Busy rails ahead of Christmas

The new railway timetable takes a bit of getting used to. There are two more pairs of express trains hammering down the tracks between Piaseczno and Warka – I especially like the loco-hauled ones.

Below: the northbound TLK Lubomirski express (on its way from Zakopane to Kołobrzeg) approaches Chynów station on the southbound (down) track; it's overtaking a northbound Koleje Mazowieckie service that's just stopped at the northbound (up) platform. Note the red light on the front of the loco, indicating that it's running on the 'wrong' track. This procedure means the local train doesn't have to wait several minutes to let the express pass it on the main line. Running resumes along the normal track on the other side of Chynów station. 

Below: just beyond the level crossing on ulica Spokojna, between Chynów and Węszelówka, a southbound InterCity train, the Siekiewicz, bound for Kraków. It's on the northbound (''up') line. Again, note the red light on the front along with the two white lights, denoting that it's not where it should be.

Below: same spot, literally 30 seconds later, a southbound Koleje Mazowieckie train heading for Radom, on the right track, having been overtaken by the express a kilometre or so south of Chynów station. Travelling on this service on Saturday evening, it reeked of perfume and booze! Christmas comes but once a year...

Below: ten minutes later, another train passes. This time, it's the southbound Lubomirski, heading for Zakopane. It's nearly 80 minutes late; unless that local service above is held at Warka, the delay will extend.

Below: level crossing at Janów, about halfway between Krężel and Michalczew stations. Light drizzle.

Below: there in the distance, the lights of Michalczew station. It's a ten-minute walk; my train home is in 15 minutes' time;

From hobbling to limping to walking with a limp to walking with a slight limp – two weeks on, Today's the fifth day of my return to an average 12,000 paces a day. I can't run, but pain-free walking has been achieved.

Below: the abandoned goods yard by Chynów station. The tracks were ripped out in 2020. Today this empty space acts as an informal station car park during weekdays. Interesting to consider by when this hectare of well-located land might be developed.

UPDATE 23.12.2024: Today's TLK Lubomirski running to time, and on the right track – because the 13:16 Koleje Mazowieckie service from Radom is ten minutes late.

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