The most beautiful line in Poland is the "Ostbahn", once part of the German eastern railway network, located in the North of today's Poland. The name Ostbahn was given only to the main line from Berlin to Kaliningrad via Piła, Tczew, and Malbork. After the Second World War, most of this line ended up inside Poland. Today only two parts of the line - Kostrzyń to Piła and Tczew to Malbork - remain as main lines. The rest have been downgraded to secondary status. The former Ostbahn line from Kostrzyń to Krzyż has become one of the most popular lines for railway enthusiasts because the line has not been electrified and remains much as it did many years ago. Through the end of the 1980's it was possible to still see steam and SN61 railcars working here. This region was also one of the last places where the ST44-class "Gagarin" diesels were in regular service.

Located near the Ostbahn line is the Nakło system of 600mm lines, which was the biggest system of its kind in Poland. The names Białośliwie, Łobżenica, Nakło and Koronowo, are all well-known by narrow gauge enthusiasts. For many years now service on the railway has been suspended and a lot of the track has been removed. Today, only the section from Białośliwie to Łobżenica is still intact and awaiting a final decision on its fate. Our article covers the history of the lines, from their start as two systems (Bydgoszcz and Wyrzysk) through their later connection, as well as the locomotives and rolling stock.

The model of the BR120 locomotive produced by the German company Gützold can be bought easily in markets. We show you how to convert this model into the popular Polish ST44 "Gagarin" in a step-by-step process.