Sucha Beskidzka 2025-06-18

Railway line No. 97 Skawina – Sucha Beskidzka – Żywiec.

Railway line No. 97 Skawina – Sucha Beskidzka – Żywiec is a single-track, electrified line with a length of 82.708 km. In the Network Train Timetable, the line is No. 137. The line was launched on December 22, 1884, as part of the Galician Transversal Railway. The line was electrified in 1974, on the Skawina – Sucha Beskidzka section and in 1989, on the Sucha Beskidzka – Żywiec section. In the period 2010 – 2014, passenger train traffic was suspended on the Sucha Beskidzka – Żywiec section. The reason was the poor technical condition of the route, on which the speed of trains was limited to 20 – 30 km/h. In January 2015, seasonal connections were restored. Since 2015, renovations have been carried out, which have improved the condition of the route. On the Skawina – Sucha Beskidzka section, in the period 2012 – 2014, the track layout was rebuilt due to the construction of the Świnna Poręba dam (Mucharskie Lake on the Skawa River). The reconstruction included the Zembrzyce – Dąbrówka section. New bridges were built. In 2024, the renovation of the Sucha Beskidzka – Żywiec section began. During the renovation, replacement bus transport was introduced. Trains to this section will return at the end of 2026.

LK No. 97 Skawina – Sucha Beskidzka – Żywiec is 82.708 km long and runs diagonally in a south-westerly direction, from the Małopolska province to the Silesian province. The line runs through difficult mountainous terrain and there is practically no possibility of laying a second track. The height difference is from 215 m to 561 m, or 343 m. On the Skawina – Sucha Beskidzka section, the train speed is 100-120 km/h.

Due to the construction of a water reservoir in Świnna Poręba in the period from 10 March 2014 to 15 December 2014, a section of the railway line was relocated on the section 34.100 km – 43.078 km. The railway track on the Stryszów – Sucha Beskidzka section runs, among others, on the new hydrotechnical embankment of the water reservoir. Two bridges were built on the new route, equipped with a traction network. In Dąbrówka on the Stryszawka River, a 4-span, 234-meter crossing was built, 27 meters high. A larger 400-meter bridge was built in Zembrzyce on the Skawa. This 7-span structure, with 24-meter supports, is the largest of its kind in Małopolska.

On December 30, 2014, a contract was signed between PKP PLK and Skanska for the construction of a connecting line between railway lines No. 97 and No. 98 in the town of Sucha Beskidzka. The connecting line made it possible to eliminate the need to change the train front in Sucha Beskidzka, for trains on the Kraków-Zakopane route. Additionally, a passenger stop, Sucha Beskidzka Zamek, was built on the connecting line. The construction of the connecting line was completed in December 2016, and on June 11, 2017, trains began running on the connecting line.

In May 2017, a contract was concluded for the construction of the Radziszów Centrum passenger stop and the construction of a connecting line in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, which connected LK No. 97 with LK No. 117. Work began in March 2018 and was completed in 2020.

In June 2024, PKP PLK and Strabag signed a contract for the renovation of line No. 97 on the Sucha Beskidzka – Żywiec section. Work began on November 30, 2024. The modernization included the replacement of 35 km of tracks, replacement of switches, traffic control system, replacement of the traction network, renovation of bridges and culverts (90 structures) and rail-road crossings (55 structures). New platforms will be built. The renovated stops are: Stryszawa, Lachowice, Lachowice Centrum, Kurów Suski, Hucisko passing station, Pewel Wielka, Pewel Wielka Centrum, Pewel Mała, Żywiec Sporysz. The maximum axle load will be 221 kN. The traction network will be adapted to a speed of 160 km/h. The SHP system (automatic train braking) will be left. The modernization is planned to be completed in 2026. 

After the renovation, the following carriers will return to the route: InterCity, Koleje Małopolskie, Koleje Śląskie and PKP Cargo. The cost of the investment was estimated at PLN 360 million. No funds were obtained for the implementation of the investment from the famous EU KPO, although the government; Volksdeutsche, communists and freemasons, kept promising it. The investment will improve travel comfort and reduce travel time. There will be a much larger transport offer. It was planned to place as many as 24 pairs of passenger trains on the route per day. Because the line crosses the border of the Małopolskie and Śląskie voivodeships, therefore, in 2025, carriers began talks on the network of connections. Everyone is optimistic, because remember that Koleje Śląskie already runs to Krakow, and Koleje Małopolskie runs to Katowice. For residents of the Sucha and Żywiec counties, this means more convenient commuting options to work and school. For tourists, this is a new, more interesting offer to travel from the capital of Małopolska to the Żywiec Beskids, and from the Silesian Voivodeship to the Tatra Mountains.

Description of LK No. 97.

Skawina station (0.00 km, elevation 215 m). LK No. 97 starts from LK No. 94. The line leaves Skawina station in a westerly direction and heads south. The line crosses the Skawinka River on a truss bridge. At 0.89 km, there was a siding in a westerly direction, to the Skawina Metallurgical Plant, which currently does not exist. On the eastern side of the line is the Lajkonik confectionery factory.

Rzozów Centrum passenger stop (2.70 km, elevation 220 m). Before the platform there is a passage along the local Hallerów street.

Rzozów passenger stop (4.08 km, elevation 222 m). Behind the platform there is a passage along the local Kolejowa street. Further on the line crosses the Mogilanka River.

Radziszów Centrum passenger stop (5.08 km, elevation 225 m). In front of the platform there is a crossing along Lipowa Street. Further on the line crosses Zawodzie Street and a little further on the crossing Torowa Street.

Radziszów station (7.21 km, elevation 230 m). At the station there are three through tracks and an island platform with two edges. Further on the line runs the Cedron River valley. Behind the station there is a crossing along Skawińska Street. Further on the line heads west. There is a crossing along Lipki Street.

Wola Radziszowska Lipki passenger stop (9.09 km, elevation 233 m). Behind the platform there is a crossing along Nad Torem Street. Further on there is a viaduct over Potokowa Street. Then there is a crossing along Kolejowa Street.

Wola Radziszowska passenger stop (10.34 km, elevation 240 m). Behind the platform there is a crossing along Garcowiec Street. Further on there is a crossing along Górki Street, and a little further on Kalwaryjska Street.

Podolany passenger stop (12.44 km, elevation 244 m). Further on, behind the stop there is a crossing along the local street.

Leńcze station (14.62 km, elevation 251 m). There are four through tracks at the station. The platform is an island and has two edges. Before the station there is a crossing along the local road. Further on, DW No. 953 joins the line.

Przytkowice passenger stop (18.76 km, elevation 268 m). Before the platform there is a crossing along the local road. The line continues in the Cedron River Valley, between the river and DW No. 953. Next, there is a passage along DW No. 953. Then the line splits; direction Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and direction Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Lanckorona, i.e. Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Północ junctions (20.93 km, elevation 290 m). LK No. 621. The line again crosses DW No. 953, Adama Mickiewicza Street. Next, there is a passage along Batalionów Chłopskich Street. 

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Lanckorona station (22.25 km, elevation 295 m). LK No. 117. This is a large station with 6 through tracks. There are two platforms and three platform edges here. There is a footbridge above the tracks. Next, the line passes under the viaduct DK No. 52, Krakowska Street. Near the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska sanctuary, the line changes direction several times to avoid the hills and climb higher. The line runs through forests and crosses Lanckorońska Street in passing. Nearby are Kalwaryjskie Paths. The line crosses local roads several times.

Stronie station (28.99 km, elevation 404 m). There is one island platform and two platform edges at the station and there are three through tracks. Behind the platform there is a passage along the local road. Further on there is another passage along the local road.

Stryszów station (33.11 km, elevation 340 m). The station has three through tracks and one island platform and two platform edges. Historical Site 97/1 (34.61 km, elevation 315 m), LK No. 97a. Former route of the route. Further on the line crosses several local roads at crossings.

Dąbrówka Jezioro Mucharskie passenger stop (35.61 km, elevation 304 m). There is the first bridge over the Jezioro Mucharskie reservoir. The line runs along the edge of the lake. There is a second bridge over the reservoir. Further on the line runs under DK No. 28 and then runs parallel to this road. The line runs parallel to the Skawa River.

Zembrzyce passenger stop (40.82 km, elevation 316 m). Historical Site 97/2 (41.95 km, elevation 319 m), LK No. 97a. Former route of the trail.

Zembrzyce Nowe Mijanka (42.32 km, elevation 320 m). Change of kilometre 43.197 km to 43.07 km. Historical Site 97/3 (43.19 km, elevation 325 m) LK No. 97a. Former route of the trail.

Sucha Beskidzka Północ branch post (44.34 km, elevation 330 m). LK No. 620. The line turns west and crosses Zamkowa Street and the Stryszawka River over a bridge. Suski Castle is nearby.

Sucha Beskidzka station (46.23 km, elevation 344 m). LCS. LK No. 98. Sucha Beskidzka railway station is the largest station on the line. The Railway Rolling Stock Plant operates at the station. There are two platforms and four platform edges at the station. There is a footbridge above the tracks for pedestrians; travelers and residents. Behind the station, the line crosses Słoneczna Street. The line runs between the Stryszawka River and DW No. 946 (Role Street). The line runs westward. The line crosses several local roads and the Stryszawka River by a bridge.

Stryszawa passenger stop (50.40 km, elevation 388 m). Before the platform, there is a crossing along Błądzonka Street. Further on, the line crosses DW No. 946. The line runs parallel to the Lachówka River.

Lachowice station (52.48 km, elevation 405 m). There are three through tracks, an island platform and two platform edges. Further on, the line crosses several local roads.

Lachowice Centrum passenger stop (55.15 km, elevation 445 m). Before and behind the platform there are crossings along local roads. Nearby there is a parish church, a school and a kindergarten. The line runs along the main road of Lachowice and the Lachówka River. Further on, the line crosses several local roads. Then the line crosses the main road of the town and the Lachówka River. The line enters the forest.

Kurów Suski passenger stop (58.60 km, elevation 505 m). Behind the platform there is a crossing along the local road. The line continues to change direction many times. The line crosses two local roads and enters the forest.

Hucisko passenger stop (61.80 km, elevation 561 m). Here is the highest point of the line and the Hucisko Pass. Elevation height 561 m. Further on, the line enters the forest again. From this point, the line goes downhill. Małopolska/Silesia voivodeship border, 63.65 km.

Pewel Wielka passenger stop (65.10 km, elevation 496 m). The stop is in the forest. Behind the platform there is a passage along the local road. Further on there is a bridge over the Szewski Potok river. Then there is a passage along Na Lasek street. The line approaches the Pewlica river.

Pewel Wielka Centrum passenger stop (67.48 km, elevation 460 m). The stop is located near the Pawlica river, and beyond the river there is the Church of St. Maksymilian Maria Kolbe. Further on there is a passage along U Świętych street and crosses several streams. Further on the line runs next to the power station and the Delphi plant. The line crosses the Koszarowa river by a bridge.

Jeleśnia station (70.25 km, elevation 429 m). At the station there are three through tracks and an island platform with two edges. Before the station the line crosses Starowiejska street, and behind the station Żywiecka / Jana Kazimierza street. Further on the line crosses the Sopotnia river. Then the line crosses the Koszarowa River, then DW No. 945, Żywiecka Street. The line runs along Pod Grapą Street. 

Pewel Mała passenger stop (73.85 km, elevation 393 m). Behind the platform there is a crossing along Jana Pawła II Street. Then there is a bridge over the Pewlica River. The line runs along the Koszarowa River, which flows from the southern side of the line. Then the line crosses Malownicza Street. Then the line crosses the Koszarowa River and DW No. 945 (Mikołaj Kopernika Street) and runs between the line and the river. The line runs by the Żywiec water treatment plant.

Żywiec Sporysz station (78.15 km, elevation 361 m). The station has three through tracks, an island platform and two platform edges. There are several schools at the station; a primary school, a car school and a high school. Further on, the line crosses DW No. 945, Mikołaj Kopernika Street and runs between the Koszarowa River and DW No. 945. The line crosses the Młynówka River. The line runs near the Castle Park. The line crosses the Soła River. Then, it runs over Dworcowa Street on a viaduct and enters Żywiec station in an arc to the south. 

Żywiec station (79.30 km, elevation 354 m). LCS. LK No. 139. The station is a large junction station. There are 8 through tracks, 3 platforms and 5 platform edges. There is a footbridge for passengers and residents above the tracks. The footbridge is named after the Home Army.

Written by Karol Placha Hetman