On the 100th anniversary of PKP and the 200th anniversary of railways in a special edition of the weekly Newsweek

Starting today, Newsweek magazine is available for purchase – a special issue entirely dedicated to railways and PKP (Polish State Railways) – covering their history, modern times, and future challenges. This issue has been specially prepared in connection with the 100th anniversary of PKP and the 200th anniversary of railways worldwide. You will find many fascinating stories within it, including those of railway people, and you will have a unique opportunity to get to know this industry a bit „behind the scenes.” You will learn how railways and PKP have changed over the years, how they operate now, and what an incredibly complex organism they are. You will discover that railways are not just trains and stations, but much more. Below, we present an introduction from Alan Beroud – President of the Management Board of Polish State Railways S.A. and the PKP Group. We encourage you to read this extraordinary issue of Newsweek magazine.

Connecting people, places, and stories

Dear Readers, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Polish State Railways under the slogan „We connect people, places and stories.” Together with last year's celebration of the 200th anniversary of railroads around the world, these symbolic events show that railroads are not only one of the foundations of the economy and a modern means of transportation, but above all a heritage built over decades with the future in mind, a link between regions and communities, enthusiasts and professionals. The first passenger train run took place in 1825 between Stockton and Darlington in northeast England, beginning an era in which this mode of transportation became synonymous with progress, modern states and an economic engine. Less than 100 years later, in 1918, Poland regained its independence, and with its rebirth came the takeover of railroads from the retreating partitioners. The PKP then faced the daunting challenge of combining three disparate rail systems into one efficient organism. The reconstruction of destroyed lines, the construction of new routes and stations, and the modernization of rolling stock became an expression of the responsibility and professionalism of Polish railroaders.

Polish State Railways were established as a company on September 24, 1926, by decree of the President of the Republic of Poland, Ignacy Mościcki. The 1920s and 1930s were a time of bold investments, such as the construction of the Coal Trunk Line connecting Silesia with the port of Gdynia or the introduction of the Luxtorpeda into service – a fast railcar. The history of Polish railways also includes the drama of World War II and the post-war years, when large-scale electrification was carried out and the domestic railway rolling stock industry developed.

After 1989, PKP had to face new political and economic realities, unprofitability, debt, and underinvestment. The prescription was to be reform based on the restructuring act of 2000, which resulted in the current shape of the PKP Group. Membership in the European Union opened the way to enormous modernization of the railways – investments in rolling stock, stations, and depots.

Currently, PKP Group faces both opportunities and challenges related to the liberalization of the railway market, the development of High-Speed Rail in Poland, and the implementation of modern technologies. We will also continue to invest in security systems, which is particularly important in the troubled times we live in. The railway was, is, and will remain one of the key strategic sectors.

In this special edition of „Newsweek” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Polish State Railways, you have the opportunity to learn about the history of PKP, as well as its present day, read about the people of the railway, and about its special role over the years. I encourage you to read it.

Finally, I thank all current and former railway employees for their daily work – their dedication and professionalism. Together, we are creating the foundation for the next 100 years – a safe, competitive, and modern railway.