Modern trains on stamps - we promote ecological railways
"Modern Rolling Stock" is a series of five postage stamps with a tag that Poczta Polska will introduce into circulation on Wednesday, March 31st. These stamps were created in cooperation with the Office of Rail Transport. This coincides with the designation of 2021 as the European Year of Rail (EYR2021) by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Presenting the newest stamps to Poczta Polska customers and philatelists is an opportunity to promote rail as an environmentally friendly and modern means of transport. The issuance of the stamps also symbolically marks the beginning of EYR2021 in Poland.
Designer Jan Konarzewski, in his latest publication, showcased modern electric rail vehicles used in Poland by major carriers – PKP Intercity, Polregio, and Koleje Mazowieckie. The stamps depict the Pendolino, Flirt, Dart, Impuls, and Elf II trains, while the tag features a historic steam locomotive. Poczta Polska also issued three limited-edition First Day of Circulation (FDC) envelopes. These feature images of railway bridges.
" With each passing year, Polish railway rolling stock is becoming increasingly modern and safer. Poczta Polska (Polish Post) recognizes this and, together with the Office of Rail Transport, is presenting rail vehicles on five stamps, promoting not only the safest but also one of the most environmentally friendly modes of land transport. A philatelic curiosity is the Pt31 steam locomotive depicted on the stamp, which was synonymous with the modernity of Polish railways in the 1930s, " says Wiesław Włodek, Vice President of Poczta Polska.
Poczta Polska's latest issue is a response to philatelists' demand for railway-related items. It also provides an excellent opportunity to promote eco-friendly modes of transport. The slogan "Green Post" is one of the key goals of the company's latest strategy.
The European Commission initiated the ERK2021 project. Numerous rail transport-related events will be held throughout 2021, aiming to enhance the importance of rail and promote it as a smart and eco-friendly means of transport. The national coordinator of these events is the President of the Office of Rail Transport, with whom Poczta Polska collaborated on the latest issue.
On Monday, March 29th, the European Commission and the Portuguese Presidency officially launched the Year of Railways. In Poland, the symbolic start of the Year of Railways is the launch of stamps featuring modern rolling stock.
" I'm pleased that we've managed to encourage Poczta Polska to issue this series of stamps. Railways are a vital part of life and the economy of every country. Their potential and environmentally friendly nature deserve to be emphasized at every turn. The European Year of Rail is an impetus for the broad promotion of rail transport as a safe, environmentally friendly means of transport that connects people and regions, " said Dr. Ignacy Góry, President of the Office of Rail Transport, summarizing the launch of the issue.
An additional attraction of the latest series is that, in addition to the standard perforated stamps (125,000 pieces of each), Poczta Polska will introduce non-perforated stamps into circulation (10,000 pieces of each), which will be a rarity for collectors.
This isn't the first railway-related publication by Poczta Polska. In 2018, the company issued stamps in the "100 Years of the Kędzierzyn-Koźle Steam Locomotive Depot" issue, featuring locomotives of the Ty42-107 and TKt48 series.
About the stamps:
stamp designer: Jan Konarzewski
number of stamps: 5
value: PLN 3.30
circulation in the perforated version: 125,000 pcs
circulation in the non-perforated version: 10,000 pcs
stamp printing technique: offset
stamp format: 76.5 x 31.25 mm
form of sale block: 5 stamps + tag
paper: fluorescent
date of introduction into circulation: March 31, 2021
This and other philatelic publications of Poczta Polska can be purchased at post offices and online store: www.filatelistyka.poczta-polska.pl