On 11th June a unique event took place in our Shed. Responding to the request of the organizers of the 3^rd Żuk Rally, the area of Engine Shed become the stage of this extraordinary motorization event intended for the owners of vintage Polish cargo cars and vans, namely brands like “Żuk”, “Nysa” and “Tarpan”. According to the organizers, 55 teams took part in the event, incuding the participants of charity rally “Złombol”.

The rally departed from Skierniewice’s market square at 9 AM and, following the local roads, it reached various checkpoints. First teams reached the gates of the Shed at 3:30 PM, last joined us 2 hours later. Many of the cars were actually a disused fire engines or police vans, so from a distance they announced they approach with sirens. Starting from 5PM the event was open to the public, yet only small number of Skierniewice’s citizens decided to visit us on that time. It’s a pity as this was probably one of the most interesting rallies upon river Łupia.

The main yard of the Shed quickly filled up with vintage cars and participants enjoyed the picnic atmosphere, supported by sunny and pleasant afternoon. Simultaneously, everybody were impatiently awaiting the results of the rally and especially the announcement of the top places. The waiting time was used for motorization discussions, quick rest on the lawn or sightseeing of the interiors of the Shed. Many took the opportunity to take part in a very peculiar competition in long push with a… rail brake skate.

After the announcement of results, the teams left the Shed at 7 PM.

We would like to express our gratitude to the organizers of the rally for preparation of such an interesting event.

On 4^th June took place one of the oldest annual events in Skierniewice Shed – Special Open Day for Children which take place on the first Saturday after International Children’s Day. This form of visiting the Shed was available long before regular open days. The perfect weather also attracted many visitors – over 500. The Special Open Day is fitted for the needs of the youngest visitors.

As each year, an exhibition of rolling stock was available to the tourists. Due to the ongoing roof repairs it was a bit more modest than in the previous year. Except the usual rolling stock outdoor exhibits, we presented the battery shunter AEG and 4^th class carriage “Steinfurt”. We were also visited by the youngtimers from the Skierniewice’s Classics group who joined the exhibition. It was also possible to have a tour inside the roundhouse with the guide (an abbridged version of the usual sightseeing route to no to exhaust the youngest visitors).

A very popular place was the exhibition of railway signaling and traffic safety devices where one could try himself in a role of station dispatcher. Another interactive attraction was the digital railway layout prepared and showcased by the models shop LOKO-Model from Warsaw. One could also visits the stands of Bolimów Landscape Park and Łódź Agglomeration Railway. We would like to express our big gratitude to all the partners of the event.

We would like to invite you to another Open Day organized in cooperation with Bank Spółdzielczy, which will take place on Saturday, 25^th July from 11AM to 3 PM.

On 11^th June we and the organizers of Żuk Rally would like to invite you to participate in the final of this event. We open the gates of our shed from 5 PM to 7 PM to all the fans of vintage cargo cars. The rally itself will start from the Skierniewice’s Market Square at 9 AM. Over 80 teams will drive mostly the old but very popular in the past Żuk cargo cars, but the fans of brands such like Nysa and Tarpan will also find something for themselves.

Free admission.

Observant traveler passing by our Engine Shed in the Koluszki direction might have spotted the vast changes in the yard in front of the roundhouse. The missing class Pd5 express steam engine is missing and for a moment there was a special lorry for transporting the railway vehicles. What is going on?

We rush to inform you that nothing bad happened. The engine did not disappeared or was disposed. Thanks to the advancing roof repairs, we managed to find a proper place for this precious exhibit and roll it inside the roundhouse.

Putting class Pd5 inside will allow us to start the long awaited renovation of this vehicle. The fresh coat of paint will not be enough. There is plenty of metalwork awaiting us, mostly around the driver’s cab which at some point in the history was cut through and then patched with various pieces of tin. This will include rebuilding the cab’s roof which was crudely replaced with a single piece of metal sheet. Finally, we need to recreate the missing floor of the cab and overhaul the bottom of the corroded tender flask.

On 29^th May we were invited by the Fan-club of Old Trams to take part in the open days in the Museum Tram Depo Brus in Łódź. The visit was not only the opportunity to present our Shed to the lovers of public transportation but also an occasion to share with the experiences and have a closer look on the work of the organization very similar to ours, but functioning on city tracks.

Thank you very much and feel free to revisit us.

Brus Depo is one of the smallest facilities of its kind in Poland. It was built in 1910 together with opening of new tram line from Łódź to Konstantynów Łódzki. Depo ended its operation in the beginning of 2012. Thanks to the Fan-club of Old Trams, it did not shared the fate of now demolished depo at Dąbrowskiego Street and was devoted to organize a public transportation museum, in cooperation with MPK Łódź and City Council of Łódź.

The first Saturday of June (4.06) is traditionally devoted to the youngest railway fans. On that day, from 11 AM to 3 PM following attractions will be available to the visitors:

• presentation of cult-cars by members of group Skierniewice’s Classics
• stand of Bolimów Landscape Park
• digitally controlled railway layout prepared by model shop LOKO-MODEL
• exhibition of railway signaling and control devices

More attractions are one the way! This time we prepared the open form of sightseeing to keep the youngest guests from exhaustion. Nevertheless, regular visitors can participate in guided tours which will depart at 12 AM and 2 PM.

Catering and cold beverages will be served by Atmosfera pizza house from Skierniewice.

Free admission!

This year’s spring the Shed has been visited more then usual by various vintage cars rallies and assemblies. On 21^st May Classics Meeting from neighboring Żyrardów, organized on 100^th anniversary of this city, reached Skierniewice. The Engine Shed was one of the control points on the route of the rally. For three hours we were visited by several teams or larger groups of rally participants in their classic or cult-following automobiles.