Mayhem on PKP

Shortly before my train from Łódź was due to arrive back in Warsaw, just outside W-wa Włochy station, it ground to a halt. The reason was obvious as soon as I looked out of the window - the engines has ripped the overhead lines, destroying the pantographs and leaving a long trail of cable behind us.

The conductor whizzed down the corridors telling passengers not to leave the train, as the cable may well be live. Very soon afterwards, another conductor told us that we free to leave and make our way towards W-wa Włochy, from where we could catch a suburban train into town.

Above: Passengers make it down from the train. Behind the carriage to the right, the ball of chewed-up cable. Below: The Tuwim 15:58 Łódź Fabryczna to W-wa Wschodnia, hauled by EU07-128 and EP07-370. Note both engines have had their pantographs removed; it also looks like the cable whipped round and smashed the side window of the second engine's cab.

We got to W-wa Zachodnia without any further problems, but passengers waiting for eastbound services were informed that their trains would be severely delayed.

Article here in Polish

Earlier this year, a similar thing happened on the line from St Pancras to Luton Airport. The resulting chaos meant I missed my flight home. Britain has become overly obsessed with health and safety (the line was entirely shut down from Kentish Town to Radlett); I'm beginning to notice that Poland is overtaking Britain as a Land of Common Sense.

This time last year:
"You'll look funny when you're fifty"
Autumn proper began 7 October - three weeks later than this year
Ul. Nawłocka gets sewerage - why don't we get sewerage?