LRTA AGM 2022 – Katowice – Poland
The AGM was held on Saturday 1st October in the Mercure Katowice Centrum Hotel, Katowice, Poland starting at 14:00 (13:00 UK time). The AGM Documents are still available on the Members’ Page of the LRTA Membership system, please go to Light Rail Transit Association at Membermojo to view and download these documents. Members will be required to sign in, to access to the Members’ Page, please contact webmaster@lrta.org if you have difficulties signing in.
28 Sep – 3rd Oct
This year’s AGM was being organised in conjunction with an Ian Longworth Tour and was based in Katowice Poland. The AGM was held on Saturday 1st October in the Mercure Katowice Centrum Hotel. There were organised activities from Wednesday 28th September to Monday 3rd October.
Special offer for those attending the AGM, all members who booked their hotel (min 3 nights) through the LRTA or were on the Ian Longworth tour got a complimentary copy of the new book by Michael Russell – ‘Tramways in Upper Silesia – a Guidebook’. This Guidebook is now available in the LRTA Shop at: The Tramways of Upper Silesia – A Guidebook
The full programme of activities were as follows:
Wednesday 28th – Arrive in Katowice. This arrival date was for those who wished to join in the full range of activities.
Thursday 29th – Free day in Katowice.
Friday 30th – Excursion to Częstochowa (80km) with just 14.5km and 3 lines operated by a mix of Konstal and modern cars. Famous for the painting of the Black Madonna and a shrine to the Virgin Mary. (£10)
Evening reception in Katowice at the Chorzow Batory including a buffet with a cash bar for drinks. (£15)
Saturday 1st October – Morning tram tour lasting approximately 4 hours, starting from Bytom, covering the central and western parts of the system, including a 30-minute visit to Gliwice depot and finishing at Katowice Station in time for lunch (£25).
We rode on two x N two-axle cars for this tour. The tour coach provided road transport after breakfast between the Katowice hotel and Bytom, but participants can depart earlier by service tram If preferred.
Optional buffet lunch (£15) before the LRTA AGM, which is for members only and will take place in the afternoon. In the evening the Annual Dinner (£40) took place and all tour participants were invited.
Sunday 2nd – Day trip to Kraków. A system extending to 87km including the two interurban routes to Nowa Huta. (£10)
Monday 3rd – Morning tram tour of the eastern part of the tramway, starting at Będzin depot at 0830. (The tour coach provided road transport from the Katowice hotel to Będzin depot immediately after breakfast). Tour took between 4 and 4½ hours, At approximately 1300hrs the tour finished at Zawodzie depot, where a 30-minute visit will follow. (£25)
We rode on an ex-Wien E1 car for this tour; these were withdrawn from service in March 2021 but two have been retained for special operations. Confirmation of details is awaited.
Optional afternoon visit to Auschwitz (no additional cost).
Tuesday 4th – Leaving Katowice
All Photographs © Michael Russell
Previous AGMs – 2021 Blackpool