the founder and director of “The Wolsztyn Experience,” which for 25 years allowed railfans to run steam locomotives at speed on Polish main lines By Justin Franz More than 2,000 people partook in the Wolsztyn Experience since its founding in 1996 Poland was one of the last places in Europe to see steam in regular service and Jones joined a group of English enthusiasts on a trip to Wolsztyn in 1995 to experience railroading as it was Impressed with the experience he had there Jones — who had worked in the airline and travel industries — decided to help bring other railfans to Poland and founded the Wolsztyn Experience the following year railfans from across Europe and North America could spend a week in Poland as student locomotive engineers and firemen operating steam in regular service at speed Jones eventually moved to Poland to help the program grow Wolsztyn’s student engineers and firemen have logged more than two million miles in the cabs of Wolsztyn-based locomotives The program also helped keep the steam locomotives in service even after diesel locomotives had replaced them on most regular runs in honor of his service to British railroad enthusiasts Jones was bestowed with the honor of “MBE” or “Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” by Queen Elizabeth II His impact on the world’s railfan community has been most profound,” wrote Carl Franz representative for the Wolsztyn Experience Howard Jones made our lifetime dreams literally come true Franz wrote that U.S.-based Steam Locomotive Operation Group hopes to continue the Wolsztyn Experience in the future plans to acquire Minnesota Commercial Railway Locomotive 1616 is the second unit UP has painted to honor a U.S While the bridge was not on the portion of the railroad that currently hosts excursions officials said they hoped to use the trestle in the future Railfan & Railroad Magazine takes you trackside The Firestone Industrial Products (FSIP) Wolsztyn Manufacturing Plant was recently recognized by the Great Place to Work® Institute as an outstanding place to work in the 2019 ranking in Poland.The Great Place to Work Institute recognizes organizations around the world each year The institute believes that the foundation of a great workplace is the trust that employees give their leaders the pride they feel in their everyday work and the positive relationships they have with their colleagues "I want to thank our teammates for this accomplishment," said Pawel Krystek "The Wolsztyn teammates have created a great culture and make this plant a great place to work every day."Out of the 29 companies recognized in 2019 the Wolsztyn Plant was the only manufacturing plant selected The plant ranked 11th out of companies with less than 500 employees Congratulations to the Wolsztyn teammates and leadership on this accomplishment If you're a journalist with questions about this story or other company news, please contact us Joliette Plant team recognized with sustainability award from Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec News & Reviews News Wire Steam commuter operation in Poland appears to be ending NEWSWIRE Mainline steam in November 2019: Polish 2-6-2 Ol49 59 is about to leave Wolsztyn with the 11:37 service to Leszno on Nov The 80-minute one-way steam trip cost around $3 WARSAW — Daily steam hauled passenger services survive on two regional commuter rail lines in western Poland but seem set to end for good in May 2020 The last remaining public passenger mainline steam services anywhere in the world operate from the famous museum shop at Wolsztyn west of the city of Poznan (and around 100 miles east of German capital Berlin) The end of regular Polish steam services has been threatened previously but looks likely to be true this time. The British-based supporters of the steam operation “The Wolsztyn Experience” have made it clear on their website that they do not anticipate the regular steam passenger trains running after May with modern diesel multiple units replacing steam A three-year agreement that began in May 2017 to maintain daily steam hauled services expires next May and the locomotive engineers many of whom have already passed their normal retirement dates The Wolsztyn steam shop survived into the mid-1990s with working steam as Polish national rail operator PKP had insufficient diesel locomotives at that time to replace the steam power After the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989-90 Wolsztyn became famous to steam enthusiasts from around the world The Wolsztyn Experience company encouraged the Polish railway operators to keep using steam and also began offering opportunities for people to learn how to operate the steam locos The shop at Wolsztyn has been transferred to a not-for-profit foundation and will remain open as a museum and will provide locomotivess for main line steam charter trains which operate several times a year across the Polish network The Wolsztyn shop will also continue to host its annual steam parade Thomas Engel- I was in Dresden this past August and both of those NG lines are in operation The tram that takes you to the one on the east side of town passes a stop called ‘Alte Schlachthot.” I wonder if that was where Kurt Vonnegut was imprisoned There were tow narrow-gauge passenger operations out of Dresden that were part of the commuter network One even featured a street-crossing between streetcar (tram) and narrow-gauge steam I have ridden them; of course this is not Main Line steam As of 1995 Dresden also had side-wheel steamers as part of the commuter network; I rode one upriver from Koenigstein to Bad Schandau in 1995 to experience reciprocating steam’s working against the Elbe’s current An historical sidebar…the ROW in question was part of Prussia and the German Empire’s railway infrastructure program to provide massive and rapid arms movement eastward; while Russia was doing the same the Harz Mountains railway in Germany runs main line steam powered passenger trains if you consider a meter-gauge line a main line Between this and the Sandaoling mine closing in China the clock is going to edge ever closer to midnight in 2020 but I suppose it had to happen sooner or later KULT AMERICA with Ryan Socash covers Poland Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. Join Today! Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands! Text description provided by the architects. FALA PARK is a sports & recreation centre situated in the small and picturesque town of Wolsztyn, Poland famous as the location of a locomotive roundhouse. The new centre has been built on a former brownfield site bordering an historic park and offering views to a nearby lake. Our intention was to take full advantage of the sites location by creating visual connections from the building to its attractive surroundings with the main internal spaces requiring natural light having views towards the lake. A rooftop tennis court – Poland’s first - offers users an exciting platform to admire the far-reaching panorama of the town’s historic church towers and dense rooftops. © Bartosz MakowskiThe form and massing of the building is derived from the spatial requirements of the sporting functions within. Although initially FALA PARK was supposed to be enclosed, we persuaded the investors to keep it open and welcoming; creating a new, inviting and energetic public space that seeks to strengthen the connections between the town, the park and the lake. © Bartosz MakowskiAlong with the rooftop tennis court, FALA PARK accommodates: 4 bowling alleys, 2 squash courts, a full height climbing wall, a gym with spin and fitness studios, a children’s play area, a mini-golf course, a cafe, and bike and Segway hire. © Bartosz MakowskiThe building has been wrapped with semi-translucent, vertical brise-soleil panels arranged to create an expressive modular façade whilst reducing solar gain. Because the plot was too small to locate tennis court on the ground, we decided to put him on the roof. To protect people on the ground before falling tennis ball we design 8m high cage, whih is also a construction for shutters below. © Bartosz MakowskiThanks this we have court tennis witch picturesque view for old town, park and lake! It’s tennis on ”higher level” ;) Inside, contemporary and vivid interiors have been used to enable easy orientation within the entwining yet distinctive buildings functions. Bright accent colours and clear graphics and signage were used throughout to appeal to users of all ages. which can be seen throughout the building dominates the main interior space and acts as a notional ‘core’ and way-finding device for users The climbing walls distinctive form is also playfully expressed in the treatment of the stairs furniture and other elements of the building Even though FALA PARK was completed on a very tight budget (jointly founded by EU grants and private equity) we believe we have succeeded in delivering a contemporary You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email a leader in developing technology to eliminate vibration in transportation announced a significant investment to expand the company’s operations in Central Europe The investment is a direct response to the growing demand for air suspension technologies throughout Europe a business unit of Bridgestone Corporation is adding 2,000 square meters to its existing Wolsztyn where the company has manufactured air suspensions for commercial vehicles and passenger cars since 2005 Firestone Industrial Products will open a new distribution center nearby in Chobienice These expansions will increase the company’s development and production capabilities and support improved logistics for customers the expanded plant will be equipped with new innovative machinery and equipment and an ISO class 8 cleanroom enabling the company to supply well-known European automotive OEMs The new facility is planned to be fully operational by the second half of 2020 The new Chobienice distribution center includes 10,000 square meters of floorspace and is located a short distance from the Wolsztyn manufacturing site creating an efficient flow of vital products between the facilities “Firestone Industrial Products continues to experience growth in the European market We see more interest from OEMs that want to equip next generation vehicles with the latest air suspension technologies,” said Emily Poladian president of Firestone Industrial Products This is the latest investment in a multiyear strategic expansion Bridgestone announced an investment in eight European tire plants The automotive segment contributes more than 8% to Poland’s gross domestic product and Poland is one of the top 10 largest automotive exporters in the world “Investing in our manufacturing and distribution facilities in Europe is a crucial part of the company’s continued effort to respond to market demand and offer best-in-class logistics support Firestone Industrial Products looks forward to continuing to support our partners with the expanded capabilities at our Wolsztyn plant and Chobienice distribution center,” said Pawel Krystek specializes in air spring manufacturing and technology with a history of more than 80 years of research and development on technologically advanced air springs for the global marketplace Firestone Industrial Products manufactures air springs and related products for commercial trucks and trailers The company has quality-certified manufacturing/assembly plants and technical centers in North America If you're a journalist with questions about this story or other company news, please contact us Firestone Launches Affinity AS Touring Tire to Enhance the Ride Quality Bridgestone to Exhibit at 40th Space Symposium Empowering Lunar Mobility from the Ground Up Under Extreme Conditions Bridgestone to Debut First MASTERCORE Tire for Aggregate Segment with Enhanced Load Capacity and More Tire Life Bridgestone Unveils Two New Tires with ENLITEN Technology and its Advanced Digital Service Dispatch Solution at TMC 2025 The 24th Steam Locomotive Parade is an experience where antique steam powered engines and associated antique rail-cars are fueled up with coal and then driven short distances which brings back the days when these railcars ruled heavy transportation