Originally Posted by
Track
This reminds me of the trains from Poland to Ukraine, which used to run via Belarus but now avoid that country and use a (formerly minor) Poland/Ukraine border crossing - all this to avoid the Belarus visa requirements and the odious nature of that country.
Are you sure you are not thinking of the train from Warszawa to Wilnius, which used to travel through, Hrodna, Belarus (the most direct route), and therefore required all passengers to go through the hassle of getting a Belarus transit visa? This train was re-routed through Augustow a few years back, so it's no longer necessary.