Trip Description
Last chance to capture industrial history through your lens!
Join us on Saturday, July 5, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, to discover how railway traffic control works on the industrial railway of the KWB Konin mine, ensuring that trains traverse the track network safely and without disruption every day. Have you ever wondered what makes it so that on complex railway infrastructure, no train gets lost or collides with another? Now you have a chance to look behind the scenes of this system! Whether you are fascinated by railway technology and railway traffic safety, or you simply want to experience an exciting adventure in a unique place – this event is for you.
Zrobotyzowani invite you on an exceptional educational trip to the heart of the Mining Railways of the Konin Lignite Mine. Thanks to the courtesy of PAK KWB Konin S.A. and PAK Górnictwo sp. z o.o., we will open doors to facilities normally inaccessible. You will explore the industrial railway from the inside: from the signalman’s rooms to the rolling stock workshops. We will visit key traffic posts – signal boxes KWg, Estakada Wschód, Przesmyk Gaj, and Drzewce – where you will learn how traffic controllers “set signals and points,” ensuring the safe passage of trains. We will peek into the mysterious relay room, full of electrical devices monitoring every signal. Furthermore, participants will visit the technical facilities of the Mining Railways: the Locomotive Depot in Kazimierz Biskupi and wagon repair workshops – you will see where the powerful LEW EL2 “Crocodile” electric locomotives and special coal wagons are serviced. But that’s not all – we have also prepared specialist presentations. You will learn, among other things, how a railway turnout is constructed and how route interlocking (locking the train’s path) prevents collisions. This will be technical knowledge that is hard to find in books or on the internet, presented in an accessible way by expert practitioners.
The role of the guide will be played by Mr. Andrzej Rudziński himself – Director of the KWB Konin Mining Railways. This incredibly experienced expert will take us on a journey through the world of the mine railway, sharing interesting facts and his first-hand experience. This is an unusual opportunity to learn from a man who is responsible for the daily operation of this unique mining railway. His passion and knowledge will make even the most complex issues understandable and fascinating.
An integral part of the expedition will be the atmosphere of industrial tourism – even the transport to the site by a vintage TAM190 bus will provide unique experiences. This restored, historic bus will provide us with comfortable travel between all program points, simultaneously transporting participants to a bygone era. You will feel the atmosphere of old times before you even set foot on the mine tracks. This is an additional attraction that distinguishes our event – a journey through time on the wheels of a motoring legend!
The year 2025 may be the last moment to see the Konin mine railway in its full glory before technological and economic changes alter its face. The closure of the Lignite Mine in Konin is planned for the first quarter of 2026. For decades, the Mining Railways with a network of almost 120 km of tracks transported millions of tons of coal to power plants, being the true heart of the region and the foundation of local industry. Now you can see its operation from behind the scenes. This is a unique opportunity to spend a day in an operating mine railway infrastructure, where industrial trains run according to their own rules, yet with the highest safety standards. Charge your camera, prepare your notebook to absorb knowledge – an adventure awaits you that you will not forget for a long time on the Zrobotyzowani Educational Path!
🔜 Trip type: Educational Path, Photo Walk
📅 Date: July 5, 2025 (Saturday)
⏰ Start time: 10:00 AM
📍 Meeting point: Water tower next to the railway station in Konin, Kolejowa 1 A, 62-510 Konin
⏳ Duration: Approximately 7 hours
👥 Number of places: Limited
🚌 Transport: Bus
🚗 Traveling by own car (following the tour, chasing): Not possible!
👖 Attire: long trousers, shoes with stable thick soles
🔢 Minimum age of event participant: 12 years
💳 Ticket purchase: exclusively electronically via the GoOut portal
✍️ By purchasing a ticket for the event, you accept our regulations
Trip Plan – Schedule
An adventure in the world of railway safety,
that will stay with you forever
We will depart from Konin by atmospheric TAM190 bus, which will provide us with comfortable access to all attractions on the mine site. The journey itself in this vintage vehicle will be a foretaste of the experiences awaiting – you will feel the atmosphere of bygone years, traversing the route leading through the picturesque areas of Greater Poland to the mine infrastructure. On site, before we begin the tour, we will have a short OHS training and discussion of the rules for moving around industrial facilities – participant safety is our top priority. You will receive reflective vests, after which our guide will present the day’s plan and divide us into smaller groups so that the tour runs smoothly and everyone can enjoy the attractions.
Next, we will open the doors to the technical workshops of the Mining Railways for you. The first stop will be the locomotive depot in Kazimierz Biskupi – the true heart of the technical facilities. You will see up close the legends of industrial railways: powerful EL2 “Crocodile” locomotives, which may be undergoing inspections or minor repairs, and next to them smaller auxiliary machines (e.g., diesel shunting locomotives). In the huge locomotive depot hall, you will smell grease and ozone from the traction network, look into the drivers’ cabins, and see a technical monument, which are the side pantographs of these electric locomotives. Here you will learn how the efficiency of locomotives that pull heavy coal trains every day is maintained. A lunch break is planned in the middle of the day – participants will be able to rest and eat (for those interested, a pre-ordered lunch will be available in two options: meat or vegetarian).
Traffic control in practice – signal boxes and relay rooms
The culmination of the trip will be the most important part – a visit to the railway traffic control center. We will visit several railway signal boxes located throughout the KWB Konin network: KWg, Estakada Wschód, Przesmyk Gaj, and Drzewce. Each of them is a key traffic control point on a different section of this extensive industrial network. Upon entering the signal box, you will immediately feel the atmosphere of old times – a classic mosaic panel (control panel) with a track diagram, dozens of colorful lights, switches, and buttons will spread out before you. It is on such a panel that the traffic controller sets the route for the train: sets the points, closes the appropriate circuits, and gives the go-ahead signal on the semaphore. The controllers will passionately tell us how they coordinate the movement of several dozen trains a day on a network of tens of kilometers of tracks – we will hear about the procedures and rules used, which guarantee that each train moves safely and efficiently.
We will also look into the relay room – a room next to the signal box where hundreds of relays responsible for executing the controller’s commands quietly click. It is a kind of brain of the system – a system of electrical interlocks and dependencies. Thanks to it, it is impossible, for example, to set conflicting routes: when one route is interlocked (blocked for the passage of a train), other possibilities that could threaten safety are automatically closed. The controller will show us how signals from the panel bring the entire network of relays to life, which in turn set the semaphores to green or red, lock the points, and control the detection of the train on track sections. You will see with your own eyes the mechanisms guarding railway traffic safety – it is thanks to them that trains have been running without accidents in the mine for several decades.
During the tour of the signal boxes, we have planned special presentations. An infrastructure maintenance expert will present to us the principle of operation of a railway turnout (popularly known as points). We will examine the elements of the turnout on the tracks up close. We will learn how point drives, locking mechanisms, and blade position control sensors work – that is, how the signal box “knows” that the turnout has actually set itself in the correct position. This mini-lecture will allow you to better understand why a train can safely pass through a turnout even with a heavy load. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions to our specialists – they will be happy to share their knowledge about other interesting devices, such as light signals, warning discs, or the radio communication system, which you will also see during the trip.
At the end, full of impressions and with our heads richer in new knowledge, we will gather again and the historic TAM190 bus will take us back to Konin. During the return journey, there will be time for conversations, sharing emotions and reflections with other participants – such experiences are not kept to oneself! Around 5:00 PM, we will arrive at the meeting point in Konin, where we will officially end our trip. We will say goodbye, but the experiences and knowledge gained will stay with you forever – you will surely remember this day for a long time, looking at the photos taken and sharing stories with friends.
Why is it worth it?
A unique opportunity to get to know the mining railway from the inside and touch living industrial history!
This event may not be repeated. The KWB Konin Mining Railways network is nearing the end of its mission in its current form – now is your moment to see it in action before it becomes history. If you have ever dreamed of standing in the heart of an operating mine and feeling the power of an industrial railway, don’t hesitate. Such an opportunity may not happen again, and in the future, you will only see this place in archival photos.
Enter where only a few have daily access! Gain access to nooks and crannies that are usually reserved exclusively for mine employees. Signal boxes, relay rooms, locomotive depot, workshops – all these facilities will open their doors to you. See what daily work looks like in places that are normally closed to visitors. This is true industrial tourism at its best – not a museum or open-air museum, but a living, operating industrial organism that you can get to know from the inside.
Learn the secrets of railway traffic safety first-hand. Our trip is more than just sightseeing – it’s a living lesson in engineering and safety. You will learn directly from specialists how modern (though based on classic relay technology) control systems prevent accidents and downtime. You will gain knowledge that you won’t find in textbooks or on the internet – about relay-based interlocking systems, route interlocking, line block systems, and many other puzzles of the railway world. You can later show off this knowledge among fellow technology enthusiasts!
Experience an amazing adventure in an industrial atmosphere. Let yourself be absorbed by the atmosphere of huge machines, steel structures, and the smell of grease. A ride on a vintage TAM190 bus will add a nostalgic charm to the trip – you will feel as if you have traveled back several decades. On site, the atmosphere of working electric locomotives, railway signals, and operating devices will make you truly feel the pulse of industry. This is a treat for railway enthusiasts, but also for anyone who wants to experience the power of Polish industry first-hand. Every step of this trip is a new inspiration and emotion that is hard to find in everyday life.
Learn from the best – an expert guide at your fingertips. We will be accompanied throughout the trip by Andrzej Rudziński, a man who knows this railway like the back of his hand. This is not just sightseeing, but also an opportunity to talk to a true expert on the subject. Our guide will be happy to answer questions, share anecdotes from many years of work on the mine railway, and reveal interesting facts that you won’t read about in any article. Such close contact with an expert is an added value that makes a trip with Zrobotyzowani a unique educational experience.
Comfort and safety of participants – guaranteed. We provide professional organization from start to finish. The journey will take place in a comfortable bus (additionally, this bus is a vintage vehicle, which makes it even more pleasant!), on site, experienced supervisors will ensure safety, and before the tour, you will undergo OHS training so that everyone feels confident even in difficult terrain. You don’t have to worry about logistical details – we will take care of transport, protective equipment, and the schedule, so that you can fully focus on learning and soaking up the impressions.
⏳ Don’t delay – the number of places is limited! Registration starts today at 8:00 PM, so book your place and join us on this unforgettable trip. You won’t find such a combination of knowledge, adventure, and passion anywhere else. See for yourself why trains at KWB Konin run safely – we are waiting for you!
Join us!
Don’t wait – the number of places is limited! Sign up today and experience something that will stay in your memory for a long time. Bring your camera, open your hearts to new experiences, and let the industrial world of KWB Konin inspire you to create unforgettable photos.
Industry is waiting for you. Are you ready to discover it?
Booking and Payments
Ticket prices are as follows:
- Standard ticket without meals — 329.00 PLN;
- Standard ticket with meat lunch — 349.00 PLN;
- Standard ticket with vegetarian lunch — 349.00 PLN;
- Reduced ticket (persons 12-17 years) without meals — 263.20 PLN;
- Reduced ticket (persons 12-17 years) with meat lunch — 279.20 PLN;
- Reduced ticket (persons 12-17 years) with vegetarian lunch — 279.20 PLN;
The given price includes VAT and is the final price for participation in the event.
Registration for the event will start on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 8:00 PM.
By registering for the event, you accept the General Terms and Conditions along with the personal data processing policy, which is Annex No. 1 to the GTC.
Please direct all questions to the Organizers by email: hello@zrobotyzowani.com.pl or by phone: +48 792 755 838
Meeting Point
Connections
Getting to the meeting point – most conveniently by train 🚆
The most convenient way to reach the meeting point is by train, which avoids parking problems and ensures a comfortable journey.
- Choosing a connection:
- Check the train schedule on the carrier’s website or in the mobile app to find the most convenient connection.
- It is worth choosing trains with shorter travel times or direct connections to avoid transfers.
- Destination station:
- The nearest railway station is KONIN, from where it is easy to reach the meeting point.
- After arriving at the station, you can use public transport, a taxi, or a short walk if the distance is small.
- Tips for travelers:
- Tickets: We recommend purchasing tickets in advance to avoid queues on the day of departure.
- Arrival time: Please plan your journey so as to arrive at the meeting point with adequate time to spare.
- Luggage: Remember to bring all necessary items, including water, appropriate clothing, and photographic equipment
Traveling by train is not only convenient but also an opportunity to relax before starting a day full of impressions. 🚉
Below we present our proposed train travel options that may help you plan your route:
Important Information
⚡Safety and Attire
Each participant of the trip is obliged to wear long trousers covering the ankle and comfortable, stable footwear with a thick sole. Persons dressed inconsistently with the above rules will not be allowed to participate in the tour.
🎒 Bring with you
- Passport or ID card
- Provisions
- Drinking water
- School/student ID
➕ Good to know
- The number of places is limited.
- The trip is an event that is not a tourist package.
- Reservations are subject to the order of applications, and the condition for obtaining confirmation of reservation is payment for the event.
- By registering for the event, you accept the General Terms and Conditions along with the personal data processing policy, which is Annex No. 1 to the GTC.
- In accordance with the requirements of Kopalnia Węgla Brunatnego “Konin” S.A., all participants are obliged to provide their full name, identity document number, and residential address in a specially prepared encrypted form, which will be sent approximately 2 weeks before the trip to the participant’s email address provided in the reservation.
- Admission may not be granted if the name and identity document number provided in the reservation are not identical to the name and identity document number shown on the identity document presented at the entrance.
- For reasons beyond the Organizer’s control, the trip may be canceled. The client will receive a full refund of payments made.
- ♿ Due to the specificity of industrial facilities and their infrastructure, unfortunately, we are unable to provide appropriate conditions for the participation of persons with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs. 🙏 We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
Our Gadgets
Mining equipment also on our gadgets! 🛠️
If you are fascinated by the world of industry and mining, we have something special for you! At Zrobki.pl you will find unique gadgets inspired by the LEW EL2 Crocodiles, which you can take home with you.
👉 Go to Zrobki.pl and check out our offer!
Don’t wait – our gadgets are very popular, and the number of products is limited. See what we have prepared and choose something that will remind you of this unique trip!
Take the next step and show your passion for Crocodiles – visit Zrobki.pl now! 🚀
FAQ AND INFORMATION OBLIGATION TO THE CUSTOMER
👉 Browse the FAQ and find the answer to your question in seconds!
This is a quick and convenient way to clear up doubts and save time. However, if you don’t find the information you need there, you can always write to us – we’ll be happy to help!
If you couldn’t find the answer you were looking for or if you have trouble filling out the form, we encourage you to contact us.
We accept applications for the event exclusively via the form available on the website https://zrobotyzowani.com.pl/bilety/kwb-srk-2025
In random cases, independent of the organizer – we reserve the right to cancel events.
Legal Disclaimer
The content provided on this website in English is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a binding offer as defined by applicable law. The binding offer is exclusively the Polish version of the event description, which complies with Polish law. In the event of any discrepancies or inconsistencies between the English and Polish versions, the Polish version shall prevail.
By using this website, you acknowledge and agree that the Organizer is not liable for any misunderstandings or misinterpretations arising from the translation of the content into English.
When purchasing a ticket, we encourage you to give voluntary consent for marketing contact.
This will allow us to directly send additional information such as meeting points, additional connections, or information about our next Technical Trips.
