Rannoch Rail Adventures
A Division of The Rannoch Corporation
Presenting The Wolsztyn Experience
z
Steam
Locomotive Driving
on
PKP Polish National Railways
Index
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How do I/we get there?
Is there anything for spouses to do?
Is this for men only?
How old or young do I need to be?
What kind of physical condition do I need to be in?
Do I need any special insurance?
What should I bring?
What role does Rannoch Corporation play?
About The Wolsztyn Experience The Wolsztyn Experience is a British company operating in tandem with a charitable trust in western Poland, near the German border. The small, picturesque town of Wolsztyn is the center of steam rail operations conducted by the PKP, the national railroad system of Poland. Wolsztyn is one of several towns in the area where a roundhouse and maintenance facilities are maintained for steam locomotives. This is literally the last steam-hauled mainline train service in Europe and among the last in the world. Wolsztyn Experience provides financial assistance to support this attraction by providing driving courses to individual in conjunction with its regular passenger and freight service. This is an unparalleled experience. Students actually experience on-the-job training under master "machinists" (engineers and firemen) in a scheduled rail environment. This is not a preserved railway. It is scheduled mainline service and you spend the majority of your time on the engine sitting in the right-hand seat under the careful guidance of the engineer. Read and see more about railroads in Poland and Wolsztyn at the Polish Train Page. See Wolsztyn Experience photos by clicking here!What You Can Expect to Learn The Wolsztyn Experience is a driving-intensive course. For those enrolling in the six-day course, the scheme will run from Sunday to Sunday. For most first-time participants, Monday will be a day of orientation on one of the freight-only branches; here you may practice many trial stops and starts and become accustomed to the controls. Experienced drivers will start on the mainline. Should you wish to fire, as well as drive, this can be arranged. On the following days, you will practice driving on scheduled trains moving between stations on the line.
The same course is also offered in an intensive three-day version for those whose schedule or desire to accommodate a companion’s interests make a shorter stay preferable. The intensive course offers the same amount of driving time as does the six-day, with you driving two turns in each of three days.
About $1200 (US) for each person participating in the driving course. Air fare is extra, as Rannoch is not a travel agent. Air fare from the US to Berlin runs from about $600 to $1,000 per person depending on season and availability of special fares. Rannoch works with a travel agent in the US who can help set up economical air transportation in conjunction with our programs. The good news is that a companion sharing the same room can go along for little more than the additional travel costs. This bargain is due to the fact that Wolsztyn experience owns its own house in Wolsztyn. Contact us for details.
Unlike most other programs, Wolsztyn Experience operates almost every week of the year except during August, when Howard Jones takes his holiday. Of course, the best dates (including the Christmas season) fill up early and the number of participants is very limited, so it is best not to wait until the last minute to book.
- How do I/we get there? - You fly from the US to Berlin, Germany. From there, you take the train to Wolsztyn, where you will be met. We provide complete instructions and pre-purchased train tickets.
- Is there anything for spouses to do? - Yes, lots. Poland is a beautiful country and the area around Wolsztyn has many lakes and beautiful rural countryside. Poznan is one of the cities visited by the trains from Wolsztyn and you can arrange a layover with your companion to visit this very interesting city. Of course, Berlin itself is a most interesting stopover and you can get to all of Poland and Germany for sightseeing before and after the course.
Is this for men only? - Certainly not! Women are most welcome, either as a course participant or as a companion. In England, a lot of women have become involved in locomotive driving as a result of the railway preservation movement there. And, even if you decide to come along as a companion, it is usually possible to set up a pass to take a ride in the locomotive cab to see what your companion is really doing!
How old or young do I need to be? - The real limit here is on the young end of the scale. Persons under 21 years old would be on an exception basis. As for the other end of the scale, people in their 80s and 90s have driven locomotives. It is really a question of physical and mental capability.
What kind of physical condition do I need to be in? - Pretty good, but not an Olympic athlete. Steam locomotives were not designed to accommodate many handicaps, but if you have at least one strong arm to manage the regulator (throttle) which is pretty stiff, and the brake valve, which is not, you will be okay. If you have any concerns, please discuss them with us and we can give you our opinion.
Do I need any special insurance? - Yes, we strongly recommend comprehensive trip insurance. Not only do we recommend trip cancellation insurance, but also baggage, medical and medical evacuation coverage. See our brochure for details on the excellent plan we can provide.
What should I bring? - This is a question that depends on a lot of factors including the weather and time of year. The main thing is to have the right work clothes plus a few other things we recommend for the driving course. After you sign up, we will send you a comprehensive list which is specific to the course you will be taking.
What role does Rannoch Corporation play? - We at Rannoch Corporation arrange the locomotive driving experience and most other land arrangements associated with your trip to Wolsztyn. We at Rannoch Corporation arrange the locomotive driving experience and most other land arrangements associated with your course. However, we have found that many people prefer to make air travel and sightseeing arrangements through their own travel agent, so we can provide coordination information to your travel agent, or we can put you in touch with a travel agent familiar with our programs.
Safety is a major concern with all forms of transportation and railroading is no exception. There are a lot of ways to get seriously injured or even killed on a railroad, and steam locomotives present a few special hazards. My personal experience with Howard Jones and the Polish Railway is that they are very safety conscious and that safety is constantly emphasized throughout the course. I am developing a list of Personal Safety Suggestions as a page on this web site, but it is certainly not complete. When you take the course, Howard will provide you with his own briefing on the subject. But, remember that, no list of rules and no amount of "preaching" on our part can substitute for common sense and care on your part.
Now, here comes the legal fine print. Rannoch Corporation acts only as a booking agent for Footplate Days and Ways, The Wolsztyn Experience, various transportation providers and other third parties. Rannoch plays no role in conducting the courses and has no control over the actions of any third party whom we represent. Rannoch Corporation assumes no responsibility nor liability with respect to any injury, fatality, accident, damage to or loss of property, or other outcome which may result directly or indirectly from participation in one of the courses or tours we offer. Moreover, our liability with respect to any occurrence during one of our courses or tours, or arising out of the failure of one of our courses or tours to take place as advertised, is limited to the sum of monies paid to us by you in connection with such course or tour. No life, health, accident, theft, baggage, third-party liability or other insurance coverage is carried on your behalf or otherwise provided to you in connection with Rannoch courses and tours, except as may be specifically confirmed by Rannoch in writing and paid for in advance by you. Rannoch Corporation is relying exclusively on your representations that your health, general physical condition and mental faculties are adequate to engage in the strenuous, demanding activities associated with steam railroading. Before confirming your booking for a Rannoch Course or tour, you may be required to attest in writing to the state of your health and acknowledge that you are assuming exclusive responsibility for all risks associated with the course or tour you are booking.
Contact Information Please contact us regarding your interest in steam railroading:
- Contact Form
- Jump to our contact form page.
- Toll Free Telephone (in North America)
- 1-888-571-3061
- Telephone from Other Countries
- 1-972-239-8198
- FAX
- 1-530-325-8830
- Postal address
- 12700 Hillcrest, Suite 272
- Dallas, TX 75230
USA - Electronic mail
- Rannoch eMail