A train driver tops up an OL-49 locomotive with oil before departure from Wolsztyn, Poland. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to prepare the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

Two men service a steam engine in the depot, Wolsztyn, Poland. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to prepare the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

The train mechanics at work in the forge, Wolsztyn, Poland. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to ready the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

An engine works up steam, ready for departure, Wolsztyn, Poland. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to prepare the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

Train driver Czeslaw Janas replaces grates in the locomotive called Piekna Helena, Wolsztyn, Poland. Engineers use traditional methods to make spare parts. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to prepare the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

Piekna Helena, the fastest engine under steam, Wolsztyn, Poland. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to prepare the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

A railway worker helps a passenger with his bicycle to board the steam train, Wolsztyn, Poland. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to prepare the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

A train driver shovels coal in the steam engine, Wolsztyn, Poland. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to prepare the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

On the steam train from Poznan to Wolsztyn, Poland. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to prepare the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

Dirty steam from the steam engine between Wolsztyn and Poznan, Poland. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to prepare the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

Steam train driver Czeslaw Janas offers a wild poppy to a conductor, Wolsztyn, Poland. The locomotives that ply the route from Wolsztyn to Poznan in western Poland form one of the last scheduled steam-train services in Europe. Huge OL-49 engines, more than half a century old, consume up to 18,000 liters of water, three tons of coal, and eight liters of oil on the 180-kilometer round trip. It takes one-and-a-half hours for the drivers to prepare the train for the journey, stoking up the boiler to build up steam.

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