PKP Koluszki. 2025

Koluszki geographical coordinates: 51.743N 19.818E, elevation 211 m.

Koluszki is a town in the Łódź Voivodeship, Łódź East County, and Koluszki Commune, Poland. City rights were granted in 1949. The town’s population was 12,046 as of 2023. The town’s area is 9.9 square kilometers. The average elevation is 211 m. Vehicle license plates are ELW.

The first settlement was established on the Mroga River, and is now the village of Stare Koluszki. From 1975 to 1998, the town of Koluszki administratively belonged to the Piotrków Voivodeship. In the 18th century, the village of Koluszki had approximately 20 houses (farms), a mill, a sawmill, a brewery, and an inn. In the 19th century, a manor farm was established.

The town of Koluszki lies on the Łódź Plain, meaning the terrain is flat, with gentle undulations. There are no mountains, no attractive landscapes, only peaceful plains. The surrounding area is heavily forested, especially to the south and east. The nearest area is the large Wiączyński Forest, and numerous green spaces surround the town, creating a favorable microclimate. The hydrography is modest, but the Mroga River flows nearby and serves as the area’s main waterway. The soils are average, typical of the Łódź region, with a predominance of sand and glacial soils. Koluszki lies in the historical Łęczyca region, part of the Masovia region.

Koluszki is a town that was founded on the Warsaw-Vienna railway line. This location became the first major railway junction on this line. The genesis was the extension of the railway to the dynamically developing city of Łódź, with its textile industry. The railway line divides Koluszki into eastern and western parts. The longest passenger tunnel in Poland runs beneath the station, primarily used by local residents. The two parts of the city are also connected by a viaduct along Przejazd Street, national road no. 715, and in the northern part of the city, a category “A” level crossing along Stanisław Wyspiańskiego Street.

On September 2, 1846, the first train of the Warsaw-Vienna Railway departed from Koluszki to Piotrków Trybunalski. The Rogów–Piotrków Trybunalski section of the Warsaw-Vienna Railway was then opened.

In 1863, a project to build a Rokiciny–Łódź–Kalisz line was proposed, but it was rejected. This rejection stemmed from the Muscovite military doctrine. The Muscovites viewed the railway not as a means of economic development, but as a military element. Two years later, Moscow agreed to build a short railway line from Koluszki to Łódź, with no option to extend it to Kalisz. The reason was that Łódź was used to produce cloth for uniforms and overcoats for Moscow soldiers.

On November 19, 1865, the Koluszki–Łódź Fabryczna railway line, known as the Łódź Fabryczna Railway, was launched. The line was built in 1865, within three months. Approximately 2,400 people were employed. The concession was issued for a period of 75 years. This was a very long period, which, in keeping with the Muscovite mentality, was first shortened and then nationalized.

In 1880, a two-station locomotive shed with a turntable was built. A water tower was constructed, with a reservoir capacity of 16.9 m³. This was associated with the dynamic development of the railway line passing through Koluszki. Another water tower was added shortly thereafter.

In 1885, the Koluszki junction was expanded due to the construction of a branch line from the Iwangorod-Dąbrowa Railway from Skarżysko Kamienna to Koluszki via Tomaszów Mazowiecki. This was a broad-gauge line. A railway line was also built from Łódź Kaliska station, providing access to Pabianice, Zduńska Wola, Kalisz, and Poznań. At the same time, the Koluszki bypass was built, running from Gałkówko to Mikołajów.

The first brick station in Koluszki was built in 1865, designed by the Polish architect of Dutch descent, Adolf Schimmelpfennig, by the Łódź-Fabryczno Railway, creating a junction station. The station also served passengers on the main line of the Warsaw-Vienna Railway, which ran through Koluszki. In 1872, the station was expanded. From 1885, the station also served passengers on the Ivanogródzko-Dąbrowa Railway towards Skarżysko Kamienna. However, the project to build a large central station for these three railways was never realized, and the station building, which was too small, was supplemented with wooden barracks. The station was demolished after 102 years of existence, and in its place was erected a modernist station pavilion, also located between the tracks. In 1865, the first multi-story brick station was built, with three single-story buildings with usable attics and two two-story buildings. Each building was covered with a slightly pitched gable roof. By this time, a wooden footbridge over the tracks had already been built, connecting both parts of the town and the platforms. There were two platforms and three platform edges. The platforms were wooden. The station building survived until 1967.

New workers arrived to work on the railway in Koluszki. Apartments were built for them. By 1883, the settlement had a population of approximately 400 people, and over 50% of them worked on the railway. Working on the railway was considered an honor. New streets were laid out, but they were not paved. Initially, there were no water or sewage systems. The main streets became Towarowa Street, 3 Maja Street, and the perpendicular Brzezińska Street, all on the western side of the railway line. It was decided to build a railway station here. New streets were laid out on a rectangular plan. A water tower, technical buildings, warehouses, and staff facilities were constructed for train services. All buildings were constructed of red brick.

By the end of the 19th century, Koluszki had become one of the most important railway junctions in the Kingdom of Poland, and also the gateway to Łódź. A locomotive shed, railway workshops, a forge, sidings, warehouses, loading yards, and housing for railway workers and their families were constructed.

At that time, the residents of Koluszki desired to build their own Roman Catholic church. Initially, the Muscovites were reluctant to consent to the construction of a church. The residents formed a public construction committee. The Tsarist authorities relented in 1896, and permission was granted to build a church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This, however, did not mean that construction proceeded without problems. Muscovites hindered the construction of the church in various ways, which was finally completed in 1921. The church still stands today, fortunately spared from the fighting of World War II.

At the turn of the century, the line from Słotwiny to Będzelin was opened. In 1903, the Koluszki–Piotrków–Radomsko line was built, further increasing the importance of the junction. In 1911, a Railway School and a Volunteer Fire Department were established in Koluszki.

In 1914, the Germans began the Great World War. In November 1914, a major battle took place near Łódź, associated with the Łódź Operation. The war halted the development of the Koluszki junction. In 1917, schools in Koluszki became exclusively Polish, with Polish as the language of instruction. These included middle and high schools. The schools provided training for railway workers. The Polish School Society was established. In 1916, the Germans established an Evangelical parish in Koluszki and built a wooden church.

After Poland regained independence, Koluszki became a key passenger transport hub between Warsaw and Łódź, as well as with the Dąbrowa Basin. The transport of goods increased: hard coal, timber, textile products from Łódź, grain, and military transports. Koluszki station was one of the busiest in Poland.

In 1919, Koluszki’s population exceeded 1,000, and by 1930, it had reached 3,500. In 1936, efforts began to obtain town privileges.

In 1926, during the May Coup, the people of Koluszki sided with Marshal Józef Piłsudski. The tracks were even dismantled to prevent troops from being transported to Warsaw.

In 1929, a new water tower was built, round, made of brick and plaster, and covered with a conical roof. The tower was built by the Żelazo-Beton Spółka zoo company. The tower still stands today (2025). Kościuszki Street. Nearby are four small apartment blocks built of red brick in the late 19th century. In the 1930s, another housing estate consisting of several two-story apartment blocks was built.

In 1936, the line from Południowe Żakowice to Słotwiny was completed.

By 1939, Koluszki was a very well-developed town. Two steam-powered sawmills, a brickyard, a flour mill, a slaughterhouse, a distillery, a juice factory, a cooperative bank, a cinema, the “Społem” Consumer Cooperative, a post office, hotels, restaurants, and shops. In 1936, the district assembly in Brzeziny was persuaded to take action at the provincial level to grant Koluszki city rights. Unfortunately, these efforts were interrupted by the outbreak of World War II.

On September 1, 1939, the Germans began World War II. On the very first day of the war, the Germans bombed Koluszki and its railway station. On September 6, 1939, the Germans entered Koluszki. The town was occupied during the German attack on Łódź and the surrounding area. Following the occupation, a German occupation administration was introduced, and the Polish and Jewish populations were subjected to repression, expulsion, and expropriation. Interestingly, the Germans gave Koluszki the status of a town, as if they were invincible gods. Koluszki found itself on the border between the General Government and the Third Reich. The border ran along the Mrodza River. During the occupation, the Germans established a Jewish ghetto in Koluszki. Approximately 3,000 Jews passed through the ghetto. In October 1942, the ghetto was liquidated, which meant the murder of those imprisoned in the German concentration camp at Treblinka. During the occupation, the railway was used for military transports. Transports of deported Polish people passed through Koluszki. However, a Polish resistance movement operated here, sabotaging the railway infrastructure. Underground organizations such as the Service for Poland, the Union of Armed Struggle – Home Army, the National Armed Forces, and the People’s Army were active in these areas.

In 1942, a railway section was built from Zielenie to Koluszki.

On January 18, 1945, the Soviet occupation began. This occupation theoretically lasted until 1989, and in fact, it still continues today. President Lech Wałęsa led the Soviet army out of Poland, but left behind Moscow’s spies.

On April 28, 1949, Koluszki-Kolonia received city status and the name Koluszki.

On April 30, 1954, the electrified section of the “Wiedenki” railway line between Skierniewice and Koluszki was opened. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in the presence of state and local authorities. In 1958, the Warsaw-Koluszki line was electrified, one of the first in Poland. In 1965, the Koluszki-Łódź line was electrified. During this process, the track layout at Koluszki station was changed. In the 1960s, a connecting line was built from Będzelin, allowing trains from Silesia to Łódź without having to change branches at Koluszki. In 1970, the Żakowice Południowe – Słotwiny section was electrified. In 1974, the Koluszki – Mikołajów section and on to Tomaszów Mazowiecki were electrified.

In the 1960s, a fuel depot was built in Koluszki, which was connected by pipeline to the plant in Płock. In the 1960s and 1970s, many apartment buildings were built in Koluszki, for example in the Głowackiego housing estate. In 1975, a road viaduct was built over the railway tracks, significantly improving safety. At the same time, the level crossing along Partyzantów Street was removed.

In the 1960s, a new mushroom-shaped “Kl” signal box was built at the station. The building still stands today. The building faces Skierniewice, just in front of platforms 1 and 2.

In the 1970s, the town already had 10,000 residents. Construction of additional housing estates was problematic due to the lack of water and sewage systems. Despite this, four single-family housing estates were built, housing approximately 2,000 people. Other companies operating in Koluszki, such as Odlewnia and CPN (Centrala Produktów Naftowych), also built apartment buildings. A heating plant was built, providing central heating and domestic hot water. In the 1980s, a new water treatment plant and a natural gas network for residential buildings were built.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the Koluszki junction handled a huge number of freight and passenger trains, the largest in its history.

On December 14, 1981, as a result of martial law, a strike was organized at the “Koluszki” Iron Foundry, which lasted 12 hours and was quelled by the ZOMO (Polish Military Oblast).

After 1989, Koluszki remained an important railway hub, but passenger and freight traffic declined significantly. In the 1990s, the modernization of railway lines in Poland was slow to begin. The Warsaw-Koluszki route was modernized. Railway traffic control equipment was modernized, and platforms were rebuilt.

An economic zone operates in Koluszki. Many streets, including street lighting and sidewalks, were renovated.

From 2006 to 2008, the line was modernized as part of the SPOT project “Modernization of the Warsaw-Łódź Railway Line.” As part of this modernization, platforms at Koluszki station were rebuilt, an underpass was constructed, and the overpass was dismantled. A footbridge over the platforms was constructed, the tracks, switches, and electric traction were replaced, and a Local Control Center was built. The locomotive shed was demolished. Garages for the handcars remained. On May 27, 2008, workers from the Rescue Train – Railway Lines Plant in Łódź began dismantling the pedestrian bridge. The cut-up sections of the footbridge were loaded onto railway platforms and sent to the steelworks. The underground pedestrian crossing was opened the same day. The tunnel is accessible to wheelchair users and cyclists. Elevators for passengers were installed on the platforms. The tunnel is one of the longest in Poland. The over 100-year period of referring to Koluszki residents living on opposite sides of the railway tracks as “Zamościaki” ended. The term “Za mostem” (Behind the Bridge) also disappeared.

After 2013, the era of the “Łódź Agglomeration Railway” began. The creation of the ŁKA (Łódź Metropolitan Railway) dramatically increased the importance of the junction. Koluszki became a major transfer point in the Łódź metropolitan area. Frequent passenger trains were launched to Łódź Fabryczna, Łódź Widzew, Skierniewice, Tomaszów Mazowiecki, and Radom.

In 2025, the station building that stood on the platform was demolished. A new station building was also opened. The station between the platforms was built in 1968. It was a modern building, housing ticket offices, a waiting room, a traffic kiosk, dispatcher’s offices, and restrooms. Access to the restrooms was from the outside, from the top of the building. The building even housed a bicycle shop.

In 2025, a new station opened, its construction costing 12 million złoty. Construction of the new station lasted from 2023 to 2025. The station’s dedication ceremony took place on January 24, 2025. The modern PKP railway station in Koluszki, adapted to the needs of passengers, was built in a new, improved location. The building is located on the side of the station’s main entrance, next to the municipal parking lot and bus bay. The investment was co-financed by EU funds. The construction of a new station in Koluszki was undertaken by the Polish State Railways (PKP). The investment created a modern space to accommodate the growing number of passengers arriving each year. According to the Office of Rail Transport, in 2023, the station in Koluszki served an average of 4,900 passengers daily and an average of 170 trains stopped there daily, and in 2025, this figure will reach 180 trains daily.

The first station in Koluszki was built in 1865 by the Łódź-Fabryczno Railway, designed by the Polish architect of Dutch descent, Adolf Schimmelpfennig, creating a junction station. The station also served passengers on the main line of the Warsaw-Vienna Railway, which ran through Koluszki. In 1872, the station was expanded. From 1885, the station also served passengers on the Ivanogródzko-Dąbrowa Railway towards Skarżysko Kamienna. However, the project to build a large central station for these three railways was never realized, and the station building, which was too small, was supplemented with brick and wooden barracks. The station was demolished after 102 years of existence, and in its place was built a modernist station pavilion, also located on the track between the tracks. Due to its location and high energy consumption, the Polish State Railways (PKP) decided to build a new station, closer to the access to the platforms, on the station square. The building was designed as a simple structure using modern technologies, primarily ceramic brick. Despite its extensive glazing, the building boasts low energy consumption. The northern façade of the station also features an image of the historic station, which has been applied to the glass with a one-way vision film. A modern clock tower located outside the building complements the building. The new building houses a waiting room, technical rooms, and commercial space. The building is barrier-free, with walkways and Braille signs. With travelers’ safety in mind, modern monitoring, access control, and intrusion alarm systems have been installed. The immediate area surrounding the station has also been developed, and a parking lot for 200 cars has been created near the underpass to the platforms, including electric car charging stations and spaces for people with disabilities. A covered bicycle shelter with a bicycle repair station was also constructed. New plantings were installed within the station area, and existing greenery was maintained. The investor for the Koluszki station was Polish State Railways S.A. The construction contractor was a consortium: Wimaks Toczyłowski Hińcza Sp. k. – the leader, and Wimaks Toczyłowski Dariusz – the consortium partner. The station construction design was developed by GPVT Pracowania Architektoniczna from Poznań.

On Kolejowa Street, there is a railway office building housing the headquarters of PKP Przewozy Regionalne, a limited liability company (Łódź Regional Transport Company, Koluszki Passenger Transport Section). Some former railway buildings have been sold and used as retail and service outlets.

Currently, Koluszki station has four island platforms, numerous holding and shunting tracks, a modernized signal box (LCS), and efficient connections with Łódź Fabryczna and the Central Railway Main Line. Railway stations no. “10,” “11,” and “12” are operational.

Over the past 10 years, passenger traffic at Koluszki station has steadily increased. In 2017, 767,000 passengers passed through the station. In 2019, this number reached 1,200,000, and in 2024, the number will reach 1,756,800. A slight decrease was recorded in 2021 due to the Chinese coronavirus pandemic. On November 12, 2025, 181 passenger trains departed from Koluszki station. The following stations were available: Białystok, Częstochowa, Drzewica, Gdynia Główna, Giżycko, Kołobrzeg, Końskie, Łódź Fabryczna, Łódź Kaliska, Olsztyn Główny, Opoczno, Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poznań Główny, Radomsko, Skarżysko Kamienna, Skierniewice, Szklarska Poręba Górna, Warsaw Gdańska, Warsaw Główna, Warsaw Wschodnia, Wrocław Główny, and Zgorzelec.

Railway lines:

Railway line No. 1 Warsaw – Katowice.

Railway line No. 17 Koluszki – Łódź Fabryczna.

Railway line No. 534 Koluszki – Mikołajów. Railway line No. 534 is a state-owned, electrified, single- and double-track line connecting Koluszki station with Mikołajów station.

LK No. 535 Zieleń – Koluszki. Railway line No. 535 is a secondary, electrified, single-track railway line connecting junction No. 7 at the Żakowice Południowe junction station with Koluszki station.

Railway line No. 44 Koluszki – Regny – Wykno / Mikołajów. It was and remains a military line. The line was electrified. The railway line from Mikołajów and Wykon leads to the 3rd Regional Logistics Base. From Koluszki, it leads to the former Rolling Stock Repair Plant in Koluszki, the Koluszki Foundry, and the Rewica Forest. This track system was built in the 1960s. A small station, Regny, or Budziszewice Łódzkie, operated on the line. It had an earthen platform and a waiting room. Signs warning of military status and “No stopping or parking” road signs are located around it. The 3rd Regional Logistics Base has an extensive track system.

There is a railway siding from Koluszki northwest to Fuel Base No. 1 in Koluszki and to the power substation. The track system of the fuel base is very extensive, with a single-station fire station.

There is a railway siding northbound to the Koluszki Power Supply Plant, on Stanisława Wyspiańskiego Street. There is a two-station fire station and three additional tracks. Nearby are the sites where Germans murdered the residents of Koluszki.

To the south of Koluszki station is the Koluszki Power Supply Plant. The Operations Section has its own sidings there. The section is located in the inter-track area, near the Koluszki Forest. The address is Wojska Polskiego Street 1, 95-040 Koluszki.

Słotwiny railway station is a freight station and passenger stop in Nowe Redzeń, southeast of Koluszki station. Nearby are the offices of PKP Energetyka Zakład Mazowiecki; the Power Plant in Słotwiny. The headquarters of the Liquid Fuel Logistics Operator based in Płock; and GATX Rail Poland, the Tank Management Plant, are also located here. There is a fuel bottling plant here for the Płock-Koluszki pipeline. At the Słotwiny station, there are trains No. 534 Koluszki-Mikołajów, No. 536 Słotwiny-Bęzelin, and No. 537 Żakowice Południowe-Słotwiny.

There are two passenger stops in the western part of Koluszki: Żakowice (rebuilt in 2006, two single-edge platforms) and Żakowice Południowe (two single-edge platforms).

Written by Karol Placha Hetman