraków Główny the train was led by locomotive EP09. On the section Wrocław Główny – Świnoujście locomotive EP07. Therefore the stop at Wrocław Główny station lasted 20 minutes. There were two trainsets, which according to the timetable crossed at Wysoka Kamieńska station. Often the trains were delayed by 20 to 30 minutes. The delays were mainly due to repair work that was being carried out at stations in western Poland at the time. Some stations in western Poland have short platforms and an eight-car line-up does not fit through them. Therefore, in front of these stations, the conductor team asked disembarking passengers to walk to the sixth car in the sequence. The platforms are about 170 m long, with a total length of the depot of 215 m. In the autumn of 2021, the InterCity 8302 / 3802 “Chelmonski” train consisted of seven carriages.

The trains are always kept clean. The conductor teams are always impeccably dressed in uniform, cultured and willing to help passengers. They are able to help passengers who may miss the next train as a result of the delay. This second train can only leave after the first train has arrived. This generates some delays, but it is probably more important that everyone reaches their destination without spending the night at the station.

In the 1970s, trains from Kraków Główny to Świnoujście usually followed a different route. From Wrocław Główny via: Leszno, Poznań Główny, Krzyż, Choszczno, Stargard, Szczecin Dąbie. In Lower Silesia, there were two alternative routes: via Strzelce Opolskie or via Kędzierzyn Koźle.

The name ‘Chelmoński’ was previously carried by InterCity train 6304 Jelenia Góra – Przemyśl, 3604 Przemyśl – Jelenia Góra. Its route was as follows: Jelenia Góra, Wałbrzych Główny, Wałbrzych Miasto, Wrocław Główny, Oława, Brzeg, Opole Główny, Lubliniec – Częstochowa Stradom, Kraków Główny, Kraków Płaszów, Bochnia, Tarnów, Dębica, Rzeszów Główny, Łańcut, Przeworsk, Jarosław, Przemyśl Główny.

Written by Karol Placha Hetman