Narrow gauge railways eastern Germany (750mm-1000mm)

Hello,

due to the mismanagement of the economy of the former GDR, some great steam narrow gauge railways were able to survive. Thanks to the fall of the communism, loads of railway enthusiasts were able to rescue most of the lines and rolling stock. In the following I want to show you, that a large network of narrow gauge railways still exist in eastern Germany. Eastern Germany is really a place worth to visit and it's not a bad place as it is often presented in the media.

I want to list the railways with a brief description up from north to south.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern:

Molli 900mm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molli_railway

It`s a very scenic railway with a modern reconstructed Infrastructure. Nearly all trains are pulled by steam. There are loads of touristic sights in the near of the railway.



RBB Rügensche Bäderbahn (Rasender Roland) 750mm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rügensche_Bäderbahn

Located on the beautiful island Rügen. Loads of sea baths can be visited there. The regular trains are steam trains.

https://www.facebook.com/ruegensche.baederbahn.rasender.roland



Brandenburg:

Pollo Prignitz area 750mm
All Trains are steam hauled. The 9 km were rebuilt by a group of railway enthusiasts. They are currently rebuilding the telegraph line and their next plan is to rebuild the station at Mesendorf.

https://www.facebook.com/kleinbahnmuseum



Sachsen-Anhalt:

KJ-1 (Kleinbahn Jerichower Land) 750mm

Currently most trains are diesel hauled. They are currently rebuilding the railway line. In summer, they plan to open the next strech of line. In the future, they plan to have a 5,3 km long narrow gauge line.



https://de-de.facebook.com/kj1.de

Mansfelder Bergwerksbahn 750mm

It`s currently the oldest working narrow gauge railway in Germany. The trains are steam hauled. The heritage railway is the remaining part of the former railway network of the old mining area there.

https://www.facebook.com/Bergwerksbahn



HSB Harzer Schmalspurbahnen 1000mm (a small part is on the territory of Thüringen)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harz_Narrow_Gauge_Railways

It the largest connected narrow gauge system in Germany. The normal trains are hauled by steam locomotives. Located in the beautiful mountains of Harz, loads of attractions can be found there.

https://de-de.facebook.com/HarzerSchmalspurbahnen



Saxony:

In generally Saxony has still a high density of narrow gauge lines especially in the mountainous area. All these railways have the gauge of 750 mm.

SDG Sächsische Dampfbahn Gesellschaft:
This company has currently 3 lines in operation. Nearly all regular trains are hauled by steam locomotives.

Fichtelberg Railway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichtelberg_Railway

Is a nice railway taking the passengers on the Fichtel mountain. In winter, skiing is also possible.



Lössnitz valley Railway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radebeul–Radeburg_railway

Located north of the scenic city of Dresden, this railway line connects Radebeul with the town of Radeburg. In the near of Radeburg, there's the palace of Moritzburg a well known historic touristic site.

https://www.facebook.com/Traditionsbahn-Radebeul-eV-181337512029912/
https://www.facebook.com/loessnitzgrundbahn



Weißeritz Valley Railway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weisseritztal_railway

A narrow gauge Railway steaming through the beautiful valley of the weisseritz. Is currently beeing reconstructed.




Zittau Oybin Jonsdorf Railway
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schmalspurbahn_Zittau–Kurort_Oybin/Kurort_Jonsdorf

Located in eastern part of Saxony. this railway serves some spa resorts.

https://www.facebook.com/Zittauer-Schmalspurbahn-541846799159160/



Döllnitzbahn
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Döllnitzbahn

Döllnitzbahn operates the remaining part of the former large Mügelner netz. This railway passes through hilly saxonian countryside. The supporting group of railway enthusiast are currently trying to reopen a short stretch of line.

https://de-de.facebook.com/wilder.robert.ev/



Pressnitz valley railway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressnitz_Valley_Railway

One of the best preserved and rebuilt heritage railways in Germany. The trains are steaming through a lovely countryside. They are currently raising funds to complete the historical reconstruction of Jöhstadt station.

https://www.facebook.com/pressnitztalbahn



Wilkau-Haßlau–Carlsfeld narrow gauge railway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilkau-Haßlau–Carlsfeld_narrow_gauge_railway

This is also a rebuilt heritage railway. It is located in the naturally preserved countryside of the Vogtland.

https://de-de.facebook.com/MuseumsbahnSchoenheide



Schwarzbach Railway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwarzbach_Railway

A group of railway enthusiast is currently trying to rebuild a part of the narrow gauge railway.

https://de-de.facebook.com/Schwarzbachbahn-eV-233503850062475/



Cheers
Fred

 

Hi Fred,
I have visited Germany for steam regularly both east and west since late DDR days and agree with you 100% that the narrow gauge lines are well worth seeing. Thank you for linking to my HSB video, it is much appreciated.

 

Thanks for those links, Fred. Very useful.

 

The Sächsisches Schmalspurbahn-Museum at Rittersgrün is well worth a visit too. Three steam engines and some other interesting exhibits including a narrow gauge postal coach. It is possible to get there by bus from Oberweisenthal so you can combine it with a trip on the Fitchtelbergbahn with a bit of planning.

There are also a lot of railway exhibits in the technical museum in Dresden.