Located near the modern urban landscape of Kraków’s Płaszów district, the Stara Lokomotywownia (Old Locomotive Depot) stands as a powerful reminder of Poland’s rich railway history and industrial legacy. Constructed in 1927, this site was once a bustling hub of locomotive maintenance and storage, integral to the development of Kraków’s extensive rail network. Today, it’s a poignant relic—part industrial archaeology, part monument—echoing the age when steam was king.

A Personal Encounter with History

In August 2025, I had the opportunity to visit this evocative site and photograph its haunting remnants. The scene was sunlit, and the atmosphere was incredibly inspiring—I felt a deep connection to this place’s history and its silent giants of steel. The visual power of the decaying structures, overgrown weeds, and rusted locomotive parts made me eager to return later to explore it further and capture more images.

Later, in October of the same year, I went back to the site. The atmosphere had changed with the season, yet its raw beauty and sense of history remained. All photographs in this article were captured with my Mamiya 6MF camera, using Ilford SFX 200 near-infrared film, a red filter (25), and a Sirui tripod.

Photography at the Site: Near-Infrared and Sunlit Scenes

Using near-infrared film at this location was an enlightening experience. Near-infrared photography tends to emphasize contrasts and can reveal a different side of a scene—thresholds between decay and renewal, nature blending with industrial remnants. In the bright, sunlit conditions of the site, the near-infrared film accentuated the stark textures of peeling paint, rust, and overgrown foliage, creating images that seem almost surreal.

The red filter (25) enhances the near-infrared effect, making foliage appear more luminous and providing a dramatic contrast to the darker metallic and wooden structures. Interestingly, this combination also made the blue sky turn out nearly black in the photographs, adding to the surreal, almost cinematic quality of the images. The effect heightened the scene’s stark contrasts and gave it an otherworldly, haunting atmosphere.

**An ancient train carriage from the Austro-Hungarian era, slowly decaying amidst the overgrown ruins of the old locomotive depot, is a relic of a bygone age of rail travel. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.**

Historical Significance and Architectural Features

The depot was originally designed as a repair and storage facility for steam locomotives, featuring a turntable for locomotive rotation, repair workshops, and a water-filling point established in 1941 for fueling steam engines. Among the relics, the Ty51 locomotive—built in the 1950s and the heaviest steam locomotive produced in Poland—remains an imposing steel giant, a silent sentinel amid decay.

Cultural and Heritage Significance

These remnants carry immense cultural value. According to the Kraków Railway Museum, sites like this are crucial for understanding technological progress and economic history. Locomotives such as the Ty51 and old carriages—some dating back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire—highlight over a century of continuous railway use, reflecting the socio-economic transformations of Poland and Kraków.

The Challenge of Preservation

Despite its importance, the site faces threats from neglect and vandalism. Many structures have fallen into disrepair, and active efforts for preservation are limited. The Polish Railway Museum and local heritage groups see potential in transforming the site into an open-air museum or cultural center, which could foster tourism and educational activities—helping preserve its story for future generations.

A Personal Reflection on the Site’s Inspiration

Visiting and photographing the Stara Lokomotywownia was a deeply inspiring experience. The interplay of natural decay and industrial history left me eager to explore it further. The site’s raw beauty, especially captured through near-infrared photography, resonated strongly with me—highlighting both the passage of time and the resilience of these steel giants and their surroundings. The use of near-infrared film with the red filter, turning the sky nearly black, created a surreal backdrop that intensified this feeling. I look forward to returning, more motivated than ever, to document and interpret this remarkable place.

Resources and Links:

Kraków Railway Museum (Muzeum Kolejnictwa w Krakowie)
- Extensive collections of locomotives, rolling stock, and railway artifacts related to Kraków’s railway history. They also engage in preservation projects and host special exhibitions.
- Website: https://muzeumkrakow.pl
Polish Railway Museum (Muzeum Kolejnictwa w Warszawie)
- The national railway museum with one of the most comprehensive collections of Polish locomotives, carriages, and archival materials. They provide valuable information on the history of Polish railways, including efforts to preserve industrial heritage.
- Website: https://kolej.pl
Kraków Płaszów Station Wikipedia Page
- Contains a detailed history of the station, its development, and its role in Kraków’s rail infrastructure.
- Link: Kraków Płaszów Station
Kraków Local Heritage and Urban Development Initiatives
- The Kraków city website or local heritage groups sometimes publish articles and updates regarding the preservation of industrial sites like the Stara Lokomotywownia.
- Example link: Kraków - Heritage Preservation
Regional and Railway Archives
- Digital archives often host vintage photographs, maps, and documents related to Kraków’s railway development and old locomotive depots.
- Example: Wikimedia Commons - Railway Photos
Heritage and Industrial Archaeology Publications
- For in-depth academic articles and publications on industrial heritage preservation, consider platforms like Google Scholar or JSTOR using keywords like “Polish railway heritage,” “industrial archaeology in Kraków,” or “railway preservation Poland.”
- Example: Google Scholar Search

If you are interested in recent preservation efforts or community activities, local Kraków newspapers like Kraków Post or Dziennik Polski often cover such stories.