On 14-16 April we were present at the third International Tourism Fair of Industrial Heritage and Underground Tourism in Zabrze. At our stand we have presented a selection of photos of our collection and a few small exhibits related to railways and travel. The attracting elements were glowing oil lamps, carried by us active conductor carbide lanterns and – of course, a railway uniforms from different eras. Indeed, the “railway men” had to have a good presentation among uniforms of miners from Poland and Saxony …

Within three days, during the fairs there was presented a number of exhibitors from Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Saxony and France. But the most visible and attractive tourist offer was the hosts offer – presenting the individual elements of the Silesian Industrial Heritage Route. The city of Zabrze was presented interestingly by two coal mines – Historic Coal Mine “Guido”and Heritage Mining Park “Queen Louise”. Interesting presentations were on film presenting the water supply equipment belonging to the Upper Silesia Water Plant Company-Zawada Karchowice. Central Museum of Firefighting in Mysłowice was also richly presented.

PSMK on this type, prestigious trade fairs exhibited for the first time. We were also the only one strictly railway exhibitors, although it has to be admitted that the topic of historic railway has been highlighted in materials of the city Mulhouse (France), where there is one of the larges Europe railway museum, in the brochure devoted to Heritage Route (here presented Vienna Railway Museum in Czestochowa – so dull recently considered by decision-makers) as well as in publications of Museum of Nature and Technology in Starachowice (narrow gauge railways brochures about the Starachowice area).

This year fair edition, somehow more modest than the previous one (probably due to the change of the date of organization) again gave the opportunity to both visitors and exhibitors to see the achievements in the protection of historical heritage of technic. From the proposals, presentations and materials it could be seen clearly, for example that unlike many (even if so established) institutions – the Upper Silesia region, local authorities and cities are keen interest in cultivating the technical tradition – so important for all of us – the present generation of the industrial era . It is unfortunate that the experiences and achievements of Upper Silesia inhabitants do not derive inspiration stewards of other regions of our country. And yet the history is not just battlefields, tombs and palaces of princes – but all above worth to commemorate the daily effort of millions that went in the past, our fellow citizens. Why this effort – ours – is to be forgotten, nameless?

This message was particularly evident during the exhibition of photographs, depicting a variety of people working in factories in eight European countries. The guiding idea of those photographs was highlighted by the place – exhibition was organized … 320 meters underground, in the compressor chamber preserved Historic Coal Mine “Guido. ”

For our team, participating in fairs, in addition to promoting PSMK was also an opportunity to participate in the seminar “Industrial heritage in tourism policy for sustainable development“, organized under the VIII International Scientific-Practical Conference (Zabrze 13th April) and in number of interesting excursions. To learn how the “technical-heritage” industry works, we visited “Queen Louise”, Historic Coal Mine “Guido” and the friends of the Society for the Organization of Heritage Park and the Protecting Heritage Railway in Pyskowice.

Completion of the roof review of the machines room allowed to carry out maintenance work settled in the corner of the main hall axle lathe. So far, due to the observed leaks, electrical power supply was disconnected and machine itself was protected from water. Currently, electrical system could be reviewed and also for the first time in almost twenty years the machine was started up after the initial review and lubrication. The axle lathe set in Skierniewice was the largest of its kind machine tool in Warsaw Railway Direction during the steam engines era. Dated to 1931 machine, weighing – trifle! – 56 tonnes is sized to turning the largest steam engines axles used on the PKP with diameter up to 2100 mm.

Collected by PSMK collection of railroad memorabilia for more than two decades, in addition to – the most spectacular – rolling stock it includes many other areas that making up the railway. Almost two years ago, at least in a modest range, due to housing shortages we have enabled shows the elements of communication collection – the automatic Siemens telephone exchange. Currently, we plan to provide another department – traffic control devices (TCD). In the field of TCD, PSMK has an extensive collection dozens of semaphores and many types of internal devices. Now some of them – different types of interlocking control machines and cooperating with them, block devices, we want to be available for visitors (and what is important – to give opportunity to a limited demonstration).

Because of the size and weight, the target of the exposition shape of TCD devices is planned on the basis of a specially adapted part of the workshop and office part in roundhouse building. This requires, unfortunately, a sizeable range of construction work and associated high costs with it. For now, we are bounded to other needs (a few thousand square meters of the roof on the roundhouse building needs to be repaired!) and we are forced to hang those plans for later…

However, in order to broaden opportunities to live our hobby up, as well as improve our Shed exhibition offer, we`ve predicted a staged oranization of a temporary exibition of TCD devices. In planned, placed in our warehouse, exibition we wish to present part of the collection, which will consist: key devices – the Eng. Zazulak transmission box and P46 transmission box – in several versions, with contiguous block devices, mechanical centralized interlock, mechanical distance post interlock and electric slide interlock.

This is a challenging, labor-and time-consuming task, so we invite people interested in TCD to cooperate with their assembly and exposing. We plan opening of the exhibition no earlier than autumn of this year. Opening date will largely depend on the possibility of obtaining funds, even a modest for adaptation of the warehouse.

On February 25th-27th, on the invitation of the City Council of Skierniewice, we`ve participated with the Council in the seventeenth edition of the Fairs – Touristic Regions Where The Cultures Meet. The fair is organized annually by the Lodz International Fairs. During this year’s exhibition we were promoting, what is interesting for tourists in Skierniewice. We have emphasized the role of the city, as the national capital of agricultural and fruit growing. Also advertised the monuments at the forefront of the coming from seventeenth century, a beautiful palace village with the bishop’s palace, the seat once known – most of the literary output – Bishop Ignacy Krasicki. But visually Skierniewice exhibition stand was devoted to the beauty of the old railway. Skierniewice, however, was the first railway junction chronologically in the Polish Kingdom. Already in 1845 you could get away from here by train in three directions – to Warsaw, Łowicz and Rogów …

Skierniewice are also a place where stands the oldest preserved today – still functionally linked to the rail – roundhouse. The city can also boast a beautiful “gateway” – a clean, neat, 135-year-old railway station. And that is why large photo of the station platform, hung on the rear walls of the stand gave the impression of perspective and space. A first plan was arranged with several of our exhibits for the viewers. Railway impression fill up a fellows, dressed in railway uniforms from 1960-1990 period. Unusual arrangement and commitment of people running the stand – Council staff and us – the members PSMK have been fully appreciated.

City Council of Skierniewice has been awarded this year one of the two main prizes, awarded by the jury of fairs, to the best exhibitors. The prize is the more valuable that the highest fair award was granted to the City for the first time.

We congratulate the City Council of Skierniewice and also to our members – co-authors of the succes.