Harz Narrow Gauge - HSB

99 6001 worked back to Wernigerode last night, complete with the stock, so that's it for steam on the Selketalbahn for the foreseeable.

 

Are you sure about that?

There's a special timetable for September 30-Novermber 3 during which the line is closed south of Alexisbad. I presume therefore that whatever is at Gernrode during this time is trapped on the Selketalbahn. And this timetable shows steam - in fact it has four steam departures from Harzgerode most days (if I'm understanding the notes correctly), which must be unprecedented in recent times.

333_30.09.2024-03.11.2024_Herbst.pdf (hsb-wr.de)

(Harzgerode is a nice little station, but there is so much redundant siding space there, it's a shame they don't do something with it. They could build a lovely museum to put some of the long-stored locos on display. But I digress.)

 

On the German Bimmelbahn-Forum in the thread "Betrieb der Harrzer Schmalpurbahnen (HSB) 2024" on page 170 there is a post #1.696 from Monday at 16:47 that says that 99 7240 has replaced 99 6001. I find the Bimmelbahn-Forum is a mine of information on German and other countries railways both current and historical.

 

https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/sach...QX0f06FlSmGjw_aem_ubByzoWCmHAEtL735uBb6A#Doch

€5.6m losses last year! Not looking good sadly. Lack of overhauls over the last few years is catching up with them as well.

Benneckenstein station building is also due to be demolished shortly as well due to dry rot. The building was leased to another company a few years ago who went bust, but the railway have only just been able to take back control of the building.

https://www.lok-report.de/news/deut...arzer-schmalspurbahnen-in-benneckenstein.html

 

Sad. If that was in Britan a supporter group would rally round and erect a replica building. It's not all that big, and made of wood, how hard could it be?
I remember it described in a British video as 'Ben Eckenstine'....

 

https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/thue...eCmPgCQrFf2nuyDRWg_aem_QVRi2K7q9JanYyhfANT5kg

Nordhausen have said they're not giving any money to HSB next year.

In other news, only steam 5 locos available for traffic - 3 in Wernigerode, one at Nordhausen and the last at Gernrode.

 

So more Red Camels on pax I should imagine.