Just like SP/SU series made steam passenger transport uneficient, so ST43 and ST44 were the direct cause of withdrawal steam locomotives in freight transport. ST44s were ordered in Soviet Union in mid-sixties (in total number 1182) and serviced unlectrified freight lines and broad gauge line from USSR to Silesia (Slask). Presented ST44-1056 (freshly repaired) from Depot Zajaczkowo Tczewskie (the largest freight station for Gdansk/Gdynia ports) is joined to freight train in Koscierzyna on July 04, 1997 during heavy rain.

Photo and scan: Jerry D. Stawarz (jareks@fs-samba.com.pl, my PKP page: http://panda.bg.univ.gda.pl)