Świeradów-Zdrój

The Railway to Świeradów-Zdrój

2008-09-22 15:32:19
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The Railway to Świeradów-Zdrój

Total length: 10.8 km
Level difference: 206 m
Railway track curve radius: from 300 to 800 m, width not exceeding 4.2 m
12 m long steel tracks of profile IIa were used 
Average tracks inclination: 19 %

Calendar 
  • 1897 - Local authorities under the guidance of the chaffgotsch family, the former owners of Świeradów-Zdrój, make an initial attempt to built a narrow-gauge railway (600 mm) from the town of Mirsk to Świeradów-Zdrój.
  • 1899 - The licence for the construction of the narrow-gauge railway from the town of Mirsk to Świeradów-Zdrój expires. Local authorities are unable to begin the investment for financial reasons, the money having been spent on the reconstruction of the health resort of Świeradów-Zdrój following fire.
  • 1901 - Allgemeinen Deutschs Kleinbahngeselschaft A.G. of Berlin, Germany applies for a railway construction permit, but, following receipt, construction is not begun.
  • 1903 - Hutter, Walter & Co of Hamburg, Germany applies for a railway construction permit and obtains this, but does not begin construction works. 
  • 23 April 1903 - The President of Silesia Province announces that no railway line is planned for the Izerskie Mts. for several years. 
  • 2 October 1905 - Eisenbahn Geselschaft Becker & Co of Berlin, Germany applies for a permit to begin preliminary to the construction of a railway. Having received the permit, the company commences on-site work immediately, but a heavy frost prevents continuing.
  • March 1906 - Design works is initiated related to the marking of the line on the map.
  • 24 September 1906 - The chairman of the community office in Lwówek- Śląski requests that the regional authority in Wrocław (then Breslau) builds a railway line from Mirsk to Świeradów-Zdrój, but his request is denied.  
  • 1907 - The documentation process is completed and a cost estimate drawn up with a forecast for profitability. Construction cost is estimated at 1.3 m German marks. Given the high costs involved, local authorities endeavour to obtain a loan of 3 m German mark to manage construction tasks independently, but despite great efforts this is not achieved. The sole remaining issue is that of business partners for the enterprise.
  • 1907 - Five Vulkan T 33 railway engines are purchased.
  • 4 September 1907 - At a session of the Silesian Province the decision is taken to  award a loan of 342,000 German marks, with the money being paid in five tranches.
  • 1 February 1908 - The Friedeberg-Flinsberger Klein-Aktiengeselschaft joint- venture is established, the decision being taken to exchange narrow-gauge tracks for standard gauge as well as change the name of the company to the Izera Railway joint stock company, with its headquarters in Świeradów-Zdrój at the Rübezahl Hotel (today Hotel Kryształ).
  • 5 February 1908 - Regional authorities issue an appropriate construction permit for a new joint venture and railway operation to transport people and goods with the use of  steam traction.
  • March 1908 - On-site works are begun.
  • 1 October 1909 - The first stage of construction is completed in the area of  Świeradów-Zdrój, the work involving rock shelves hammered in the slopes of the Kamienicki Ridge and a bridge over the Kwisa River.
  • 31 October 1909 - the section from Mirsk to Świeradów-Zdrój is commissioned.
  • 29 July 1910 - The section to the Forester Office is completed.
  • 1910 - The railway transports 121,966 passengers and 26,977 tons of goods.
  • 1928 - The highest number of passengers is transported, at 167,000. 
  • 31 October 1934 - The ceremonial 25th anniversary of the construction of the  Świeradów-Zdrój to Mirsk railway is celebrated.
  • 11 February 1996, at 5 pm - The last Świeradów-Zdrój to Mirsk train is dispached  amid ceremony, with the final blasts of the whistle ringing out.


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