Orneta 2026-02-20

Orneta Railway Station.

Address: Dworcowa 9, 11-130 Orneta. Geographic coordinates: 54.115N 20.151E. Elevation 70 m.

Orneta Station is located in Lidzbark County, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. Coordinates: 54°06′53″N 20°09′01″E. Currently (2024), the Orneta station is operated by the PolRegio rail carrier. Three pairs of trains (rail buses) run on the Olsztyn–Braniewo route. Occasionally, tourist trains appear on the route, usually chartered by railway enthusiasts, often by Germans. For example, there are trains called “Hansa Express” and “Classic Courier.” In 2018, Orneta Station served up to 20 passengers daily.

On August 1, 1884, the railway station opened, and the town of Orneta gained a rail connection with Olsztyn, via Gutkowo. In 1885, a connection with Pieniężno was opened. In 1894, a connection with Morąg was launched, and on September 1, 1905, with Lidzbark Warmiński. Construction of a line from Orneta to Elbląg, via Słobity and Bogaczewo, also began. The final line was the Pieniężno-Kornewo line (now the belt). It was opened in 1925. Thus, Orneta was a major railway junction. However, all railway lines were single-track.

Because the Warmia region is sparsely populated, rail, passenger, and freight traffic was not intensive. Until 1910, there were no plans to build double-track lines, although many engineering structures envisaged the addition of a second track. All lines in the Orneta area were built as cheaply as possible. Therefore, the lines feature numerous curves, ascents, and descents. These curves avoided hills, wetlands, and lakes. Consequently, the maximum speed on the lines did not exceed 60 km/h.

It is worth noting that in 1945, when Warmia and Mazury returned to Poland, Orneta had only one operational track to Olsztyn via Gutkowo. Most of the railway lines in the west-east direction were damaged, destroyed, and ultimately dismantled. The remaining railway lines were dismantled, some by Germans, others by Muscovites. The reason was the same: to hinder enemy transport. Furthermore, the Muscovites transported the dismantled tracks and railway equipment to Moscow. Currently (2018) there is a passenger and freight railway connection on the Braniewo – Orneta – Olsztyn route.

In 1948, the Polish State Railways (PKP) planned only the reconstruction of the Orneta-Pieniężno-Braniewo section. In 1948, the entire Gutkowo-Orneta-Pieniężno-Braniewo line was designated line number 221. The PKP plan was implemented, and service to Braniewo was restored. The line was always single-track and not electrified.

Orneta station opened in 1884. During the Germanic period (1883-1945), it was called Wormditt. The station is not large, but it had two ticket offices, a waiting room, a restaurant, and apartments for railway workers and the restaurateur. Restrooms were located in a separate building. The Orneta railway station building is a historic structure from the early 20th century, which has long since ceased to serve its original passenger service and remains closed. The station building was built between 1905 and 1912. The building’s architecture reflects the neo-Gothic style, often used in railway construction in East Prussia at the turn of the 20th century. The building is not large, but its architectural details make it appear much larger. The building’s style was intended to emphasize the importance of the railway and the city’s importance in the transportation network of the period. The station was built of red brick and roofed with red tiles. The building consists of three volumes. The outer volumes are two-story, while the middle one is single-story. Centrally located is the main hall with ticket offices, a restaurant, and a waiting room. The entire attic is usable. 

In the 1920s, the station building was partially rebuilt. The northern section was rebuilt and enlarged. The stepped gable walls were removed. A new gable roof was placed lengthwise (north-south). Previously, the building was oriented east-west. The changes made to the building are visible in old and new photos. Until recently, the building was inhabited by railway families. Currently (2026), the station building is closed and closed. There are no ticket offices or waiting rooms. Meanwhile, the process of finding a new use for the building is underway. The Orneta station was not included in a major passenger infrastructure modernization program, and PKP PLK has not put the building up for sale.

During the heyday of Orneta railway station, the station level had two island platforms, one platform adjacent to the building, and five platform edges. A passenger tunnel was planned, but this was never built. There was a small locomotive shed with two stations. There was no turntable. There were coal entanglements and an extensive track system. There was a huge loading yard, which still survives today. In the 1990s, part of the track was dismantled.

The first water tower in Orneta was built after 1912, but before 1920. It was a water main tower, but it was also used by steam locomotives. The tower that currently stands at the station (2026) was built after World War II, around 1950. It was constructed as a reinforced concrete structure, with two water tanks inside. The tower was used until around 1995.

Orneta station currently has only one island platform, with two edges. The platform is a low-rise platform with an asphalt surface. The platform length is 210 meters. Both tracks are operational and serve freight and passenger trains. Because the Olsztyn Główny – Braniewo line is single-track, trains pass through here. The station is served by the “OR” signal box, which houses mechanical levers for operating switches. The signal box is located in the southern part of the station and is the only signal box in Orneta. The station has shape signals, which were recently replaced with light signals. The station has three additional tracks for freight trains. Next to these tracks is a large storage yard. The station level is lit by lanterns mounted on tall poles. The northern terminus of the station is located near the viaduct over 1 Maja Street (provincial road No. 513). The viaduct is wide enough to accommodate three tracks, whereas currently there is only one. The track running next to the station building has been demolished. The former island platform, Platform 2, has also been demolished along with the tracks. The former Platform 3 is now Platform 1, the only one in operation. Access to the platform is via a walkway at track level.

In 2021, decisions were made to modernize the Olsztyn-Braniewo railway line. The work will shorten the journey time between Olsztyn and Braniewo to approximately 30 minutes. Trains are expected to travel at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Weight restrictions on freight trains will be lifted.

On the Olsztyn-Orneta section, approximately 20 km of track and many switches will be replaced. Platforms at stops will be modernized. New lighting and passenger shelters are planned. Facilities for disabled passengers will be added. A new rail traffic control center will be built in Gutkowo and Dobre Miasto. Eleven level crossings will be rebuilt. The revitalization will include 50 engineering structures: bridges, culverts, and railway viaducts. The project is valued at PLN 147 million. The work is scheduled for completion in 2024. The work is being carried out by a consortium of Rajbud, Torhamer, and Transtel.

The second section, Orneta – Braniewo, will also be modernized. The estimated cost is PLN 69 million. Stops, especially their platforms, in Grodzie, Jarzębiec, and Henrykowo will be modernized. The facilities will be equipped with benches, shelters, and information displays. A new control center will be built at the Orneta and Pieniężno stations. Three level crossings will be modernized. The work is scheduled for completion in 2024.

Departures from Orneta station: 06;11 Braniewo PR95901. 09;16 Braniewo PR95903. 13;27 Chorzele PR90935. 16;27 Braniewo 95907. 22;15 Braniewo PR95909. 08;23 Olsztyn Główny PR95912. 15;31 Olsztyn Główny PR95916. 06;09 Szczytno PR95910. 19;42 Szczytno PR95918. Arrivals at Orneta station: 06;05 Olsztyn Główny PR95901. 09;18 Olsztyn Główny PR95903. 16;26 Olsztyn Główny PR95909. 22;14 Olsztyn Główny PR95909. 06:09 Braniewo PR95910. 08:22 Braniewo PR95912. 11:21 Braniewo PR95914. 15:30 Braniewo PR95916. 19:41 Braniewo PR95918. 13:27 Szczytno PR90935. Carrier: PolRegio. Timetable may vary depending on the day of the week, season, or ongoing maintenance work.

Railway Line No. 221.

Line No. 221, Olsztyn Gutkowo – Braniewo, is 87.99 km long. It is single-track and non-electrified. Between 2016 and 2020, the line was partially modernized. The ballast, sleepers, and rails were replaced in places. Train speed increased from 40 km/h to 50 km/h. After 2021, further work led to a sectional increase in speed to 100 km/h.

Słobity – Bartoszyce Line.

The Słobity – Bartoszyce line was 82 km long. Since 1945, the line has been defunct. The line from Orneta to Słobity included stations and stops in Drwęczno, Bażyny, Dobry Pomorski, and Jankówko. In 1945, the Polish State Railways (PKP) and the Polish Army rebuilt a short section from Orneta station to the military airport in Orneta. The old embankment of the former railway line was partially utilized. Therefore, the siding ran in a long arc, reaching the MPS from the west, even though Orneta station is on the eastern side of the city. The siding had a total length of 8 km. Freight trains mainly delivered fuel, oils, and lubricants to the airport.

The siding was used until 1968. It was maintained for several years. The last freight train passed through the Orneta-Drwęczno section in 2001. In the following years, the siding was systematically dismantled. Over time, the railway viaducts on the former Słobity-Bartoszyce line were dismantled. Most of them were demolished during road renovations, which were widened because the clearance under the viaducts was limited.

One very interesting railway viaduct remains, spanning the Drwęca Warmińska River valley. The viaduct is built on four stone piers. The piers are so wide that they were designed for a viaduct with two tracks. Five steel truss spans, each carrying a single track, were placed between the bridge abutments and piers. Currently (2022), the bridge has no tracks. Entering the bridge poses a risk of falling and death. The entire old railway line is overgrown and practically inaccessible.

Orneta – Słobity Line.

The history of the Orneta – Słobity railway line (formerly the Germanic Wormditt-Schlobitten line) dates back to the 1920s. The line was commissioned in stages between 1925 and 1926. Remnants of embankments, viaducts, and bridge fragments of the former Orneta-Słobity line can still be found in the field today, and part of the track has been transformed into a bicycle trail known as the “Rolled Tracks Trail.”

Orneta – Morąg Line.

The Orneta – Morąg line was 29.10 km long. It opened on August 1, 1894. The line began just outside the town of Orneta and branched off the Słobity–Bartoszyce route, heading southwest. The route included stations and stops at Kurczy Las, Sportyny, Miłakowo, Niebrzydowo Wielkie, and Maliniak. The line was single-track. Passenger and freight traffic operated here. In 1945, the line was dismantled by the Soviet Army and taken to the Central Copernicus Science and Technology Park (CCCP).

The largest station on the route was Miłakowo. To this day (2022), the station building, consisting of three stories and a basement, is preserved, covered with a low-pitched gable roof. It is a typical Prussian railway structure. The building is constructed of red brick and is unplastered. There is also a utility building, also built of red brick.

Orneta – Lidzbark Warmiński Line.

The Orneta – Lidzbark Warmiński line ran through the following stations and stops: Opin, Wolnica, Łaniewo, and Bobrownik. The line was part of the Słobity – Bartoszyce line. Currently (2026), the old gauge track is called the “Rolled Tracks Trail.”

Written by Karol Placha Hetman