Wernigerode & the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen in 1996
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Monday April 15
A more sensible start time was had on April 15. Again the weather was lovely and sunny. On this day I planned to take some photographs of the trains in Wernigerode and have a look around the town in the morning. In the afternoon I planned to complete my coverage of the HSB routes by taking the train up the Brocken.
99 7240-7 heads away from Wernigerode Kirchstrasse up the street at the only location on the system it doesn't run on on a separate trackbed. The train is the 09:37 to Brocken. April 15 1996
From Kirchstrasse I headed back to Westerntor to see if anything was going on and it was ! There was a little bit of shunting taking place. Surprisingly this was been done by a steam loco and not one of the resident diesels.
The cabside plates on 99 7231-6, class K57 10. April 15 1996
In between being shunted 99 7231-6 and 99 7236-5 at Wernigerode Westerntor. April 15 1996
'Red Camel' 199 891-3 along with 99 7238-1, 99 7232-4 at Westerntor. April 15 1996
Whilst the endless shunting manoeuvers continued I headed in to the lovely town.
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Wernigerode
Rathaus (town hall) is sadly never well lit for photography. April 15
1996 |
Wernigerode is a well preserved and historic town. I highly recommend staying there for a few days even if the trains don't interest you. I didn't really do the 'tourist bit' but there is plenty to keep you busy.
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On
the road out of the town centre towards Westerntor is this tower and spire.
I have no idea what it is or why it is here ! April 15 1996 |
Just to the south of Westerntor station the railway cuts through a very busy junction between 4 roads on the level.
99 7239-9 crosses the main road junction just to the south of Wernigerode Westerntor on the 11:30 Wernigerode to Nordhausen train. April 15 1996
I planned to catch the 14:15 service to Brocken from the main station at Wernigerode. Having had a bite of lunch I headed down to the station to see if anything was happening on shed or on the standard gauge.
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DB
Class 232 diesel 232 238-6 at Wernigerode on a goods train. April 15 1996 |
2-10-2t 99 7240-7 was on Brocken duty on April 15. Having been there in the morning the loco returned at 13:15 to allow servicing before heading out again. There seemed to be some problem with the loco as the crew spend a bit of time working on the feedwater pump.
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The feedwater
pump on 99 7240-7 gets some attention at Wernigerode depot. April 15 1996 |
Whatever had been wrong with it was either fixed or didn't matter too much as the loco was ready in time to haul train 8941 from Wernigerode.
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99
7240-7 climbs through the forests above Steinerne-Renne towards Drei Annen
Hohne on the 14:15 from Wernigerode to Brocken. April 15 1996 |
99 7240-7 takes water at Drei Annen Hohne. April 15 1996
From Drei Annen Hohne the Brockenbahn route diverges from the Nordhausen line and the real climbing starts. Again the line climbs through tree plantations with only brief glimpses of the scenery. However the forest is attractive in itself and the roar from the engine is very entertaining ! From Drei Annen Hohne the line climbs 145 metres to the next station at Schierke, another water stop for the engine.
The HSB style nameboard at Schierke. April 15 1996
With the tanks topped up the final section of the climb commences before the station loop ends. With another 435 metres to climb the loco has to work very hard. As the height increases the trees start to thin out and superb views over the surrounding Harz region can be had. To this day it is one of the best train rides I have ever undertaken. Others may be more spectacular but the Brocken is certainly one of the best and perhaps somewhat under-rated. The views from the summit are excellent and make a superb destination.
99 7240-7 sits in the station at the summit of the Brocken after arriving with the 14:15 from Wernigerode. April 15 1996
During the Cold War the Brocken summit was a Russian military listening post and as such was shut to visitors. Today the remaining Russian buildings are preserved.
99 7240-7 at Brocken station and in the background is part of the former Russian military infrastructure connected with the spying station. April 15 1996
99 7240-7 at Brocken station and, in the distance several thousand feet below, is the town of Ilsenburg. April 15 1996
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Part
of the infrastructure left on the Brocken by the Russians. April 15 1996 |
99 7240-7 runs round at Brocken prior to hauling the 16:42 back to Wernigerode. April 15 1996
A nice gentle run was had back in to Wernigerode where I took a few more photographs in the evening sunshine.
Wernigerode Castle, high above the town. April 15 1996
And
that just left one more day before I headed home.....
Back to April 14 or April
13 or April 12 1996