German narrow gauge railways

9th April 2005

99.6001 and 99.6102 are prepared for duties outside Gernrode shed in 1983.

A brace of standard design of 2-10-2t s stand at Eisfelde Tahlmuhle.

The metre gauge Harz mountains network is very popular these days. I first visited the system in 1983 when some of the fleet were temporarily running in oil fired mode. One of the standard Babelsberg 2-10-2ts stands in Wernigerode station with a through train to Nordhausen. As can be seen from the number, this loco was carrying it's oil firing number 99.0233.

As mentioned in another collection, my first trip to Germany was partly to visit the metre-gauge Harz system. This system was such an experience to me.

Huge 2-10-2s storming up 1 in 30 gradients with steam everywhere and shrieking whistles - fantastic !!!!

I've not been back to the Harz system since 1988 so I cannot comment on how the system is today, but if it is anything like the system I remember, I stongly urge anyone to go for a visit.