Polish Trams 3 - Łódź & Wrocław
We welcome you to
this, the third programme in our Polish Trams series of DVDs. This time the independent transport
videos cameras visit the cities of Łódź and Wrocław.
We begin in Łódź,
which is Poland’s third largest city located some 120 km southwest of the
capital Warsaw. Electric trams began
operating here in 1898 and the system is now one of Poland’s largest tram
networks covering some 147 km with 21, routes both urban and interurban on
metre gauge track. The operator is MPK Łódź
and the trams feature a deep red and yellow livery, with some trams carrying
overall advert liveries. Some
second-hand trams still carry the liveries of their former operators such as
former Bochum (Germany) Duewag trams (grey and red), and former Helsinki Duewag
1519, smartly turned out in Helsinki green and cream. The tram fleet at the time of filming in June
2018 consisted of a large number of Konstal 805N/Na trams of which many have been
modernised and various Duewag trams from the German fleets of Bielefeld, RNV
(via Helsinki) and Bochum. Newer
low-floor trams are Bombardier Cityrunner and Polish built PESA Tramicus
and Swing models. We see heritage tram number 154, a Konstal 5N on route
120 – 120 representing the 120th anniversary of tram operation in
the city. Our filming takes place in the
city centre and along the interurban routes.
Locations include Zachodnia, Legionów, Plac Wolności, Pomorska,
Franciszkańska and Nowomiejska. A short
ride is taken on former Bochum Duewag number 301. A further ride is taken on Konstal 805Na,
1724+1725 to the junction of Narutowicza and Jana Kilińskiego. Action at the impressive tram station at
Piotrkowska Centrum is recorded, where most types of tram are seen passing
through as well as historic tram 154.
Further filming takes place out of the city at Włókniarzy, Zdrowie and
Konstantynowska. A ride back to the city
onboard former Bochum Duewag 316 is taken to complete our filming.
The second part of this DVD programme is
filmed in Poland’s fourth largest city – Wrocław, some 350 km to the south west
of Warsaw. Electric trams began operating
here in 1893 and today the system comprises some 87 km of standard gauge track,
covering 21 routes. The trams are operated
by MPK Wrocław in a mostly blue and
white livery. The latest trams wear an
overall deep blue metallic livery. These
are interesting trams in that they are mostly built to high-floor specification
with a low-floor centre section. Built by Polish manufacturer Modertrans, they
are the Moderus Beta MF model.
The rest of the fleet is made up of the Konstal 105Na, various Protram
variations (some rebuilt from Konstal 105Na trams), Škoda 16T and 19T trams and
the latest PESA Twist tram. We
see historic tram 1+2, which is of the Berolina type built in 1901. Our filming locations include Kwiska, Rynek,
Galeria Dominikańska, Plac Grunwaldzki, Curie-Skłodowskiej, Wajdy and Hala
Stulecia. Six rides are taken during our
visit covering a number of tram types.
These include PESA Twist, Protram 105NWr, Modertrans Moderus
Beta and Konstal 105Na types.
Further locations include Biskupin, Dworzec Autobusowy, Dworzec Głowny,
Piłsudskiego, Swidnicka, Opera and Leśnica.
Wrocław is a very picturesque city as you will see from this programme,
and with trams to match we are sure you will enjoy your visit!