Border Crossings: Poland - Ukraine: Difference between revisions

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==(Przemyśl -) Medyka PKP - Mostys'ka 2 UZ (- L'viv)==
==(Przemyśl -) Medyka PKP - Mostys'ka 2 UZ (- L'viv)==
[E] PKP and UZ operate a daily overnight service between L'viv/Lvov and both Wrocław and Warszawa. The 1435 and 1520 mm gauge lines, which take different alignments within Poland, were previously used on alternate days in each direction: in one direction the train changed gauge at Mostys'ka 2 by means of an open air SUW 2000-compatible gauge changer, and in the other direction the other train the same night performed a manual bogie change at Przemyśl. This arrangement ended, as the SUW 2000 equipment was observed to be out of use in October 2017. However,  in April 2018 the overnight L'viv/Lvov services were observed using the Mostys'ka 2 gauge changer. The Przemyśl Główny arrival/departure sheets confirmed use of only standard gauge platforms but this of course does not preclude use of the gauge changer at Przemyśl. See Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services [[Poland_(South_East)_-_Lines_with_Obscure_passenger_services#PL12_11|
[E] From Przemyśl Główny station there are separate standard and broad gauge tracks which take totally different routes either side of large transhipment yards between Hurko and Medyka which at maximum are 650m apart. From Medyka PKP across the border is two tracks, of which at least one is interlaced.
 
PKP and UZ operate a long standing daily overnight service between Kyiv/L'viv and both Wrocław and Warszawa which has had a complicated cross border history. There are gauge changing facilities east of Przemyśl Główny [lifting jacks for bogie change with associated locomotive shunts] and Mostys'ka 2 [open air SUW 2000 - for compatible bogied coaches] with either used over time. Use of the SUW 2000 equipment ended for a period as it was observed out of use in October 2017 but by April 2018 it was in use again. The Przemyśl Główny arrival/departure sheets in 2019 confirmed use of only standard gauge platforms but this of course does not preclude use of the gauge changer at Przemyśl so '''any reports from travel on this overnight are welcomed by the Compilers.'''. See Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services [[Poland_(South_East)_-_Lines_with_Obscure_passenger_services#PL12_11|
(Przemyśl Główny –) Hurko – Medyka (– Mostys'ka 2)]].
(Przemyśl Główny –) Hurko – Medyka (– Mostys'ka 2)]].


From 23 December 2016 UZ introduced a direct Kyiv - L'viv - Przemyśl daytime Intercity service, using a modern 1520 mm gauge EMU with on board customs control. This service was doubled on 24 August 2017, when Ukrainian Citizens no longer needed visas to visit the EU, the additional service serving a different route between L'viv and Kyiv.
UZ had run long distance day and [seasonal] overnight loco hauled services into Przemyśl Główny on the Broad gauge track which ended on 8 December 2012, but a daytime Kyiv - L'viv - Przemyśl resumed on 23 December 2016 using a modern 1520 mm gauge EMU. This service was doubled on 24 August 2017 when Ukrainian Citizens no longer needed visas to visit the EU, this service serving a different route between L'viv and Kyiv.


UZ works broad gauge freight trains to yards within Poland and PKP works standard gauge freights to Mostys'ka 2 (at least one of the two cross border tracks is interlaced). On the Polish side the 1520 mm gauge continues to Zurawica; on the Ukrainian side 1435 mm gauge track ends at a transhipment facility 3km east of Mostys'ka 2 station.
UZ works broad gauge freight trains to yards within Poland and PKP works standard gauge freights to Mostys'ka 2. On the Polish side the 1520 mm gauge ends at Przemyśl Glowny station or avoids Przemyśl on a freight line from Hurko to yards at Zurawica; on the Ukrainian side 1435 mm gauge track ends at a transhipment facility 3km east of Mostys'ka 2 station.


Czech open access operator Leo Express has approval to commence services to Medyka PKP but has also filed a request to enter the Ukraine network using the 8km 1435mm-gauge line from Medyka to Mostyska II.
Czech open access operator Leo Express has approval for a Praha to Medyka PKP pair and filed a request to enter the Ukraine to Mostys'ka 2 which must use the 8km 1435mm-gauge line from Medyka to Mostys'ka 2. It is planned for introduction in December 2020 but initially running only to Przemyśl Główny.


==(Przemyśl) Malhowice PKP - Nyzhankovychi UZ (- Dobromyl' - Khyriv)==
==(Przemyśl) Malhowice PKP - Nyzhankovychi UZ (- Dobromyl' - Khyriv)==

Revision as of 11:54, 28 May 2020

Note that there is a one hour time difference between Poland and Ukraine. Users should check whether or not Ukraine is using Daylight Saving Time.

(Chełm -) Dorohusk PKP - Yahodyn UZ (- Kovel')

[D] The cross-border section comprises one 1435 mm gauge track and one 1520 mm gauge track. 1435 mm gauge track extends eastwards to a shipment yard at Kovel, 59 km east of Yahodyn. 1520 mm gauge track extends westwards to an oil installation a few km west of Chełm. Both gauges are used by freight over their full length. The 1435 mm gauge track is electrified as far as Dorohusk.

PKP operates a long standing Warszawa - Kyïv overnight service on the 1435mm gauge tracks to/from Yahodyn, where gauge changing takes place by means of bogie exchange. The train thus changes to/from PKP diesel traction for the short cross-border journey; this is the only PKP operated passenger service east of Chelm.

A daytime pair of Ukrainian DMUs was introduced on 12 June 2017 between Kovel and Chelm, coinciding with the end of visa requirements for Ukrainians and from 24 August 2017 was extended within Ukraine to run from/to Zdolbuniw. This was the first passenger service to use the 1520 mm gauge track across the border since at least June 2000 and was initially successful and increased to two pairs, subsequently reduced to one at the December 2018 Timetable change. From 9 June 2019 this pair only operated to Dorohusk with a bus to/from Chelm due to a Customs dispute with the Polish Authorities concerning fuel duty and then completely withdrawn after running on the 18 June 2019.

(Sławków -) Hrubieszów LHS - Izov LHS

[D] This 1520mm gauge line is the "Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa" (Broad-Gauge Steel Line) between Sławków near Katowice and Vladimir in Ukraine. A limited long distance International passenger service ended a number of years ago, so current use is just freight and "road-train" services. Letters of Intent to electrify from Kowel in the Ukraine to Hrubieszów were signed in April 2017. In 2009 cross border staff trains ran to the railway carriage works at Hrubieszów Towarowy from Izov with timings based on shift patterns but it is not recommended to attempt to travel due to Ukraine Border controls. This line was formerly part of PKP and was called "Steel and Sulphur Railway".

Hrebenne PKP - Rava Rus'ka UZ

[D] The PKP-operated 1435mm gauge through service to/from Warszawa which only commenced on 2 June 1996 was withdrawn after 3 June 2005. No freight traffic can operate, as the tracks to the interchange sidings at Rava Rus'ka have been lifted.

Werchrata PKP - Rava Rus'ka UZ

[D] A Broad gauge freight only crossing, now worked by UZ only and in 2006 with just a daily freight to a factory at Werchrata. By August 2014 there is a very lengthy refurbished or new open air transhipment platform to the east of Werchrata station with 2018 YouTube videos of PKP freights and open double bogied mineral wagons. There are storage sidings on both gauges alongside the PKP station but the 1520 mm lines to the south of Werchrata have been out of use for decades.

(Przemyśl -) Medyka PKP - Mostys'ka 2 UZ (- L'viv)

[E] From Przemyśl Główny station there are separate standard and broad gauge tracks which take totally different routes either side of large transhipment yards between Hurko and Medyka which at maximum are 650m apart. From Medyka PKP across the border is two tracks, of which at least one is interlaced.

PKP and UZ operate a long standing daily overnight service between Kyiv/L'viv and both Wrocław and Warszawa which has had a complicated cross border history. There are gauge changing facilities east of Przemyśl Główny [lifting jacks for bogie change with associated locomotive shunts] and Mostys'ka 2 [open air SUW 2000 - for compatible bogied coaches] with either used over time. Use of the SUW 2000 equipment ended for a period as it was observed out of use in October 2017 but by April 2018 it was in use again. The Przemyśl Główny arrival/departure sheets in 2019 confirmed use of only standard gauge platforms but this of course does not preclude use of the gauge changer at Przemyśl so any reports from travel on this overnight are welcomed by the Compilers.. See Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services (Przemyśl Główny –) Hurko – Medyka (– Mostys'ka 2).

UZ had run long distance day and [seasonal] overnight loco hauled services into Przemyśl Główny on the Broad gauge track which ended on 8 December 2012, but a daytime Kyiv - L'viv - Przemyśl resumed on 23 December 2016 using a modern 1520 mm gauge EMU. This service was doubled on 24 August 2017 when Ukrainian Citizens no longer needed visas to visit the EU, this service serving a different route between L'viv and Kyiv.

UZ works broad gauge freight trains to yards within Poland and PKP works standard gauge freights to Mostys'ka 2. On the Polish side the 1520 mm gauge ends at Przemyśl Glowny station or avoids Przemyśl on a freight line from Hurko to yards at Zurawica; on the Ukrainian side 1435 mm gauge track ends at a transhipment facility 3km east of Mostys'ka 2 station.

Czech open access operator Leo Express has approval for a Praha to Medyka PKP pair and filed a request to enter the Ukraine to Mostys'ka 2 which must use the 8km 1435mm-gauge line from Medyka to Mostys'ka 2. It is planned for introduction in December 2020 but initially running only to Przemyśl Główny.

(Przemyśl) Malhowice PKP - Nyzhankovychi UZ (- Dobromyl' - Khyriv)

[D] Closed as a through route, formerly interlaced dual gauge 1435/1520mm. Until early 1995, PKP operated a 1435mm gauge Warszawa - Zagorz corridor train through Ukraine via this route and the Krościenko - Star'iava crossing. By July 2004, significant lengths of the 1435mm gauge track within Ukraine had been lifted north of Dobromyl', with PKP 1435mm gauge carriage sidings and freight remaining on a stub from Przemyśl to Przemyśl Bakończyce. Following the lifting of Visa restrictions on Ukrainians there has been a suggestion this route may reopen to passengers and on the Polish side, all trees etc were cleared from the track in Autumn 2016 triggering some repair work by UZ, so by December 2018 there have apparently been ten cross-border Przemyśl to Nyzhankovychi trains with politicians, tourists, journalists and volunteers on board. The Polish government now has plans to rebuild this Line [to Nyzhankovychi only?] and is apparently discussing the work required with the Ukrainians.

(Sanok - Ustrzyki Dolne -) Krościenko PKP - Star'iava UZ (- Khyriv)

[D] This line has been closed to all traffic since 9 November 2010 but with Ukrainian Visa restrictions lifted, SKPL operated a special to Khyriv on 25 June 2017 so reopening may be being considered. PKP had operated 1435mm gauge local passenger services between Sanok (Zagórz before 2004/2005) and Khyriv but lately only freight trains ran between Sanok and Ustrzyki Dolne. A 1520mm gauge track is interlaced with the 1435mm gauge track between Stariava and Khyriv for the internal UZ passenger service of two trains per day. See also the Malhowice - Nizhankovichi crossing.

See also