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Trako

International railway trade fair held in Gdańsk, Poland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Trako
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Trako (officially Trako International Railway Fair) is the largest railway trade fair in Poland and the second largest in Europe.

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Trako trade fair logo

The exhibition was held in Gdynia in 1996, 1998, and 1999, and since 2001, it has taken place in Gdańsk every two years as part of the Gdańsk International Fair. Since 2013, the event has been hosted at the AmberExpo [pl] exhibition and office complex, located at 11 Żaglowa Street in Gdańsk.

The project director is Dorota Daszkowska-Kosewska.[1]

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History

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MTG Exhibition Centre, Trako's venue from 2001 to 2011
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AmberExpo, Trako's venue since 2013

In the mid-1990s, Poland's economic transformations focused on advancing transportation.[2] The only recurring national railway rolling stock exhibition at the time was part of the Poznań International Fair.[3] In 1995, the idea of organizing a specialized railway trade fair emerged at the East European World Trade Center Gdynia Expo.[2][4] The goal was to showcase technological advancements, facilitate information exchange on development trends, and review global railway industry tendencies.[2] Gdynia was chosen as the venue, with the event planned on a biennial cycle. The first Trako was held in 1996, a collaboration between WTC Gdynia Expo, Polish State Railways, industry associations, and academics.[4] After the 1998 edition, exhibitors' suggestions led to scheduling Trako in odd-numbered years to avoid overlapping with the Berlin-based InnoTrans fair.[5] The first three events took place at WTC Gdynia Expo[6] at 7/9 Tadeusz Wenda Street,[2] pioneering the railway trade fair concept in Poland.[5]

In March 2000, the Gdańsk International Fair acquired the rights to organize all trade fairs in the Tricity area from WTC Gdynia Expo, integrating them.[4] The 4th Trako edition in 2001 was held at the MTG Exhibition Centre at Maurycy Beniowski Street in Gdańsk,[2] with rolling stock displayed at the Gdańsk Oliwa railway station.[6] This edition established Trako among the most significant transport exhibitions in Central and Eastern Europe.[5] Exhibitor interest grew with each subsequent event.[7]

In 2007, the rolling stock exhibition expanded to include a siding at the MTG site. The Chamber of Urban Transport became a partner, broadening the fair's scope to include tram transportation.[2] In 2013, the 10th, jubilee edition of Trako was held at the new AmberExpo [pl] Exhibition and Congress Centre and the nearby Gdańsk Stadion Expo railway station [pl], close to the Gdańsk Stadium in Letnica district.[8] Since then, Trako has been recognized as Poland's largest and Europe's second-largest railway trade fair.[9]

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Editions

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More information Edition, Date ...

1996

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PS-00 vehicle from ZNTK Stargard [pl]

The first edition, titled 1st Trako International Railway Convention '96, took place from 1 to 4 October 1996 at the Expo hall in Gdynia. Exhibition stands, spread across two floors, featured domestic railway companies (primarily ZNTK), international firms, and trade publications. A scientific-technical conference ran concurrently, while rolling stock was displayed at Gdynia Główna railway station:[3]

1998

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Prototype of Talent

The 2nd Trako International Railway Convention was held from 23 to 25 September 1998 in Gdynia.[2] The main hall hosted exhibitor stands, including leading international rolling stock manufacturers and most domestic producers and repair plants. On the first day, a press conference featured Polish State Railways CEO Jan Janik, outlining the company's restructuring plans. The event included the symposium Railway into the 21st Century and the first-ever Trako awards. In the Ernest Malinowski competition for the best product, three equal distinctions were awarded to: an automated passenger information system from ZNTK Mińsk Mazowiecki, an axle counter from Frauscher Polska, and a hydraulic level crossing drive from Kombud. Six exhibitors received awards for the most interesting displays: Adtranz, Alstom, Bombardier, DGT [pl], Taps, and Siemens. Freight wagons were displayed on tracks next to the hall, and at Gdynia Główna:[10]

1999

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Bogie 25ANa, winner of the Ernest Malinowski award

The 3rd edition, renamed Trako International Railway Fair 1999,[2] was held from 20 to 22 October 1999, exceptionally a year after the previous event to avoid overlapping with Berlin's InnoTrans fair, held in even-numbered years. The Ernest Malinowski awards were given to: a bogie type 25ANa by ZNTK Poznań, a computer-based automatic block signaling system by Adtranz, and a modular electrical control cabinet for passenger cars by ZNTK Bydgoszcz.[11] A new award named after Czesław Jaworski recognized outstanding achievements in electric traction technology. The award went to the Institute of Electrical Apparatus at Łódź University of Technology, ABB, and Woltan for a new generation of direct current circuit breakers. Distinctions were awarded to: asbestos-free modernized traction contactors by Adtranz, a static railway converter by Medcom [pl], and a static passenger car converter by Adtranz. The best exhibition stands were recognized in categories for areas above and below 35 m². Rolling stock was displayed on sidings near the exhibition hall at Gdynia Port Centralny:[2][11]

2001

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Vehicle from the Partner family by Pesa

The 4th Trako International Railway Fair was held from 17 to 19 October 2001 at the MTG and Gdańsk Oliwa. Despite a stagnant railway market, over 130 exhibitors participated, setting a record at the time. The event featured seminars, the symposium Friendly Railway Transport, and the model exhibition World of Small Railways. Several competitions were judged. Three equal Ernest Malinowski awards went to Siemens, Adtranz, and Pesa, with a distinction for Kombud. The Czesław Jaworski award was won by Enika, with distinctions for Frauscher Polska and Arex, which also received the Association of Polish Electrical Engineers President's medal. Voith won for the best stand under 20 m², while Siemens took the award for stands over 20 m². The rolling stock exhibition included:[6]

2003

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Modernized 306A wagon by Pesa, winner of the Ernest Malinowski award

The 5th Trako International Railway Fair took place from 15 to 17 October 2003. Interest exceeded the previous edition, signaling a revival in Poland's railway industry. A notable event was the signing of a contract between PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe and Alstom Pojazdy Szynowe for the design, delivery, and installation of railway signalling devices on part of the E 30 railway [pl].[12] The event included the conference Railway – Integration – Europe, a Association of Polish Electrical Engineers seminar on Impact of Maintenance Quality on Electrical Safety and Passenger Security, the World of Small Railways exhibition, and the third Polish Railway Model Championships. Ernest Malinowski awards went to Kombud, Pesa, Vossloh, Communication Automation and Telecommunication Plants in Poznań, and Taps. The Czesław Jaworski special award was won by Woltan, with distinctions for Enika, Elester-PKP [pl], and Medcom [pl]. Kamax had the most attractive stand under 20 m², and Pesa won for stands above this size.[12] Displayed rolling stock included:[12][26]

2005

The 6th Trako International Railway Fair was held from 12 to 14 October 2005. It saw a record number of exhibitors and a surge in the component market. Exhibitors showcased braking systems, Poland's first and one of Europe's few power inverter-based drive systems, voltage converters, current collectors, high-speed circuit breakers, interior equipment, and air conditioners.[13]

The day before the fair, a seminar addressed Interface of 1435/1520 mm Railway Systems: Interoperability, Standardization, Certification. After the opening, a debate titled I Choose the Railway was held. On the second day, a two-session conference discussed Polish Railways in the Liberalized EU Market.[13]

Equal Ernest Malinowski awards were given to Alstom Pojazdy Szynowe, Bumar-Fablok, and PKP Informatyka, with distinctions for EC Engineering [pl], Graw Technical Services Company, Communication Automation and Telecommunication Plants, and Medcom [pl]. The Czesław Jaworski award went to Pesa, with distinctions for Graw, Medcom, and Enika. Pesa also received the Association of Polish Electrical Engineers President's medal. The most attractive stands were by Cargosped and Railway Transport and Stone Management Company [pl].[13]

Approximately 500 meters of exhibition tracks featured:[13]

Rolling stock at Trako 2005

2007

The 7th Trako International Railway Fair was held from 10 to 12 October 2007. The event saw another increase in exhibitors, making it the second-largest railway trade fair in Europe. Stands were set up in three halls, with the newest opened just before the event, and outdoors. Exhibitors offered a full range of products and services, including urban rail transport.[15]

The day before the fair, the second edition of the seminar Interface of 1,435/1,520 mm Railway Systems: Interoperability – Safety – Technologies and the first seminar Ad adapting Tram Transport to Modern Passenger Expectations took place. After the opening, a debate titled Railway in Poland in 2020 was held, followed by seminars on the second day: Rail Transport Market in Poland – Experiences and Forecasts and Railways in Agglomerations.[15]

In the Ernest Malinowski competition, three equal awards went to Kombud, Modertrans Poznań, and PKP Informatyka, with nine distinctions awarded to H. Cegielski – Rail Vehicles Factory [pl], Graw, Newag, ZNTK Poznań, Industrial Institute of Automation and Measurements, Tines, Siemens, Woltan, and Non-Electrical Quantities Measurement Electronics Plant. The Czesław Jaworski award was won by Woltan, with distinctions for Medcom [pl] and Pesa, which also received the Association of Polish Electrical Engineers President's medal. For the first time, awards for long-term contributions to rail transport technology were given to Enika, Pesa, and Siemens. The most attractive stands were presented by Cantoni Motor, ZNLE Gliwice, Stadler Polska, Siemens, Medcom, and Knorr-Bremse.[15]

The rolling stock exhibition was expanded with a newly built three-track siding, displaying:[15]

Rolling stock at Trako 2007

2009

The 8th Trako International Railway Fair was held from 14 to 16 October 2009.[27] Exhibitors, including operators, rolling stock and component manufacturers, consultancies, trade publishers, and railway organizations, displayed in seven halls and three outdoor areas of the Gdańsk International Fair.[16][27]

The day before the fair, the 3rd International Seminar on 1,435/1,520 mm Railway Systems Interface and the 2nd Technical Seminar were held. The opening ceremony featured a debate on Railway Investments as a Means to Mitigate Economic Crisis Effects, with experts, politicians, local authorities, and representatives of international and EU railway institutions. The second day included an open debate on the ERTMS.[16]

In the Ernest Malinowski competition, awards and distinctions were given in three categories:[16]

The Czesław Jaworski award went to Kuca Production Company, with distinctions for Woltan, ZNLE Gliwice with Institute of Electronics, and Medcom [pl]. The most attractive stands were by H. Cegielski – Rail Vehicles Factory [pl], Cantoni Group, Vagónka Trebišov, Tines, Alstom Konstal, and Stadler Polska.[16]

At Gdańsk Oliwa railway station, the following rolling stock was displayed:[16][27][28][29]

Rolling stock at Trako 2009

2011

The 9th Trako International Railway Fair was held from 11 to 14 October 2011, marking the first four-day edition and the opening of a new 2,000 m² hall, replacing temporary halls 3A and 4A.[18]

In the Ernest Malinowski competition, Solaris Bus & Coach won the Rolling Stock category, with distinctions for Pesa and Medcom [pl]. Bombardier Transportation Polska won the Infrastructure category, with a distinction for Tines. TK Telekom won the IT category, with a distinction for PKP Informatyka.[30]

In the Jan Podoski [pl] competition, Solaris won the Railway Rolling Stock category, Tines won Infrastructure, Trakcja-Tiltra won Power Supply and Electrical Infrastructure, and Novamedia Innovision won Other Systems for Control, IT, Ticketing, and Passenger Services. A distinction went to the Mint of Poland.[30]

The Association of Polish Electrical Engineers President's medal was awarded to Strunobet-Migacz, with distinctions for Trakcja-Tiltra and Pesa. The Association of Communication Engineers and Technicians of the Republic of Poland [pl] awarded Pesa for electric traction achievements, with distinctions for Medcom and Strunobet-Migacz. Stands by Dellner Couplers, Railway Publishing House [pl], Śrubena Unia, Solaris, DB Schenker Rail Polska, and Bahn Technik were recognized.[30]

Due to the modernization of Gdańsk Główny–Stargard railway [pl] and the reconstruction of Gdańsk Oliwa, the rolling stock exhibition was held on special tracks at Droszyński Street:[18][30]

Rolling stock at Trako 2011

2013

The 10th Trako International Railway Fair was held from 24 to 27 September 2013.[19] For the first time, it was hosted at the AmberExpo [pl] centre near Gdańsk Stadium in Letnica district. Over 500 exhibitors participated, primarily from Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, and United Kingdom. Half were returning exhibitors, and half were debuting. The fair covered all transport-related sectors: services, manufacturing, trade, logistics, and finance, with participation from industry organizations and research institutes.[8]

The day before the fair, conferences on Track and Vehicle Condition Monitoring Systems and Certification of Subsystems, Products, and Economic Entities in Rail Transport were held.[31] The event was officially opened by Deputy Minister of Transport Andrzej Massel [pl].[19] Various conferences, seminars, presentations, meetings, and debates took place over the following days.[31] Several agreements were signed, including a cooperation deal between PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe and DB Netz for developing the Szczecin Główny–Berlin Hauptbahnhof connection, and contracts by Pesa with Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn for nine Link diesel multiple units, with ZKM Gdańsk for five Jazz Duo trams, and with Szybka Kolej Miejska for modernizing 21 trains. Newag signed agreements with PKP Intercity for modernizing 20 diesel locomotives and delivering 10 new locomotives.[19]

The following competitions were judged:[8]

  • Ernest Malinowski competition for innovative railway products and technologies:
    • Rolling Stock: Pesa (award), Siemens, Knorr-Bremse, and Taps (distinctions)
    • Infrastructure: Tines (award), Track Tec (distinction)
    • Information Technologies: PKP Informatyka (award), Avista (distinction)
    • Honorary Ernests for long-term jury service: Franciszek Wielądek [pl] and Radosław Żołnierzak
  • Association of Communication Engineers and Technicians of the Republic of Poland [pl] Czesław Jaworski competition for electric traction solutions: Medcom [pl] (main award), Strunobet-Migacz, Enika, and Kuca (distinctions)
  • Chamber of Urban Transport Jan Podoski [pl] competition for urban transport innovations:
    • Railway Rolling Stock: Solaris Bus & Coach (medal)
    • Components and Equipment: Medcom (medal), Modertrans Poznań (distinction)
    • Track Infrastructure: Transcomfort (medal)
    • Other: Novamedia Innovision (medal), Polgrad (distinction)
  • Association of Polish Electrical Engineers President's medal for Polish electrical products: Protektel and Solaris

The outdoor exhibition was relocated to the area adjacent to AmberExpo.[8] Some vehicles were displayed at Gdańsk Stadion Expo railway station [pl], others on a city-side parking lot.[19] Displayed vehicles included:[8][32]

Stands at Trako 2013
Rolling stock at Trako 2013

2015

The 11th Trako International Railway Fair was held from 22 to 25 September 2015 at AmberExpo [pl] in Gdańsk. Over 15,000 visitors attended, with more than 600 exhibitors from 20 countries, covering a 20,000 m² exhibition area and 800 meters of rolling stock tracks at Gdańsk Stadion Expo railway station [pl].[21] Conferences and seminars began the day before.[33] On the first day, a modernized electric multiple unit for Przewozy Regionalne was showcased,[34] and Pesa premiered its Dart.[35] The second day featured the debut of Pesa's push-pull train.[33][36] Over 30 debates were held, accompanied by the World of Small Railways exhibition. The event, under the honorary patronage of Minister Maria Wasiak,[21] who attended on the second day,[37] joined the European Car-Free Day campaign for the first time.[21]

The following competitions and awards were presented:[38]

  • Józef Nowkuński [pl] competition: Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna (award), Pesa (distinction)
  • Ernest Malinowski competition:
    • Infrastructure: Bieżanów Railway Trackworks Plant (award), Bombardier Transportation Polska, Kombud (distinctions)
    • Rolling Stock: Track Tec (award), Solaris, Enika (distinctions)
    • IT: Macro System (award), Radionika (distinction)
  • Association of Communication Engineers and Technicians of the Republic of Poland [pl] Czesław Jaworski competition:
    • Infrastructure: Strunobet-Migacz (main award), Mabo (1st distinction), Pfisterer Group (2nd distinction)
    • Vehicles: Pesa (award), Solaris (1st distinction), Newag (2nd distinction), EC Engineering [pl] (3rd distinction)
  • Chamber of Urban Transport Jan Podoski [pl] competition:
    • Railway Rolling Stock: Pesa (award), Solaris (distinction)
    • Components and Equipment: Macro-System Mieszko Ciepliński (award), Novamedia Innovision (distinction)
    • Track Infrastructure: M&MR Trading Polska / Transcomfort
    • Power Supply and Electrical Infrastructure: ABB
    • Other: Macro-System Mieszko Ciepliński (award), Lesser Poland Machine Factory in Brzesko (distinction)
  • Association of Polish Electrical Engineers President's medal: Bitstream
  • Most attractive exhibition competition:
    • Up to 30 m²: Eneria, Ster, Agat
    • Over 31 m²: Bombardier Transportation Polska, Kinex Bearings, Stadler Polska
  • Socially Responsible Railway Company: Enika, PKP Energetyka, Axtone [pl] (awards), Łódź Agglomeration Railway (distinction)
  • The Golden Chariot award: Maria Wasiak, Tadeusz Szozda [pl], Mirosław Smulczyński, Track Tec

Displayed rolling stock at Gdańsk Stadion Expo railway station [pl] included:[38][39]

Stands at Trako 2015

2017

The 12th International Railway Fair Trako 2017 was held from 26 to 29 September 2017 at AmberExpo [pl]. The event hosted 700 exhibitors from 25 countries. The exhibition area covered 30,000 m², and rolling stock as well as track machines and equipment were displayed on tracks with a total length of 1 km. For the first time in the fair's history, a Career Day was organized on the last day of the event.[23]

The following competitions were concluded and awards presented:[40]

  • Józef Nowkuński [pl] award:
    • Completed line and building investments in Poland: Track Tec (award), Trakcja PRKiI (distinction)
    • Innovations in infrastructure: Rail-Mil Computers (award), Elester-PKP [pl] (distinction)
  • Chamber of Urban Transport Jan Podoski [pl] award:
    • Rolling stock: Modertrans Poznań (award), Solaris (distinction)
    • Parts, components, and rolling stock equipment: Enika (award), Medcom [pl] (distinction)
    • Track infrastructure: M&MR Trading Polska (distinction)
    • Power and electrical infrastructure: Trakcja PRKiI (distinction)
  • Association of Communication Engineers and Technicians of the Republic of Poland [pl] Czesław Jaworski award:
    • Vehicles: Pesa (award), Enika (distinction)
    • Infrastructure: Elester-PKP [pl] (award), Kuca (distinction)
  • Most attractive exhibition:
    • Category up to 30 m²: Koltech, První Signální, Elester-PKP [pl]
    • Category from 31 m²: Przewozy Regionalne, Aste, Cenzin
  • Socially Responsible Railway Company award: Koleje Dolnośląskie, DB Cargo Polska, Łódzka Kolej Aglomeracyjna
  • Association of Polish Electrical Engineers President's medal: Trakcja PRKiI, Medcom [pl]
  • The Golden Chariot award: Medcom [pl], Knorr-Bremse, Viktor Kashanau
  • Patriot Ring of the Association for National Security Support: Sławoj Leszek Głódź, Krzysztof Mamiński [pl]
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207E-001

Rolling stock presented:[41][42]

2019

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Flirt 3 for Masovian Railways

The 13th International Railway Fair Trako 2019 was held from 24 to 27 September 2019 at AmberExpo [pl]. The honorary patron of the fair was the Minister of Infrastructure.[43] The event hosted 647 exhibitors from 32 countries.[44] Rolling stock as well as track machines and equipment were once again displayed in front of the AmberExpo building and on the tracks near the Gdańsk Stadion Expo railway station [pl]. One of the most important highlights of the edition was the premiere of the first hybrid train on the Polish market, presented by Newag. The project was kept secret until the last moment. The Education and Career Day, held on the last day of the event, was organized for the second time in the fair's history. On the same day, a meeting between the Rail Passenger Rights Ombudsman [pl] and passengers took place.[45]

Awards and competitions:[46]

  • Ernest Malinowski award:
    • Rolling stock and its components: Newag
    • IT and telematic systems for rolling stock: Rail-Mil Computers
    • Technical and technological innovations applied to rolling stock: Iris-GmbH infrared & intelligent sensors
    • Distinctions: Track Tec, Ente, Przedsiębiorstwo Usługowo-Techniczne GRAW
  • Józef Nowkuński [pl] award:
  • Jan Podoski [pl] award:
    • Rolling stock for urban transport: Modertrans Poznań
    • Parts, components, and rolling stock equipment: Medcom
    • Power and electrical infrastructure: Elester-PKP
    • Distinctions: Stadler Polska [pl], Mabo
  • Association of Communication Engineers and Technicians of the Republic of Poland [pl] Czesław Jaworski award:
    • Vehicles: Medcom
    • Infrastructure: Elester-PKP
    • Distinctions: Kuca, Rail-Mil Computers, Corail TS
  • Most attractive TRAKO exhibition:
    • Stands up to 30 m²: Arex, Thermo King, TK Telekom
    • Stands over 30 m²: Ministry of Infrastructure, Railway Institute, Center for EU Transport Projects [pl], Office of Rail Transport [pl], Newag, Track Tec
  • Socially Responsible Railway Company award: Enika, PKP Energetyka
  • Rzeczpospolita and logistyka.rp.pl award: Medcom, Track Tec, PKP Cargo, PKP Energetyka
  • Association of Polish Electrical Engineers President's jubilee medals: Dorota Daszkowska – TRAKO project director, Elester-PKP, Railway Communications Works [pl]

Rolling stock presented:

2021

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Trako 2021

The 14th International Railway Fair Trako 2021 was held from 21 to 24 September 2021, as usual at the AmberExpo complex at 11 Żaglowa Street in Gdańsk. This was the first year in which TRAKO and Innotrans were scheduled to take place in the same year, rather than, as before, alternating every two years; the events were planned separately, with a short break between them. The fair was conducted on the modernized tracks of Gdańsk Główny–Gdańsk Brzeźno railway [pl], which positively affected visitor comfort and the exhibition area. As usual, debates, conferences, seminars, and presentations were held during the fair.[47]

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