This past spring and summer, rail operators in Poland squabbled over how to carve up a diminishing budget. Keeping up with timetables that changed by the week was hugely frustrating for passengers and railway staff alike. But this autumn matters have greatly improved with a few bright lights in the Polish wilderness.

A new rail route over the Krkonose mountains, linking Szklarska Poreba (Poland) with Harrachov (Czech Republic) opened in late August and next month the rail service between Lublin and the beautiful UNESCO-listed town of Zamosc will be restored.