Poland’s oldest operational multiple-unit electric train, a 63-year-old vehicle affectionately nicknamed Babcia, meaning “Granny”, is returning to passenger service after a major refurbishment.
Officially known as EN57-038, the train rolled off the production line on May 9, 1963, at the Pafawag factory in Wrocław. Over the decades, it carried passengers across southern Małopolska, serving cities including Kraków, Tarnów, Nowy Sącz and Sucha Beskidzka.
A railway veteran gets a fresh lease of life
In 2003, EN57-038 was transferred to Masovia, the province surrounding Warsaw, where it has continued operating.
The latest refurbishment included upgrades to its monitoring system and toilet. The toilet now uses a closed-circulation system, meaning waste is no longer discharged directly onto the railway tracks.
Babcia last received modernisation and maintenance work in 2022, when its original yellow and blue Pafawag-era livery was restored.
Granny returns to weekend service
Following the refurbishment, the historic train is scheduled to return to service early on Saturday mornings. It will operate on weekends along a 10-kilometre route between Tłuszcz and Mostówka, northeast of Warsaw.
Czesław Sulima, operations director of Masovian Railways, said the operator continues to invest in modern rolling stock while recognising the importance of railway tradition and sentiment.
A symbol of Poland’s railway history
Babcia belongs to the EN57 family of electric multiple-unit trains produced by Pafawag between 1961 and 1993. A total of 1,429 were manufactured, although EN57-038 is the oldest still in operation.
The return of the 63-year-old train comes as railway travel grows in popularity in Poland. At the same time, interest in historic trains has increased, with restored older trains being used for special scenic journeys.
For railway enthusiasts and passengers alike, Babcia’s return offers a rare chance to experience a piece of Poland’s railway history while travelling on a working passenger service.