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Szamotuły–Międzychód railway

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Szamotuły–Międzychód
Overview
Statusclosed
LocalePoland
Termini
Service
TypeHeavy rail
Route number368
History
Opened1907; 117 years ago (1907)
Closed1995 passenger services
1996 freight services
Technical
Line length57 km (35 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrificationno
Operating speed60 km/h (37 mph)

The Szamotuły–Międzychód railway is a former Polish 57-kilometre long railway line, that connected Szamotuły with Międzychód.

Opening

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The line was opened in four stages:[1][2]

  • October 1907: Szamotuły - Binino, Chrzypsko Wielkie - Międzychód
  • April 1908: Binino - Nojewo, Nojewo - Chrzypsko Wielkie

Modernisation

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In 1977-1978 a major overhaul of the line took place, including stabilising embankments, replacement of wooden sleepers with concrete sleepers and replacement of the track.[3]

In 2004, the first plans to take over the line from PKP PLK and launch passenger services were announced, but this did not lead to anything.[4] In 2012, a proposal was made to build a cycle route along the course of the railway, but this met negative feedback from residents.[5]

Closure

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In 1995, passenger traffic was suspended along the route. Freight services were suspended from 3 May 1996 between Sieraków Wielkopolski and Szamotuły.[6] In later years, freight trains only ran between Sieraków Wielkopolski and Międzychód.[7]

Despite the suspension of traffic on the line in 1996, the railway line remained in the list of railway lines of national importance until 2000.[8][9]

Usage

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In the 1970s, passenger traffic from the station in Sierakowie was about 4,800 people per month, but this steadily decreased to 3,200 people in 1990.[10] Since 2000, the line has occasionally been used for tourist trains using steam engines.[11]

In August 2016, the section between Sieraków Wielkopolski and Lesionkami was used for manual trolley rides.

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See also

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References

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