We invite you to read the report from the spring visit to the workshops of the KWB “Konin” Mining Railway.
On March 29, 2025, another exceptional event organized by Zrobotyzowani took place – a photo walk through the railway facilities of the “Konin” Lignite Mine. Thanks to the hospitality of PAK KWB Konin S.A. and PAK Górnictwo Sp. z o.o., we spent a day in Kazimierz Biskupi, where we discovered the secrets of the Mining Railway together.
Introduction to the industrial adventure
On Saturday morning, we met the event participants at the water tower in Konin. After a brief discussion of safety rules, distribution of reflective vests, and ticket verification, we set off by bus towards Kazimierz Biskupi – the heart of the Mining Railway. For the second day in a row, we were accompanied by the historic Slovenian TAM, which comfortably transported us between the tour’s program points.
Upon arrival, we were welcomed by representatives of the Mining Railway – Mr. Andrzej Rudziński, Marek Pilarczyk, and Mirosław Krzymiński – who guided three groups of participants during the tour. After checking the attendance list, we divided into three groups – one of which even included participants from Germany and Italy! This is just proof of how unique the Konin LEW EL2 locomotives, known as “Crocodiles,” are – they attract enthusiasts from all over Europe.
Have you ever seen how train traffic is controlled in the heart of a mining railway, where the “Crocodiles” come to life before your eyes?
Join our upcoming events and uncover this and other secrets of the Mining Railway!
The Locomotive Depot – the realm of “Crocodiles” and “Tamaras”
Let’s follow one of the groups. The first stop on the tour was the locomotive depot, which turned out to be a true paradise for “Crocodile” enthusiasts. Here, we could see the legendary EL2 locomotives undergoing inspections and repairs. Their massive silhouettes, distinctive side pantographs, and technical details, along with the surrounding monumental machines and cranes, amazed the participants.
In addition to the “Crocodiles,” we had the chance to see other units, such as the TEM2 (nicknamed “Tamara”) or the SM42 (nicknamed “Stonka”). Participants eagerly captured photos of their external details as well as the interiors of the driver’s cabins, which were specially made accessible for the day. Since it is becoming increasingly difficult to photograph coal trains in motion, the locomotive depot was the place where mining locomotive enthusiasts could take the most memorable photos.
Signal Box – the heart of train control
The visit to the railway signal box was another fascinating highlight of the program. Here, we could see how train traffic is managed on the Mining Railway. Classic control panels, levers, switches, and track diagrams created a unique industrial atmosphere for photos, especially with the “Crocodiles” in motion in the background!
The dispatchers passionately shared stories about their work, demonstrating how they set up train routes and ensure safety on the tracks. The opportunity to capture the details of the railway infrastructure through the lens was a real treat for the participants. The conversations with the dispatchers were so engaging that one could talk with them for hours – definitely a topic for another tour that would allow for an even deeper dive into the secrets of their work.
A heartfelt thank you to Sławomir Miętkiewski, the shift foreman of the Mining Railway signal box, for his hospitality!
Rolling Stock Maintenance Workshops – Precision and Technology
The final stop on the program was the wagon depot, where we could witness the daily work of maintaining railway rolling stock from the perspective of a master. Especially for us, a press was activated, and a wagon was lifted on the powerful Kutruff jacks, allowing us to take a close look underneath. Participants enthusiastically photographed the details of the wagons’ safety and heating systems. There was also an opportunity to peek inside the self-discharging wagons used to transport lignite. For those interested, the differences between the Czech 410V self-discharging wagons and the Polish WAP wagons were explained – now no one will confuse them when spotting a coal train in motion!
As expected, the workshop boiler room attracted particular interest from the participants. For the first time, Zrobotyzowani had the chance to visit this facility. In smaller subgroups, we explored all floors of the boiler room – undoubtedly unique on a national scale! Some groups were even lucky enough to witness the coal-feeding process, which further enriched the visit to this site.
Special thanks go to the employees of PAK Górnictwo, who guided the participant groups during this part of the tour, especially Mr. Tomasz Szymański – the senior master who showed us around the boiler room, and Mr. Sławomir Maciaszczyk – a worker from the wagon repair workshops.
We received answers to all, even the most unusual and detailed questions, making every participant feel as if they were on a private tour! 😊
A Return Full of Inspiration
The highlight of the tour was the group photo taken in front of the locomotive depot entrance with the 401Da locomotive in the background. This photo served as a symbol of the fading world of “Crocodiles,” which will likely pull coal trains less frequently and instead be towed more often by shunting locomotives like the mentioned “Duck.”
After an intense day full of experiences and photographic challenges, the participants returned to Konin aboard the historic TAM. The return journey was an opportunity to share impressions, review captured shots, and exchange inspiration with other participants. The “Photo Walk through the Railway Facilities of KWB Konin” was an unforgettable journey into the industrial world and a chance to develop a passion for photography. The dedication and passion of the people working in this place were as inspiring as the monumental locomotives we had the chance to admire. We will remember this visit for a long time!
Check out the first day of the event – mining in its purest form!
Thank you to all participants for the time spent together, and we already invite you to join us on future technical journeys! 🐊
Sounds like a fantastic day? See where we’re heading next:
The Zrobotyzowani team and all “Crocodile” enthusiasts hope this wasn’t the last visit to KWB Konin. A heartfelt thank you to the event hosts – this event wouldn’t have been possible without the fantastic collaboration with PAK KWB Konin S.A., PAK Górnictwo Sp. z o.o., and the Mining Railway, to whom we once again extend our deepest gratitude for their significant contribution to our joint ventures.
Special recognition goes to our guides at the railway workshops: Mr. Andrzej Rudziński, Marek Pilarczyk, Mirosław Krzymiński, Sławomir Maciaszczyk, Tomasz Szymański, and Sławomir Miętkiewski.
Photos were taken by Maciej Kacprzak, Jakub Kisieliński, Paulina Kozłowska, and Karol Lubaczewski.
The report was prepared by Paulina Kozłowska.
