Poland’s Casey Jones

Howard Jones is to be awarded an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen for services to British – Polish cultural exchange and for the preservation of Poland’s industrial heritage. Jones runs a steam train drivers’ center in western Poland which has become major tourist attraction.

If you are an enthusiast of steam-hauled trains, a place to come is the small town of Wolsztyn in western Poland. It is the centre of steam rail operations conducted by the PKP, the national railway company of Poland. One of those who turned Wolsztyn into a major tourist attraction is Howard Jones. Later this month he will travel to London to be decorated with the Order of the Member of the British Empire.

It was about ten years ago that Howard Jones decided to escape the stresses of running his own tour business in the UK. With financial support from a group of fellow steam locomotive enthusiasts, he signed an agreement with the Polish state railway company, bought a house in Wolsztyn and set up a company which offers driver training for visitors from around the world.

‘At first it was difficult because I don’t think Poland quite recognized what it had in industrial heritage. Wolsztyn, to me, is the equivalent to the Acropolis in Athens or the Coloseum in Rome. It’s something very special. I have to say that now, since the split of PKP (Polish Railways), the approach is totally different. PKP Cargo fully understands what they have but 8 or 9 years ago no one knew what it was all about. Even so, sadly, there’s a degree of ignorance in Poland that they have a treasure because far more people could come here’.

What is important, Wolsztyn is not a preserved railway but a scheduled mainline service. Those who’ve been there say this is a unique experience - undergoing on-the-job training sitting in the engine’s right-hand seat under the careful guidance of the engineer. Thanks to Howard Jones, Wolsztyn has attracted thousands of enthusiasts from places as far away as Japan, including those who’ve made fifty visits in several years. The Member of the British Empire is in recognition of his work in Wolsztyn and efforts to promote Polish-British contacts. Howard Jones describes his time in Poland as the happiest period in his life.

‘In England we are a charitable trust which means we’re non-profit making, and all the money goes into sponsoring things in conjuction with PKP Cargo and helping to maintain the scheduled services. I’ve done this more for love than money, but it’s been the happiest period in my life. I’ve had many years in the travel industry, many stresses and strains, although now there are also stresses and strains I’m much happier, much more relaxed than I’ve ever been. Life here is very good to me.’

The ceremony of presenting the medals is scheduled for November 17. Howard Jones is looking forward to it, though he’s not particularly delighted with the prospect of flying to London. After all, he’s a steam-hauled trains enthusiast.
Source:ByMichal Kubicki, polskieradio.pl