My latest DVD features digital footage from 2005 and 2007 of the Harz (Wernigerode – Brocken section), Fichtelberg and Preßnitztal railways in former East Germany. The first two moved from DR ownership into local government/private ownership without closing and without major changes to the service they provide. As such, you could argue that they are still real steam. The third line was closed and a section from Jöhstadt to Steinbach has re-opened as a preservation scheme with weekend and seasonal trains and special events. In the footage, we see 2-10-2T locos (two classes, two gauges), 0-4-4-0T Mallets and 0-4-4-0T Saxon Meyers in action. The Prussian IV K class Saxon-Meyers (cousins to the British Kitson-Meyers) with their inward facing cylinders and super-smooth running – sounding like steam sewing machines - are a personal favourite.
Click on the illustrations to see QuickTime movie clips from the DVD.
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