According to the five-year-long tradition, on the third Saturday of May, the Engine Shed Skierniewice could be visited on nighttime during the European Night of Museums. The initiative began modestly in 2010, when for the first time, together with our colleagues from Rogów-Rawa-Biała Narrow Gauge railway we invited residents of Warsaw to visit us at night. On the following year the audience was broaden to include guests from Łódź. Nevertheless, the attendance of occupants of Skierniewice was nominal and the Shed was the only institution in Skierniewice to participate in the country-wide Night of Museums. With time, local population was more interested in the initiative and so did other cultural institutions from the town upon Łupia River. Last year we fully devoted our offer to the citizens of Skierniewice and individual guest and resigned from the special trains from Łódź and Warsaw. It was also thanks to us that the City Council of Skierniewice organized special bus route which connected all points of interest during this special night. Today, nearly all important institutions and clubs from Skierniewice take part in the Night of Museums and the event itself is participated by hundreds, if not thousands, visitors from Skierniewice and nearby towns.
During short four hours of admittance we were visited by 825 guests who could sightsee several illuminated exhibitions.
Thanks to the perfect weather, we could present our rolling stock collection outdoors. On track № 59 stood the battery shunting engine AEG from 1928 coupled together with tank car from 1905 and box car of French origin. Tracks in front of the roundhouse were occupied by a flatcar with narrow gauge engine „Las”, tank engines class TKt48-39 and TKh 2949 „Ferrum”. There was also the inspection motor cart WM5-872, accompanied by a massive, 10-ton-lifting crane, 3rd class coach of type „Steinfurt”, firefighting tank car 12C1 (former tender) and small shunting diesel engine class Ls40-4572 with American flat car. The tank engine class TKp 102 took the honorable place on the turntable. Of course one could also see the engines permanently exhibited outside: Pd5-17, Ol49-4 and both „work horses” of type Ty. It was also the first Night of Museums for the diesel shunter class Ls60-143.
The interactive exhibition of signal box equipment was the main point of interest among younger visitors.
The special bus line was very busy that night. The passengers were awaited at the bus stop in front of the Shed by the guide dressed in historical uniform.
Of course, there were much more historical uniforms to be seen…
We would like to express our gratitude to our guests and partners – the City Council of Skierniewice for taking us into account when preparing the special bus route and railway operators: Przewozy Regionalne and Koleje Mazowieckie, for preparing a special offer of free of charge return ticket for the participants of this event.
Partners of Railway Night of Museums
