This year's Gala of the 16th TRAKO International Railway Fair in Gdansk was an extraordinary event, marking above all two exceptional anniversaries: 200 years of railways worldwide and 100 years of PKP. In an atmosphere of great passion and mutual respect, the industry celebrated its greatest achievements, honouring the companies, institutions and people who build the modern face of Polish railways every day.
The gala was an opportunity to sum up the achievements of the past year, exchange inspiration and – most importantly – present the industry's most prestigious awards.
On stage, in the spotlight and to the sound of music, the presenters recalled how enormous a role railways play in the development of societies, connecting people, regions and economies. Celebrating these anniversaries together is not only a tribute to history, but above all an inspiration for the further development of rail transport in Poland and Europe. After the official speeches and thanks, it was time for the highlight of the evening – the announcement of the winners of the TRAKO 2025 competitions.
Socially Responsible Railway Company The competition organiser is the Association for Interoperability and Development of Rail Transport together with ASTE Sp. z o.o., in cooperation with the TRAKO International Railway Fair. In the 6th edition of this competition, the equal main awards went to: HellermannTyton Sp. z o.o., Koleje Wielkopolskie Sp. z o.o. and KZN CONTRACK Grupa KZN Bieżanów.
A special award was given to PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. for initiating and consistently running the "Safe Level Crossing" campaign together with its partners. Unexpectedly, a second special award was presented during the gala. It was received by the TRAKO organisational team from Międzynarodowe Targi Gdańskie.
Distinctions were awarded to: El-Cab Sp. z o.o., Kombud Group S.A., MMR Group Sp. z o.o., PKP Intercity S.A. and Stadler Polska Sp. z o.o.
Medal of the President of the Association of Polish Electrical Engineers The competition organiser is the Association of Polish Electrical Engineers
The winners were: – ETA Gliwice Sp. z o.o. for the Zero-Emission Level Crossing Signalling System "Green Crossing" type EZP-1 – MONAT Spółka z o.o. for the Road Traffic Offence Detection and Recording Module (TVIP-1M and TVIP-2M systems)
Professor Jan Podoski Award The competition organiser is the Chamber of Commerce of Urban Transport. In the "Rolling Stock Parts, Components and Equipment" category, the award went to MEDCOM Sp. z o.o. for the innovative FCEC-125 SiC fuel cell converter.
In the "Infrastructure" category, the award went to Zakład Automatyki i Urządzeń Pomiarowych AREX Sp. z o.o. for the 500 kW DC/DC converter station (PV-traction).
A distinction was awarded to Elester Sp. z o.o. for the KSO2 Cable Control System for Overhead Line Disconnectors.
Professor Czesław Jaworski Award The competition organiser is the National Board of the Association of Transport Engineers and Technicians of the Republic of Poland. In the "Rail Traffic Control Equipment" category, the winner was Kombud for a digital LED signal with LEU, compatible with the EULYNX interface.
In the "Infrastructure" category – Zakład Automatyki i Urządzeń Arex for the SEMSRail intelligent energy management system.
In the "Vehicles" category – PESA Bydgoszcz S.A. for the GAMA 3.0 locomotive generation.
Distinctions were awarded to: Alstom Polska S.A., Elester Sp. z o.o., PGE Energetyka Kolejowa S.A., Kuca Sp. z o.o.
Ernest Malinowski Award A competition organised by the TRAKO Fair Programme Council. In the "Rolling Stock and its Components" category, the winner was MEDCOM Sp. z o.o. for the multi-system static converter PSM-200W-AC SiC 3UIC.
In the "IT and Telematics Systems" category, the award went to PGE Energetyka Kolejowa for SENSUM – an eco-driving system for railways (Driver Advisory System).
Distinction: VOITH SE & CO. KG VTA for the CargoFlex Hybrid Automatic Digital Coupler.
Engineer Józef Nowkuński Award A competition organised by the TRAKO Fair Programme Council. In the "Completed Track and Building Investments" category, the award went to KZN CONTRACK Grupa KZN Bieżanów for the renovation of the track and switch layout at Plac Zawiszy in Warsaw using CONTRACK technology.
In the "Infrastructure Innovations" category – Pixel Sp. z o.o. for a passenger information system using e-paper technology.
Distinctions were awarded to: Kyosan Electric Manufacturing for a 2D Laser system for detecting obstacles at level crossings, and Track Tec S.A. for a Condition Monitoring System (CMS) for switches.
Jan Raczyński Media Award The competition organiser is Międzynarodowe Targi Gdańskie. The main awards went to: Łukasz Pawłowski and Bartłomiej Pomianowski for "Pociąg do Wielkopolski".
Distinctions: Łukasz Kijek, Emilia Derewienko and Wiktor Kazanecki.
Still to be decided are the competitions: Świat Małej Kolei, the Professor Henryk Baluch Award, and the award for the most attractive exhibition stand at the fair. The winners will be announced during the presentation of the special awards at the "Little Gala" – on Thursday at 12:15 in the Conference Centre, Room 4. Distinctions in all categories will also be awarded there.
Congratulations to all the winners and those distinguished – their achievements are an inspiration to the entire rail industry and proof that Polish railways are continuously developing while preserving their finest traditions.
