All aboard the retro train to Communist Poland

[Wolfie]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/poland/retro-train-communist-poland/

An interesting article which some might wish to probe further.

On a series of journeys throughout the summer and early autumn, the IC Niespieszny creates the sensation of travelling back in time.

Welcome to the “retro train” IC Niespieszny (which fittingly translates as “unhurried” or “leisurely”). On a series of journeys throughout the summer and early autumn, this train, the carriages of which have been restored to their 1980s prime, has been plying a number of routes in Poland. The most scenic stretches of track – rather than the fastest – have been selected for journeys that create the sensation of travelling back in time. And unlike some heritage rail experiences, these journeys, which vary from two to 12 hours, have been very reasonably priced.

 

[AndrewE]

It looks lovely... however my computer translated a bit of https://www.rynek-kolejowy.pl/wiadomosci/ic-niespieszny-wyjedzie-na-tory-w-2026-roku-123630.html as

PKP Intercity with the train "Unhurried"

“Next year we will be able to offer you a train with eight seats [in the compartments], with windows opening and with an open toilet system,” said Janusz Malinowski, President of PKP Intercity, adding that it will be a typical tourist composition.

which I thought was a funny thing to highlight!

p.s. I also found a nice header:

 

[sh24]

I've seen some pictures on social media and it looks amazing.

 

[Beebman]

Superalbs Travel reviewed it back in April:

This is a train that tries to go as slow as possible, with the oldest carriages around! I'm taking the Intercity Nieśpieszny in Poland from Warsaw to Zakopane, and seeing what long-distance train travel used to be like on such a journey

 

[class ep-09]

Superalbs Travel reviewed it back in April:

I love EU07 old school livery , and the sound of accelerating is just amazing …

 

[Doppelganger]

Loos flushing directly on to the track?

Weren't some UK trains doing that as late as 2020?

 

[Halwynd]

Adrian Bridge's articles are 'OK' but he always seems to write them using a standard format. And you can guarantee at the end it will always say... Adrian Bridge was 'a guest of', in other words it's a freebie/advertorial, but that's the way it seems to work these days, at least they're honest.

 

[AndrewE]

Adrian Bridge's articles are 'OK' but he always seems to write them using a standard format. And you can guarantee at the end it will always say... Adrian Bridge was 'a guest of', in other words it's a freebie/advertorial, but that's the way it seems to work these days, at least they're honest.

That's like all the other travel articles in the mainstream press then... (Having said that, quite a lot of them are interesting and could tempt me to go somewhere I hadn't thought of!
-e.g. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/aug/29/slow-travel-success-story-slovenia-vipava-valley)

A slow travel success story in Slovenia’s secret valley
​

Tourism is only just taking hold in Vipava, but the locals are determined to do it right, by putting community first and preserving what makes it special.
https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=theguardian.com
The drive to Pedrovo is vertiginous, and each hairpin bend has me sending a silent prayer that we won’t meet a tractor coming the other way. When we near it, we abandon the car and continue on foot to the hamlet, a scattering of red-roofed, whitewashed houses high on the steep karst hillside. The air is warm and dry, scented with wild sage.
We follow a hand-painted sign to Čilčevi Farmstead. Descending stone steps to a lush garden, we find a shaded table set with fresh cheeses produced at the farm’s own dairy.
etc.

 

[StephenHunter]

Loos flushing directly on to the track?

Weren't some UK trains doing that as late as 2020?

It's more about the cubicle size here.