The sand railway system in Upper Silesia is a unique rail network that played a crucial role in the region’s mining industry. Built primarily in the 19th and 20th centuries, it was used to transport filling sand, essential for backfilling mine workings after coal extraction. The sand railway consisted of hundreds of kilometers of tracks, connecting sand pits with mines, industrial plants, and the region’s transportation infrastructure. Due to the specific nature of the loads, the wagons were adapted for transporting loose materials, making this system an integral part of the Upper Silesian landscape. Although the importance of the sand railway diminished with the restructuring of heavy industry, its remnants are still visible and serve as a testament to the region’s industrial history.
One of the last remaining landmarks associated with the sand railway in Silesia is the truss unloading bridge located behind the Poniatowski shaft, part of the former KWK Wieczorek mine in Katowice. The bridge was in use for nearly 100 years, from its construction in 1912 until 2020.
