From Weiz to Birkfeld: Steam on the Feistritztalbahn in south-eastern Austria

The 23.9 km long narrow gauge line from Weiz to Birkfeld was opened as late as 1911. The line features the usual 760 mm “Bosnian gauge” and connects to the standard gauge network in Weiz. Originally the line continued from Birkfeld for another 18.3 km to the town of Ratten, but this track was dismantled and removed in 1981. Already before that, passenger services were cancelled from Weiz to Ratten in 1971 and later from Weiz to Birkfeld in 1973. Touristic steam trains were introduced in 1994. Freight traffic continues to this day between Weiz and Oberfeistritz, with the mineral talc being the main good transported. The Feistritztalbahn features three different tunnels and several attractive viaducts, the longest of which is 276 m long. Due to its close proximity to Graz, the line is one of the most popular heritage railways in Styria.

Spring Excursion with 03 1010 around Leipzig

On Sunday 6 May 2012, the Railway Touring Company will organize a spring steam charter with the formidable German "Pacific" 03 1010 around Leipzig, on a big loop through Saxony. 1st class is already fully booked, but there are still seats available for any steam enthusiasts or ardent "track bashers" that would like to ride along in 2nd class.

The loco covers the following route:

Leipzig - Riesa - Coswig - Meißen - Nossen - Döbeln - Waldheim - Chemnitz - Glauchau - Meerane - Gößnitz - Altenburg - Leipzig

This allows for some high speed running and peformance "cranking" on the Leipzig - Dresden main line as far as Coswig, as well as numerous attractive gradients to battle between Meissen and Chemnitz. The track via Waldheim is additionally quite unusual for steam haulage. In case you would like to ride along in 2nd class just for the day, please write the tour manager and day oraganiser. You will then receive your confirmation. Email: nineteenosix at gmail.com 

The expected departure time from Leipzig Hbf is around 10 am, the return no later than 6pm. Picture of 03 1010 courtesy of Eduard Sassmann!

A Visual Tribute to Hans Peter Pawlik

In early January 2012 the famed Austrian railway painter and illustrator, as well as longtime ÖBB employee, Hans Peter Pawlik passed away. For more than 40 years, he used his artistic skills to create memorable works that capture the quintessence and romance of railways! Many of his water color paintings have been published as postcards or in books, especially as part of the Slezak series. His favorite subjects were the venerable Austrian steam locomotives from the early 20th century, as pictured above. In this image one may behold the beauty of the legendary Gölsdorf-designed Class 310. Artwork obviously is timeless and so are all of Pawlik´s works, as reminiscences of a long-gone era. Image and picture courtesy of Eduard Sassmann!

Ol49-59 at Poznań

An atmospheric noctural impression of the handsome Polish 2-6-2, Ol49-59 at Poznań Główny in early January 2012. The crew of the locomotive calmly waits for the last steam depature of the day to Wolsztyn. As usual, a light load of two coaches, filled with steam enthusiasts is attached. Timetabled, daily Polish steam at its best!

Impressions of Austrian Steam Locomotives

Some handsome visual impressions from Ampflwang, Austria.  All pictures courtesy of Eduard Sassmann!

The Ballenberg Dampfbahn in the Berner Oberland

The Berner Oberland is a hotspot for steam attractions, with lots of locomotives and two grand paddle steamers on offer for all locals and tourists alike. The Ballenberg Dampfbahn is a key part of the mix with its two operational narrow gauge locomotives. The rack tank Nr. 1067 is quite famous for its regular conquests of the Brünig pass, while Nr. 208 is perhaps a bit less well known. Still, this cute little 2-6-0 is a true flatland sprinter and is regularly deployed for both public and charter steam trains on the route Interlaken Ost - Brienz - Meiringen - Innertkirchen. Here the locomotive may be seen strutting its stuff in winter. Pictures courtesy of Olivier Bachmann. 

Prague Pictures - Goggles Galore

The refurbished Class 750.7 "Goggles" have become the new flagship and standard bearer of ČD´s fleet of main line diesel locos. Overhauled by CZ Loko in Česká Třebová, these locos all feature the new "Najbrt" color scheme, with the blue and white corporate identity of the state railway company. Even with all of that unitary visual standardization going on - Czech locos always having been known for fresh liveries and lots of nifty variety in terms of paint schemes - the ever creative Czech railwaymen and ČD employees still have managed to sneak in some creativity! Because each Class 750.7 loco has received a unique and prominent nick-name, which in itself is nothing new, but the fact that Italian female names were chosen, is definitely a very original wrinkle for the Czech crews! So as can be seen on this picture of 750 704 in Prague, here comes Giulietta!

By Paddle Steamer to Strehla and Lössnig on the Elbe

Informationen auf Deutsch - weiter unten!

May 7^th, 2012 – 10am, from Dresden Terrassenufer

As part of its spring tour to Germany and the Czech Republic, the Railway Touring Company will charter the historic paddle steamer „Krippen“ (built in 1892) from the Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt for a truly unique cruise on the River Elbe. This trip will allow the side-wheeler to cover river mileage well beyond the routes regularly served on public sails. Normally steamers turn around at Seusslitz, while no steamboat trips have gone to Riesa in a really, really long time either! All the more rare and special is therefore the downriver destination of Strehla and Lössnig, well beyond Riesa! Between these two quaint Saxon towns the Elbe indeed forms two magnificent bends in immediate succession, making for a handsome „reverse S“ set in a gorgeous landscape. Indeed the river bend at Strehla is considered to be one of the most beautiful anywhere along the Elbe, which has its source in the Giant Mountains and eventually flows into the North Sea after Hamburg.

In case you are interested in joining this cruise as an independent, individual guest, your participation is definitely possible and most welcome! The cost of the all-day cruise is 70 Euro. (Children under 16 travel at half price.) You are simply required to make an advance reservation by email. Please send your advance booking to the following email address: nineteenosix    at    gmail.com . Payment will not be required until the day of the cruise onboard the steamer. The “Krippen” will depart Dresden at 10am and return after 9pm. There will be no intermediate landing, as there are no landing slips at Riesa or Strehla either. The ship will feature a full catering /culinary service with food and drinks that you can purchase individually.

Perhaps you care to join RTC and the Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt on this special steamboat cruise!

Infos zur Fahrt auf Deutsch! 

Montag 7. Mai 2012 – 10 Uhr, ab Dresden Terrassenufer


Die Britische Railway Touring Company chartert anlässlich ihrer Frühlingsreise in Deutschland den Raddampfer „Krippen“ (Baujahr 1892) von der Sächsischen Dampfschiffahrt für eine ganz spezielle Sonderfahrt von Dresden flussabwärts und weit über Riesa hinaus, zum wunderschönen Elbebogen zwischen Strehla und Lössnig. Dieser weit geschwungene Flussbogen, der ein grosses, umgekehrtes „S“ mitten in beschaulicher Landschaft bildet, gilt als einer der schönsten entlang der ganzen Elblandschaft zwischen Riesengebirge und Nordsee. Diese Reise mit dem Raddampfer ergibt zudem auch die seltene Möglichkeit die interessante Flusslandschaft ausserhalb des traditionellen Stammgebietes der Sächsischen Dampfschiffahrt zu erleben. Seit Jahrzehnten hat kein Dresdner Dampfer auf einer öffentlich zugänglichen Fahrt diesen Flussabschnitt befahren. 


Die ganze Rundfahrt ist eine umfangreiche Tagestour mit Abfahrt und Rückkunft ab Dresden Terrassenufer. Eine Mitfahrt für Dritte ist möglich, es ist dazu nur eine Reservation per Email nötig! Die Kosten sind 70 Euro für die ganze Tagestour. Kinder unter 16 reisen für den halben Preis mit. Das Schiff wird normal bewirtet sein, wie bei den andern Rundfahrten der Sächsischen Dampfschiffahrt. Falls Sie mitfahren möchten, bitte melden Sie sich unter der Emailadresse: nineteenosix at gmail.com . Die Bezahlung an den Reiseveranstalter Railway Touring Company erfolgt dann erst am Tag der Fahrt, auf dem Schiff. Die Rückkunft des Dampfers in Dresden erfolgt am selben Abend, nach 21 Uhr. Ein Landgang unterwegs ist nicht vorgesehen, da es in Strehla oder Lössnig auch keine Anlegestellen hat.


Wir freuen uns auf Ihre Mitfahrt! 

Eine historische Ansicht vom Städtchen Strehla mit Burg. Kolorierter Stahlstich von J. Umbach nach einer Zeichnung von Ludwig Rohbock, veröffentlicht von G.G. Lange. Circa 1840 – 1856.

Prague Pictures - Autumn Colors with Yellow RegioJet Trains

RegioJet is the upstart new kid on the block in the Czech railway world. Student Agency´s bright yellow trains started their regular services on the Praha - Ostrava corridor in late September and so for the first time there is liberalized long distance rail transportation in the Czech Republic with actual competition. RegioJet has a lot going for it, like the free onboard wifi service, the friendly, multi-lingual stewards and the comfy Austrian first class coaches that have been re-designated as standard class, so everyone can travel like a VIP. Thanks to RegioJet breathing down its neck, the state operator ČD has already started slashing prices and offering special discount deals, while it also plans to equip a lot of its future rolling stock, that is now in production, with wifi equipment, meeting the internet-access-while-travelling demands of the Czech public. These pics show some of the modern RegioJet trains around Prague, both en route to and parked at the main station. 

Introducing Prague Pictures - With a Panoramic Phot

The city of Prague is a scenic place to watch trains and document both nostalgic specials as well as contemporary railway operations. A vibrant variety of different locomotives and coaches, from various European companies passes through town each day, while local stalwart České dráhy still adds the most color to the local track landscape. Signifcant sums have been invested by the Czech government into regional infrastructure improvements and the wide-scale modernisation of routes, rolling stock and stations, so there is a fascinating mix that can be captured on film. This new segment on Steam Blog therefore dedicates time and space to Prague and it's ever unfolding railway landscape. 

As the first image to get things going, here is a shot from Prague 6, showing the EuroCity EC 172 "Vindobona" racing northwards along the Vltava on the main line towards Děčín and Dresden. This image from September 2011 still shows the composition with two attached DB coaches. As of the timetable change in December 2011, DB will withdraw all of its modern IC coaches on deployment in Central Europe (stock shortage at home) and let partner railways fill the gap. The "Vindobona" set, running from Villach via Wien, Brno, Praha, Dresden and Berlin to Hamburg will then become an all ÖBB-rake. In the background can be seen Prague Castle and parts of the city's skyline.

The Engines of PS "Waverley"

The seagoing paddle steamer "Waverley" features the largest, inclined marine steam engine on any operational side-wheeler in the world! This impressive bit of kit was built in the 1940s by Rankin & Blackmore in Greenock, Scotland. The three-cylinder engine is rated at 2100 horsepower and capable of turning over 57 rounds per minute. 

The White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark´s Trading Post in New Hampshire

There are many impressive heritage railroads across the United States, which offer an attractive selection of tourist trains hauled by technically noteworthy steam locomotives. In New England, the hub of steam railroading lies in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. With no less than three different steam railroads in close proximity, this area should be on any rail enthusiast’s radar and is absolutely worth visiting, especially during Indian summer and at the peak of fall foliage. The two regional stalwarts, the Mount Washington Cog and the Conway Scenic are already very well known and internationally acclaimed. The “diamond in the rough” amongst this nostalgic New Hampshire threesome, however, is the White Mountain Central Railroad in Lincoln. Based at Clark’s Trading Post, a local favorite and classic, back-country New England attraction, replete with an old fire station and live black bear shows, the White Mountain Central is remarkable for its absolutely unique collection of different, standard gauge steam locos. Chief amongst them is the two truck Climax locomotive Nr. 6, one of the very few operational Climax kettles in the world. This technical marvel is accompanied by two other logging locos, a Shay and a Heisler, though both of these presently are out of operating condition.

Still, the Climax has two more operational fleet mates, first and foremost the big and bulky 2-4-2 Baldwin tank engine Nr. 5 and a smaller 0-4-0 Porter tank. To add glamour and romance, all of these locomotives have been converted from coal to wood firing. The line itself meanders along the mighty Pemigewasset River and also crosses a typical covered bridge, which was relocated to Lincoln, NH from East Montpelier, Vermont in the early 1960s. 


The best time to visit the White Mountain Central is definitely for the annual Railroad Fest in mid September, when every time all the stops are pulled out and big bash is put on, replete with caboose rides and footplate experiences. At the same time the leafs of New Hampshire´s dense forests are also already turning and the autumn colors are out. New England at its natural and breathtaking best! http://www.clarkstradingpost.com/

Přerov celebrates with Steam

In mid October the Czech town of Přerov hosted the 170th anniversary celebrations for the old Austrian Kaiser-Ferdinands-Nordbahn (KFNB) dating from 1841. Several contemporary and historic vehicles were present to mark the occasion and celebrate the birthday. Naturally the most attention was garnered by the different Moravian-based steam locomotives 314.303, 433.002, 464.202, 475.101 and 534.0432, which also hauled several special trains for the assembled public. All pictures courtesy of Eduard Sassmann. 

The Wiener Lokalbahnen celebrate with Steam

Steam locomotives are not immediately associated with Vienna´s local railway WLB. But for 125th anniversary of the railway line Wien - Wiener Neudorf an old WLB kettle was brought out to mark the event. The former WLB steam loco Nr. 72 was built in 1919 by Krauss in Linz. Nowadays it is cared for by the Martinsberger Lokalbahn crew in Zwettl, but is owned by Brenner & Brenner, who previously have also given the loco the purely fictional number 92 2271. All pictures courtesy of Eduard Sassmann.