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Final reopening of the destroyed Weisseritz Valley Railway! (GER)

Discussion in 'International Heritage Railways/Tramways' started by Railboy, Jun 20, 2017.

  1. Railboy

    Railboy New Member

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    Hello alltogether,
    Last weekend, the SDG was finally able to open the missing part from Dippoldiswalde to Bad Kipsdorf.
    This fantastic narrow gauge railway got destroyed during the devastating flooding of 2002 and was ready to be made redundant. But thanks to local activists the railway line got spared from definit closure and the first half of the line was rebuilt to Dippoldiswalde in 2008.
    On the 17th of June, the remaining stretch to Kipsdorf was opened for traffic after waiting for 15 years after the massive destruction.

    Website (they do speak english due to the near of the city Dresden) of the SDG (you'll find the english information on this website)
    http://www.weisseritztalbahn.com/service/informationsmaterial/

    The supporting body of the weisseritz valley railway even organises musical special trains.
    https://www.facebook.com/IGWeisseritztalbahn


    Here's the english wikipedia article.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weisseritz_Valley_Railway

    This facebook page documented the rebuilding of the last section and there you'll find many videos
    https://www.facebook.com/Weisseritztalbahn2016/?ref=py_c

    Some more videos of the opening


    Compare these to the terrific destruction before.



    We'd gladly appreciate your visit in Saxony :)
     
  2. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Great news that the line has been restored. Looks well worth a visit.
     
  3. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    Excellent news indeed - never done the top part but the section which has been reopened for a few years is one of my favourite railway experiences!

    Steven
     
  4. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    I went in about 1994(?) Is the Konditori at Kurort Kipsdorf by the station still open?ions

    The Guard invited me onto the brake van so I could ride behind the loco on the way back, my hearing hasn't been the same after the steam worked bell on the street running sec
     
  5. Railboy

    Railboy New Member

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    Unfortunately the village has to recover after 15 with nearly no visiting tourists. Therefore there still some abandoned houses in the area, but I believe in the recovering of this scenic place (especially due to the near to the booming City Dresden, where many citizens want to hike in the mountains and will use the steam Train)
    The Konditorei is still there (hope you mean Konditorei Stanzel)
    http://www.konditorei-stanzel.de/

    The SDG will also build a carriage maintance shed, in order to upgrade the carriage works in Freital Hainsberg.
     
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  6. pete12000

    pete12000 Member

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    We're planning to visit in August, looking forward to travelling over the fully reopened line
     
  7. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Good news. Did the full length of the line on Himmelfahrt/Ascension Day in 1990. Long trains and lots of passengers that day. Let's hope the good times will return.
     
  8. Railboy

    Railboy New Member

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    Here's a longer video of the opening! It's professionally made and visualises everyone the scenic location where the train runs.
     
  9. pmh_74

    pmh_74 Well-Known Member

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    20(ish) years since I visited but fond memories, I'll be back at some point. Nice to have the line back.
     
  10. Railboy

    Railboy New Member

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    The Weißeritz Valley Railway is continously improving. They've just opened a new built carriage workshop in Hainsberg, which'll replace the old workshop in Potschappel (this site will be a storage area for carriages).
    Pictures can be seen in this thread: https://bimmelbahn-forum.de/forum/i...en-in-radebeul-und-anbau-in-freital/&pageNo=9
    The IG Weißertitztalbahn has finished the restauration of carriage 970-443 after a complete rebuilt of about 20 years. The carriage will be soon unveiled to public.
    Pictures of Restauration: http://www.weisseritztalbahn.de/webhits/
    Picture from finished inside: https://www.facebook.com/IGWeisseri...254846883448/2669309629777949/?type=3&theater
    Follow their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IGWeisseritztalbahn/?ref=py_c
     
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  11. garth manor

    garth manor Well-Known Member

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    The continuing recovery is excellent, this scenic line provides great walking and foto ops, easily accessible on the commuter service from Dresden Hbf, an easy visit for those who have never ventured to wonderful Saxony.https://www.steam-route-saxony.com/
     

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