120th Anniversary of the Vistula Right Bank – Sztutowo Line
This year marks the 120th anniversary of the opening of one of the most interesting railway routes in northern Poland, connecting the right bank of the Vistula River with Sztutowo. It was created with the aim of improving transport in the Vistula delta, a region of great economic and agricultural importance. Its history is also a testament to how railways changed the lives of local communities.
The first trains set out on the route in 1905. The line was mainly used for transporting agricultural products, sugar beets, and timber, but it quickly gained popularity for passenger transport as well. It became an important route connecting the smaller villages of Żuławy with larger commercial centers.
The interwar and post-war periods were years of intensive exploitation – the railway was the basis of communication in the region. Only the development of road transport and economic changes in the second half of the 20th century led to a gradual reduction in traffic. Some tracks were dismantled, while other sections were preserved as a narrow-gauge railway for tourist purposes.
Today, the former Vistula Right Bank – Sztutowo line is a living testament to an era when railways were the foundation of economic and social development in the Żuławy region. During the summer season, tourist trains of the Żuławska Narrow Gauge Railway run here, allowing travelers to experience the atmosphere of bygone journeys.
The 120th anniversary of this route is an opportunity not only to recall its history but also to reflect on the role of railways in building the region's identity. Small lines like this one are often underestimated, yet it was they that united local communities and formed the lifeblood of economic activity for decades.
The 120th anniversary of the Vistula Right Bank – Sztutowo railway line will be celebrated with public events organized by the Pomeranian Society of Railway Enthusiasts (Pomorskie Towarzystwo Miłośników Kolei Żelaznych). The event features both vintage and modern rolling stock, domestically sourced and on loan from other narrow-gauge railway operators in Poland. Thanks to the generosity of our partners: SKPL Cargo, the Warsaw Railway Museum (Stacja Muzeum w Warszawie), and the Museum of History in Ełk (Muzeum Historyczne w Ełku), attendees will be able to experience the atmosphere of narrow-gauge railways in Żuławy during the golden age of the former PKP company. The program includes train rides powered by steam locomotives, motor cars, and diesel locomotives on the Stegna – Jantar and Stegna – Sztutowo routes. Additionally, the Stegna station will offer attractions for children, merchandise and souvenir sales, and food service.
More at: https://kolejzulawska.pl/120-lecie-linii-kolejowej-prawy-brzeg-wisly-sztutowo/
