In the middle of March we have signed one more subsidy agreement. City Council of Skierniewice in open submission granted us 6500 PLN for realization of task Adaptation of historic buildings for museum or cultural purposes. Together with the own capital of 1625 PLN it will be devoted for the most urgent track repairs in the Shed. Still, the amount is lower than we expected, so most of the works will have to be conducted with our own forces.

After receiving the money, but before starting any actual works, we will have to buy the required track materials and just then we will be ready for regeneration of the most damaged parts of the Shed’s track layout. The works will start probably on the turn of May and June, but we would already like to invite the volunteers to help.

In principle, the Engine Shed is not accessible to tourists outside the season, nevertheless we always try to respond to the requests of organized groups. Quite a common guests are the fans of vintage car or road vehicles. On Saturday, 19^th March, the Shed was visited by the first such group this year. During the event “Time for Mig”, about 50 enthusiasts of city transport took a trip along the roads of Skierniewice and nearby towns in two vintage buses.

The background for the excursion were the railways surrounding Skierniewice, and the main attraction – one of the oldest buses of Skierniewice mass transit operator (MZK) – Jelcz M11 (nicknamed “Mig”). According to the organizes, this vehicle (number plate ES 03213) from 1988 is one of the few of its kind still in working order. Jelcz buses arrived on the Skierniewice roads, dominated by Autosan H9-35 types, in late 1985 with the first models PR110. Soon the modernized model M11 also appeared here. The main attraction of the event is cruising the roads of Skierniewice without any relocation to other towns since it left the Jelcz factory.

From 26^th to 28^th February, as each year, we participated in touristic fairs in Łódź – Where Cultures Meet – and promoted the value of the historical Depo in Skierniewice and its collection. One could meet our colleagues at Shed’s stand, talk with them about the oncoming touristic season and receive promotional leaflets with Open Days calendar. For us it was also the opportunity to refresh old and establish new contact. We hope that new acquaintances will result in interesting joint projects.

As each year, between 26^th and 28^th February we will take part in Touristic Fairs in Łódź – Where Cultures Meet. This is one of two such events in which we participate regularly to promote the value of Skierniewice Engine Shed and its railway collection.

The fairs will take place in Expo Hall at Politechniki Alley 4 in Łódź. This time you can find us at a modest but our own stand (number 106). We would like to invite all interested to meet with us during those three days of Fairs.

Despite the forecast thaw, last Saturday (23^rd January) was exceptional cold. For the whole weekend temperature hardly exceeded 10 degrees below zero. Freezing cold combined with bright winter sun decorated every roof edge of Shed’s buildings with beautiful icicles.

Despite the frost, we did not gave up and run our errands in the shed.

On Saturday the floor of the future telephonic exchange room has been dusted and washed. Next, heavy-duty linoleum has been fitted and cut to the size of the room. For the next week it will be settling down under the pressure of heavy beams to facilitate refitting and glueing it on place.

Winter and all its attributes, snow and frost, slows down the activities in Skierniewice’s Shed. Work in cold is not easy. Multilayer clothing restricts movements and even gloved hands stiffen in contact with metal parts and tools. Even an after work wash-up may be unpleasant. Hot tea quickly gains the quality of a poor cold drink and an instant soup, when unattended becomes a cold cream.

Yet, there are moments when winter sights rewards for the inconveniences.

Fresh snow and sharp winter sunlight allows one to view the Shed from a different perspective. White coat covers everything hiding the flaws. Trees and rolling stock receive their own white blanket. Sun uncovers the long forgotten nooks.
One can also learn that we are not the only hosts of the Shed. The snow gives away all secrets – multiple trails of all more or less domestic animals.

The end of January is the usual time of settling the taxes for flat-rate taxpayers. This is why we would already like to remind you of the possibility of donating your 1% of income tax to PARE.

Why would you support exactly us? Because we are doing our best to multiply the received money for the good of technical heritage. In 2015:

• We received over 27 thousand PLN from 1% donation.
• Using the above money as initial capital, we received 100 thousand PLN of subsidies for rebuilding and refurbishing of the Shed’s buildings.
• Another 19 thousand PLN was provided by the sponsors for works connected with rolling stock.

Thanks to the resources received from 1% donation, subsidies of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the City Council of Skierniewice and sponsors like Freightliner PL and PKP Cargo:

• We rebuilt the oldest part of the roundhouse – the so-called Łowicz annexe. The works included reconstruction of ceilings and roof. In the future this part will be housing the new interactive railway signaling exhibition.
• We saved the unique American tank car from 1944.
• We continued the works by the refrigerator car and class Ol49-4 steam engine.

And for what we will devote the 1% donation received in 2016? Similarly to the previous years it will become the initial capital for subsidies for renovation works – we intend to finish the repairs of roundhouse roof and start rebuilding the skylight. We will also continue the ongoing rolling stock renovation works.

If you would like to support us you only need to provide in your PIT tax form the KRS number of our organization 0000216091 and the donated amount. Each, even the smallest, help will be gladly appreciated -thank you!

We would like to wish all the best to members, volunteers, supporters and fans of PARE on the occasion of coming Christmas

May this exceptional time fill you hearts with comfort and hope, and let you overcome even the biggest of obstacles.