From time to time we travel across the border to see how others deal with their railway history and to have a break from our own renovation activities. Our usual direction is Czechia due to the language similarities and the fact that that some of us just fell in love with this country. The common travels are also a form of gratitude to our most active volunteers.

During the weekend of 21^st and 22^nd April we took part in an excursion to the directly neighbouring with Poland Moravian-Silesian province. Our first target was the still operational Třemešná ve Slezsku – Osoblaha narrow-gauge railway. For the younger generation of our volunteers it was paradoxically the first exposure to a narrow-gauge railway still doing its normal work – carrying passengers and goods all year round for the benefit of the local small towns. By the way we could see our colleagues from Slezské zemské dráhy (operating seasonal tourist trains) in action.

The next day we devoted to visit Železniční muzeum moravskoslezské located in the part of the Ostrava střed railway station. The highlight of this visit was to learn more of the driving simulator of the class 742. We intend to build a similar attraction at our shed and we were eager to learn about the experiences of other in this field. The museum also hosts a permanent exhibition of railway signalling and temporary exhibitions regarding the history of railways.

The last highlight of the trip was a visit to the historic coal mine Důl Michal. We were amazed by a pristine condition of the ground-level buildings of the mine. They look hasn’t changed from the time of closing down the facility back in 1993. It’s a great example to support the realistic contrary modern approach in technical and industrial museums.

We renew our cooperation with Łódź Commuters Railway (ŁKA). On the same rules as in the previous year, the travellers visiting Skierniewice can return back with ŁKA train to their departure point for free. The only condition is to have your one-way ŁKA ticket stamped in the Shed. The offer is valid only during the following days:

• 5^th May – Open Day,
• 19^th May – Railway Night of Museums,
• 2^nd June – Children’s Day in Engine Shed,
• 7^th July – Open Day,
• 4^th August – Open Day,
• 1^st September – Open Day,
• 15^th and 16^th September – The Festival of Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables in Skierniewice,
• 6^th October – Open Day.

Since couple of years, with the beginning of Spring we travel to Upper Silesia to participate in a special event. From 13^th to 14^th April we took part in the 10th International Fairs of Industrial Heritage and Underground Tourism which took place in Zabrze’s Sports Hall. This year we shared our stand with colleagues from the Association of Upper Silesia Narrow Gauge Railroads. This way, in one place the visitors could learn about the offer and history of our engine shed and the longest continuously operational narrow-gauge in Poland connecting Bytom with Miasteczko Śląskie.

We regret to inform that our colleague, Andrzej Szadkowski, has pass away on 30^th March 2018. We would like to express our condolences to his son and our former volunteer, Jakub.