Coal trains in June

Just because it's no longer -20C and nights no longer 17 hours long doesn't mean that Warsaw doesn't need prąd and plenty of it. The coal trains that run from W-wa Okęcie sidings to Siekierki power station via Konstancin-Jeziorna sidings are less frequent and less heavily loaded. Two engines provide sufficient motive power to get the full trains to Siekierki.

Above: Looking north from the level crossing on ul. Karczunkowska towards W-wa Dawidy. It looks like quite a dip between the camera's vantage point and where the train is; the difference is only some seven metres. The two engines (ST44-089 and SM48-114) are labouring hard up the modest incline, chucking out more soot than the power station itself.

Above: The train reaches the level crossing. It's moving slowly, to the frustration of motorists at the gates. Worth switching engines off while you wait; this is not 30 seconds at red lights.

Above: Nowa Iwiczna, before the single-track coal line reaches the main line at Nowa Iwiczna station. PCC Rail Coaltrans' TEM2-233 bringing a rake of empty trucks back to W-wa Okęcie.