Reports for 2003
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| MAIN LINE GERMAN STEAM LOCO NEWS
Reports for 2003 | |||
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| 13th December Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde trip to Lübeck
A wet and windy day did nothing to dampen the spirits of more than 300 people who enjoyed the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde trip to Lübeck with 012 100-4. That superb town is a worthy destination on it's own, but on this Saturday hosted a very busy Weihnachtsmarkt, (Christmas Market). Our 8 coach train with the DB museum 012 started at 09.23 from the loco's home base of Neumünster, and the first stretch to Bordesholm was taken easily to ensure the cold loco was given time to warm to it's task. From there a lovely restart was made fully up to the train's 120 km/h speed limit, before slowing to join the single line to Lübeck just South of Kiel at Meimersdorf. Top 012 100-4 at a dull and wet Neumünster on the morning of Saturday December 13th Below After arrival at Lübeck with it's imposing station roof 13th December Report continued | 
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13th December Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde trip to Lübeck continued
Our return journey, starting at 16.20 on a very dull and wet afternoon was down the main line almost into Hamburg, and then round the eastern dock area via Rothenburgsort and into the Hbf. Normally our 012 100-4 trains terminate at the Hbf late in the day, but this time we were due to pass through the City centre on our way to Neumünster in the busiest part of the evening. The approach to the city past all the twinkling city and dockside lights reflecting in the water of the Elbe, it's tributaries and the many dockside puddles from the heavy rain was magnificent, but better was to come! At the Hbf the glistening 012 became the centre of attraction for many passengers on other platforms, before we left on time and passed the wonderful display of Christmas lights at the Southern end of the Alstersee. A short signal stop before Hamburg Dammtor saw the pacific's exhaust noise thundering around the large station roof, with many passengers on the station moving into position to watch this undoubted 'Star of Hamburg' pass through. A reaction from the citizens of Hamburg that was then repeated every time we passed the crowded S bahn stations that ran parallel to our route North. Right As the signal and loco lights reflect in the platform puddles, 012 100-4 waits at Lübeck before heading back home to Neumünster via Hamburg 13th December Report continued | 
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| 13th December Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde trip to Lübeck continued
The climax of this impromptu show from the 012 was reached as we roared into three cylinder action passing Stellingen which was packed with hundreds of football supporters. Such was the impact made by 012 100-4 as the three cylinder exhaust beat resounded across the Hamburg suburbs that many of this crowd burst into spontaneous applause! Wonderful, emotional moments as this superb operational example of perhaps Germany's finest Einheitslok, (standard), steam loco design took full advantage of playing to such a large audience in it's spiritual home! From then on running was good but with delays possibly caused by a problem with a train in front. But I doubt anyone minded our few minutes late arrival at Neumünster. So ended a busy year of revenue earning service for this loco, but not the work of the dedicated crews from Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde. By late afternoon on Sunday December 14th loco crews had gathered again at Neumünster shed to fire up the 012 prior to a long overnight run to Meiningen Works. The route was Neumünster - then around Hamburg on the freight only line - Rotenburg - Verden - Hannover - Lehrte- Hildesheim - Nordstemmen - Bebra - Eisenach - Meiningen, where the loco arrived without mishap at around 12.00 hrs on Monday 15th December. At Meiningen the pacific will undergo maintenance and the fitting of the PZB-90 safety system, the successor to Indusi. Thanks to Fritz Wolff and Udo Tribess for this latest news. And what of this year with 012 100-4? One word: Wundebar! Back on the 30th November trip as we drifted back across Lüneburger Heide one of the German front coach regulars asked, 'If we had a time machine, (Zeit maschine), which year would we go back to for the very best year of travel behind 012 loks?' After a short discussion between a few of us it became clear a time machine was not needed. 2003 had been a superb year with 012 100-4, there was no need to go back any earlier! DB Nostalgiereisen, DB Museum and the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde have all played their parts well in 2003. I am proud to be a member of the Rendsburger Group, although apart from providing very limited publicity on this web site I have done nothing personally to help the enormous efforts many other members put in to run the trains alongside DB Museum staff. If their efforts, and the wonderful camaraderie, (Kameradschaft), amongst the regular travellers continues from next February, then another great year is in prospect. A year good enough to provide another superb experience for hardened 012 enthusiast and first time 'steam traveller' alike. And maybe a year 2004 just good enough, (from a financial point of view), to ensure sufficient resources are available from all interested parties to see the major overhaul of the pacific due from May 2005 is fully funded. | |
| November 29th & 30th Report 2003 News Index
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| 29 & 30th November: 012 100-4 runs to Wismar and Uelzen | |
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012 100-4 had a busy weekend on 29th & 30th November, running DB Museum trains to towns with Christmas Markets. On the Saturday a cold and foggy start saw the nine coach train heading out through Büchen, Hagenow Land and Schwerin to the Baltic Coast town of Wismar. Nearly 500 people had filled the train, and an extra restaurant car had been brought up from Düsseldorf to cope with the demand for refreshments throughout the day.
In amongst the continuing engineering works on the Berlin main line running was good with some lovely roaring starts and sustained 120 km/h over some sections. The slightly late arrival at Wismar was purely a result of the train having to thread it's way through various single line track sections, and certainly not because this magnificent pacific could not keep to the schedule! The fog still lingered at Wismar, but that didn't stop the full load of passengers enjoying their day before rejoining the train for the run back to Hamburg. As the loco could not be turned at Wismar we left that station with the loco running tender first, and after a delay awaiting a late running normal service train we headed off along the single track line to Lübeck. But the earlier delay meant we were late into Lübeck where the loco ran round the train to head back into Hamburg chimney first, albeit having lost our scheduled pathway! After the Rahlstedt stop we followed the very unusual route for a Hamburg bound train, of Hamburg Rothenburgsort, Hamburg Harburg, (where the loco ran round the train), then non stop through Hamburg Hbf to our "end station" of Hamburg Dammtor! A route needed to ensure the loco was facing the right direction for the trip to Uelzen on November 30th. Top: 012 100-4 after arrival at Wismar. Lower A Group of the regular "front coach" enthusiasts savour the atmosphere after arrival at Wismar. A good number of these also travel long distances to ride behind Europe's Premier Steam loco: from Koblenz and Stuttgart amongst other German towns and cities. And also enjoy a few cold biers at Nagel's bar after the day's journey is over! 29 & 30th November Report continued | 
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| 29 & 30 November Report continued | |
| The trains over the weekend were run as part of the start of Christmas celebrations. Both trains were running to Weihnachtsmarkts, (Christmas Markets). So it was no surprise to find a very close link with Christmas on the train! To the right we can see der Weihnachtsmann, (Father Christmas): and many thanks to Thomas Boldt for taking the photo and sending it for inclusion on this web site.
Der Weihnachtsmann was of course on the train for the benefit of the younger passengers, so these two guys enjoying their day out probably didn't get a gift from him! Neither did the person, (your webmaster), almost hidden behind der Weihnachtsmann! |
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29 & 30th November Report continued | |
| 29 & 30 November Report continued | |
| 30th November saw the 012 leaving Hamburg Hbf with an eight coach train for Uelzen. Engineering work between Uelzen and Hamburg meant a late timetable and route change, with the single line "Heidebahn" via Soltau being used to get to Uelzen. So no roaring along on at a fast speed on the 80 km/h limited line, but a lovely opportunity to enjoy the gentle trip across Lüneburger Heath. An opportunity also to put away stop watches, and wander through the train and see how many Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde members and their families give up so much time to voluntarily work so hard to make these trips such a success. These volunteers operated the two restaurant cars still in use for the 200 or so passengers, and also a busy souvenir area. All working to raise the money that will be needed in 2005 to help towards financing a major overhaul of the 012 pacific. It was also interesting to see that Members who one week may be the lokführer or heizer on the loco, (driver and fireman), are on another trip working in the restaurant car, or providing tickets, making on-train announcements and giving other information for the DB Museum passengers. |
012 100-4 at Munster (Örtze), late afternoon on 30th November |
| The train was due to spend all afternoon at Uelzen while the pacific went to Soltau to use the turntable at the Osthannoversche Eisenbahn AG facility. But DB Museum and Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde decided to take the train as well, allowing anyone in Uelzen to travel to Soltau and back for a low price. I counted over 150 people who took advantage of this excellent idea. It also gave me the highlight for the weekend as that train, leaving Uelzen at 15.55 ran through Ebstorf where a large number of people watched us pass. Older people maybe seeing a main line steam loco for the first time in many years, and young children seeing one for the first time. But all of them seeing the results of the work by DB Museum and Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde in preserving in working order such a wonderful and famous part of Germany's Railway Heritage. | |
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7 & 8th November Report 2003 News Index
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| 7 & 8th November: 012 100-4 on the Hogwarts Express |
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Neumünster based 012 100-4 has been having a Autumn break, before operating it's "Christmas" Specials at the end of November and in December. But it did come out on the night of November the 7th and 8th to haul a short distance "Hogwarts Express", as part of the release of the fifth German edition of that very popular series of books.
Udo Tribess was present for that trip, and we are grateful to him for preparing this report on the night's events. The three cylinder pacific, booked to run just from Neumünster to Kiel and back, was entrusted with a short 4 coach train. But it was well filled with lots of children, many of them dressed up as the figures from "Harry Potter" and together with their parents they took the chance to go to Kiel in a very stylish way - by steam ! Due to the delay of an ICE, 012 100-4 left Neumünster a little late at 21.00 and after a fast journey was very soon at Kiel Hbf. The platform on arrival was extremely crowded: all wanted to have a look at the engine of the "Hogwarts Express". Then about 30 minutes after arriving the 012 left the Hbf for a short trip to Meimersdorf for turning on the triangle there. Back at Kiel there was still plenty to do as the Hbf offered a lot of "Harry Potter" entertainment for the night: readings, magic shows and even fire eaters and fire blowers. Udo and friends positioned themselves at Flintbek station to see the return run, where they would also hear it roar away from Kiel on the upgrade. They were rewarded with that timeless and most emotive sight of a steam hauled express train racing out of an inky black night and through the station lights at full speed as it headed back to Neumünster a few minutes after midnight. But by 01.30 the loco was back at Neumünster shed, following which a group of Rendsburger members, including the loco crew, had a few well earned cold biers until not long before dawn. What a great way to spend a Friday night! |
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11th October Report 2003 News Index |
| 11th October: 012 100-4 back on the Rollbahn....via Bremen to Bremerhaven | |
| Saturday October 11th saw 012 100-4 working a five coach train from Hamburg Hbf towards Bremen and then via the freight line to join the route to Bremerhaven. The light train was reminiscent of the Eilzugs that used to run behind 012 pacifics in the first half of the 1970's between Munster, Rheine and Emden. And the fast roaring starts by 012 100-4 on October 11th were also very similar to those trains of thirty years ago!
The front coach of the train continued the lovely "club" atmosphere of the Plandampf that finished a few days previously: no surprise as a lot of the same people attended both events, as well as more of the friendly Hamburg regulars for the 012 100-4 trains. Additionally a Group of former engineer colleagues of some of the Rendsburger loco drivers were on the train: many taking a close interest in the operation of this jewel in the crown of DB Museum's steam locomotive fleet. The destination was Bad Bederkesa, which had a small and very pretty lake at the end of a private railway over which the DB Museum train was hauled by a small diesel, (apologies for using the "d" word on this site!). It was a truly superb location for an autumn visit, with several sunny spells shining on the quiet location where the train's passengers could enjoy a walk in the tranquil surroundings, or a pleasant meal overlooking the lake. Many enjoyed both! |
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11th October Report continued
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| Bodo Gifhorn was our driver on the outward journey, seen here after arrival at Bremerhaven Lehe.
To the right are a couple of the Hamburg regulars, enjoying our noisy departure from Hamburg Harburg earlier in the day. Right: The sun may have set on a wonderfully warm Hamburg summer, but from the running of 012 100-4 on Saturday October 11th it certainly hasn't set on quality 012 journeys from Hamburg in the year 2003! 3rd - 5th October Report 2003 News Index |
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| 3rd to 5th October: Saalfeld-Gera Plandampf a great success....except for the weather! | |
| October 3rd was the 13th anniversary of the start of the first ever Plandampf, and this year saw another three day event starting on the 3rd October in Thuringen. Three cylinder coal fired pacific 03 1010 and two cylinder coal fired 03 2204 (pacific), and 41 1144 (2-8-2), hauled a number of of RE, RB and goods trains, (03.2 and 41 only), over the steeply graded and mainly single track line between Gera and Saalfeld. On all three of the Plandampf days 2 cylinder 52 8079 hauled a special passenger train from Gera to Cheb and return; a line that as far as Greiz also saw the 41, (3 Oct) and the 03.2, (5 Oct) hauling trains. Cloud and rain was the ruling weather except for two bright and sunny spells on the Friday and Saturday afternoons that brought joy to the hearts, (and their camera viewfinders), of the very many lineside photographers. | 
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| For those riding the trains it was joy from start to finish as that wonderful combination of driver Harry Heydenbluth, with fireman Peter Eichhorn, and 03 1010, (photo of all three above ), produced three superbly exhilerating and noisy days for those in the RB and RE trains. The newly restored 41 also put in thundering performances, but sadly the 03.2 never entered into the spirit of the event, losing a lot of time on most of it's trains. | |
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All locos completed their scheduled trips, so the whole Plandampf worked 100%, with full credit to the organisers, lok crews, DB Regio and everyone else who helped. Maybe the Thursday evening produced a sign that the steam events of this holiday weekend would be a success. As I walked into my Gera hotel I heard the four steam locos across the road in the old loco shed, joined later by 18 201 on it's way to work a Chemnitz-Wernigerode sonderzug on the 3rd. I cannot remember the last time I slept in a hotel overlooking such a collection! The front coaches of the trains saw a great gathering of German and English steam enthusiasts, maybe the world's two leading steam enthusiast nations. Old friendships were renewed and new ones made, and the degree of camaraderie, (Kameradschaft), between the two countries' enthusiasts was to me one of the highlights of the event. In fact, it was just like being on a DB Museum/Rendsburger train from Hamburg behind 012 100-4! Not surprising because a lot of the German enthusiasts were those whose company I regularly enjoy in Hamburg. Lasting memories for me will be the roaring climbs with 03 1010. And the early morning trip on the first train from Gera: running though the inky black Thuringen night to a lonely station to wait with great anticipation the arrival of 03 1010 on the first steam hauled train from Saalfeld. Photos 41 1144 and then 03 2204, both seen at Neustadt. |
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| Next Plandampf photo report 2003 News Index | |
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| Why so much coverage of 012 100-4? | |
| My reports are focussed largely on the running of 012 100-4, with occasional mentions of other German Pacifics. There are some very good reasons for this. Firstly, 012 100-4 is from my all time favourite class of steam loco, the fifty five 01.10 pacifics built around 1940. Secondly, for a stopwatcher like myself it is performing very well indeed at present. Giving some really excellent timing logs as well as just the joy of travelling in the front coach of the trains it hauls and listening to that almost hypnotic three cylinder exhaust beat. And thirdly because there is very little else happening in Germany at present to excite a stopwatcher. Of the other pacifics I have never managed to travel with 01 1066 on a "good day", which is a great pity. Blue streamlined 01 1102 was last reported stored out of use and with no one to operate it. 18 201 has done little main line work since it's long weekend of runs to Hamburg in May 2003. |
012 100-4 at work between Rheine and Emden in 1975
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03 1010 is now, very sadly, out of service waiting it's routine visual boiler inspection. That performed superbly on it's Sept 2003 Leipzig -Berlin run, and again at the October 2003 Plandampf. Two cylinder coal fired pacific 01 118 is out of use until later in 2004. 03 2204 is in service, but if it's running on Sonderzug is anything like the way it was used during the October Plandampf then it is certainly not worth travelling behind. That leaves very little else to look to for good main line steam running in Germany. 03 2295 is based in the München area with 01 066, (a two cylinder coal fired pacific not to be confused with three cylinder 01 1066) and S3/6 3673, which performed very well on a München - Lindau run in February 2004, but is soon due for extensive overhaul along with 03 2295.
So I am more than happy to travel to Germany regularly to enjoy the rich vein of running behind 012 100-4. And that enjoyment is enhanced by the friendly welcome I get from the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfeunde and DB Museum people who operate it's trains, as well as many of the Hamburg regulars who travel on them as often as I do. | |
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21 September Report 2003 News Index for 2003 Main Index
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| 21st Sepember: 012 100-4 runs from Hamburg to Kiel and return. | |
| After a six week break in it's DB Museum programme 012 100-4 was back out on the main line from Hamburg on a Sunday that saw two of this legendary class of locos working from that wonderful City. Not long after 012 100-4 took the Museum train out via Lübeck, 012 066-7 worked South to Osnabruck, and was due back into Hamburg Hbf late in the evening. Not surprisingly in view of the wonderful running with the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde 012, (01.10) this year, the focus of attention was on 012 100-4 as it took it's train part of the way to the Schönberger Strand "Old Timer Meet" on the Ostsee coast.
A slightly late start from Hamburg meant the train lost it's pathway on the single line from Lübeck to Kiel, so the hand over to coal fired two cylinder Rumanian built 2-6-2t number 131.060 at Kiel was around an hour late. The tank then took the DB Museum train over the privately run branch to Schönberger Strand, which is at the end of a short section of that branch run by a Preservation Group. They ran a number of diesel trains during the day, which added to the old cars at The Meet, and the preserved trams being run on short sections of electrified tramroute adjacent to the railway station. This Report continued |
Top: 012 100-4 at Ascheberg, and Lower at Kiel Hbf |
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012 100-4 storms away from Bad Oldesloe in low Autumn sunshine. Photo with grateful thanks to Björn Detlefsen
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21st September Report continued
By mid afternoon it was time for the small tank loco to haul the DB Museum train back to Kiel where 012 100-4 was waiting in the lovely warm evening sunshine. After crossing the single line track across to Lübeck the big pacific was given her head again down the main line. Some lovely running between the scheduled station stops on that main line back to Hamburg Hbf made full use of the train's 120 km/h speed limit. Along with the magnificent three cylinder roar we were all given a great reminder that the 012 locos, (01.10), really are still part of the life of the City of Hamburg, as they were for many years in the past. Our arrival was just about on time, and a lot of people waited to watch this great machine head off North a few minutes later with the empty coaching stock. Then it was time for yet another very pleasant evening at Nagel's Bar opposite the Hbf. Despite the fact it was late September, a couple of hours were spent sitting outside the bar enjoying food, drink and great company where the main topic of conversation was Hamburg and it's 012, (01.10), steam locomotive operations, past and present. There can be no better way for fans of Germany's premier three cylinder pacific loco type to have spent part of a weekend! To the right is a photo reproduced here with grateful thanks to Udo Tribess. 012 100-4 is shown within the main station area at Hamburg Hbf on July 12th, the day of it's return trip to Flensburg. A sight repeated on the evening of September 21st |
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| 20th September Report 2003 News Index for 2003
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| Sept 20th and 012 100-4 runs a special train from Neumünster to Hamburg Eidelstedt and return | |
| September 20th was a DB Bahntag, or open day at their Hamburg Eidelstedt ICE depot. On the same day the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde had an open day at their Neumünster base, the home of 012 100-4. Part of the open day events included a short return trip for 012 100-4 to the DB Bahntag at Eidelstedt.
Thanks to Björn Detlefsen we can see 012 100-4 passing Brokstedt, between Elmshorn and Neumünster, on the return run. In steam days in the early 1970s this stretch saw the famous 01.10 hauled 06.44 from Kiel to Hamburg and it's evening return regularly running up to 87 mph, (140 km/h). |
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My Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde friends tell me that DB Managers used to use the 06.44 from Kiel to travel to work in Hamburg. And if the train was more than a minute or so late the steam loco depot used to get a telephone call to ask why the train was late! Well, on the one occasion I travelled on that train in 1971 it wasn't late. It just ran very fast, and with that wonderful three cylinder roar that keeps me travelling so often to Hamburg at present!
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13th September Report 2003 News Index for 2003
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| 13 Sept: 03 1010 lives up to it's "Roaring Monster" nickname, (Spitzname).
03 1010 ran superbly on it's September 13th trip from Leipzig Hbf and along the main line via Bitterfeld to Berlin Lichtenberg and return. The trip was organised by Klaus Wilmsmeyer, working on behalf of the Traditions - gemeinschaft Bahnbetriebswerk Halle, which I understand to be the social club for Railwaymen associated with 03 1010's Halle depot base, (Heimat). The fully booked train of nine coaches, (360 tonnes), was run as a celebration of the end of pacific hauled expresses between Leipzig and Dresden in 1978. Twenty five years ago it was two cylinder 03.2 coal fired pacifics that hauled the last trains, but as a loco from that class was not available it was three cylindered 03 1010 that did the work. Klaus had invited a number of steam loco drivers, (retired and still working), as passengers on the train: men who have driven steam locos in the Plandampf era in Germany. A photo of that group should be posted here at sometime in the future. Right, top and lower: 03 1010 at Berlin Lichtenberg after arrival from Leipzig This Report continued |
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| A wonderful day enjoyed with so many of the very friendly regulars who travel with that other superb German three cylinder pacific, 012 100-4. Amongst those regulars was Robin Garn from Hamburg, who has kindly supplied some of the detail for this report. Robin is well known as one of the originators of Plandampf, and also had the pleasure of first meeting Harry Heydenbluth at Leipzig West steam depot back in March 1978 when Harry was working on 03 2254-5.
Above: Helmut, (left) and Thomas Lautenschläger at the Jüterbog water stop on the return. Lower: Harry, (right) and Helmut back at Leipzig with 03 1010. 28th August Report 2003 News Index for 2003 | 
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| 28th & 29th August: 012 100-4 back at work.
The August 30 run to Stralsund was cancelled, but 012 100-4 worked on charter trains on August 28 & 29. Fire risk stopped 03 1010 from Berlin on the 30th and 01 066 from München on the 24th working, so it was great the oil fired 4-6-2 could keep the flag flying for pacific locos in Germany. On 28 August 012 100-4 left Hamburg Altona at 17.44 with a full 6 car train. Crossing the viaduct towards Hamburg Dammtor it passed an old water tower remaining from steam days. The journey was short: down to an industrial location in the harbour area. The 29th was a much longer day, starting in Hamburg at 07.08 in the morning with a train of three red restaurant cars. The oil fired pacific ran via Lübeck to Eutin, mid way across the line to Kiel, where the lucky staff of a railway construction company joined the train for their "works outing" to Hamburg via Neumünster. The return was from Hamburg at 17.31 via Lübeck to Eutin, and then just with the empty coaches back to Neumünster at 21.48. By all accounts the loco ran well, and was seen racing through Flintbek station ten kilometres South of Kiel in late evening, making full use of the 120 k/mh speed limit! Many thanks to Udo Tribess for the report and highly atmospheric low light photo. Next Report 2003 News Index for 2003 |
012 100-4 roars away from Pinneberg after sunset on 12 July.
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| Late August Report: Three coal fired Bayerisches Eisenbahnmuseum pacifics in operation | |
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Many thanks to Thomas Stenzel from the Museum for providing up to date news about the three coal fired pacifcs operated in Bavaria by the Bayerisches Eisenbahnmuseum.
The famous Bavarian class S3/6 (18 478) has recently been painted again in the green/black colour scheme of the Royal Bavarian Railway. The next special train with it is planned on the 11 October from Nördlingen to Nürnberg. Coal fired two cylinder pacific 01 066 ran a train on Sunday August 31st from München to Chiemsee Lake at Prien. That followed an August where three trains scheduled for haulage by steam had to be headed by electric loco E94 192 because the DB Netz AG (the track company in Germany) would not allow trains with coal fired steam locos to run because of a very high fire risk in the forests due to the exceptionally hot and dry summer. | |
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Two cylinder coal fired pacific 03 2295, which performed so well at the Kaiserslautern Plandampf in 2000, has passed a regular boiler examination. The loco should now be in service on special passenger trains until next year when a full overhaul will be undertaken. One of the highlights of it's running recently was hauling a 14 coach train with 01 066 on July 26th from Maxhütte via Regensburg and Landshut to Salzburg . Both engines showed their full perfomance with running up to 120 km/h.
Thanks to Klaus Stephan we can see these two locos on their way back from Salzburg on that train, which returned on July 27th. In difficult lighting conditions the two coal fired pacifics are seen passing Landshut. |
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17th August Report 2003 News Index for 2003 | |
| 17h August: Ulmer Eisenbahnfreunde 01.5 pacific 01.509 in Southern Germany. | |
| After being recently reported as out of service for a short while, Alan Rees photographed the UEF oil fired two cylinder pacific 01 509 back in service, and also kindly sent me the details of the events of August 17th for this News report. The pacific was "standing in" for a coal fired 52 class 2-10-0 on a series of trains between Radfolzell and Überlingen near to the Bodensee. This secondary line runs from Friedrichshafen along the Northern shores of the Bodensee to Singen.
The non appearance of the coal fired 52 could well have been because of the scorching hot and dry weather seen over much of Europe in recent days, resulting in a perceived greatly increased fire risk from such steam locos. |
01 509 back in action: with grateful thanks to Alan Rees.
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| Sharp eyes will pick up the Piko model company sponsorship message which is spread over quite a large part of the tender. Certainly not something everyone will agree with , but if it helps to keep the pacific in service then who can really complain if insufficient funds have been obtained from true steam enthusiasts to avoid such sponsorship methods.
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To the right is another shot of the 01.5 pacific, this time while waiting at Überlingen Therme on the 17th August. This station, on the mainly single line part of this railway, is just to the North East of the Überlinger See, an extension of the main Bodensee that separates Switzerland from Germany. The trip was organised by the Eisenbahnfreunde - Zollernbahn and started in Tübingen, well know to many steam enthusiasts as one of the stations where the lovely 38 class 4-6-0s still ran in the early 1970s. The 2003 train behind 01 509 ran over the Neckartalbahn and the Gaubahn to Singen, then onto the Bodensee-Gurtelbahn via Radfolzell to Überlingen. It then ran three return journeys between Uberlingen and Radfolzell via Ludwigshafen (Bodensee), where there was a meeting of oldtimer road vehicles. |
01 509 at Überlingen-Therme: with grateful thanks to Alan Rees. |
| The weather was superb, the passengers had wonderful views of the Bodensee and Überlinger See where the train ran along the shoreline, and those photographers like Alan Rees out on the lineside must have also thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
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16th August Report 2003 News Index for 2003 | |
| 16th August: 012 100-4 heads to the Danish Odense Steam Festival |
| Just a day before two cylinder oil fired pacific 01 509 was due to work at the extreme southern end of Germany, ( see above ), 012 100-4 was heading into Denmark with a short train from Germany's most Northern border on August 16th. It is with grateful thanks to Udo Tribess for the report, and Thomas Boldt for the photos, that we can now all share that weekend with 012 100-4, which saw oil fired pacifics working at both the North and South extremities of Germany! |
Thomas Boldt's magnificent photo of the Odense loco shed taken from the top of 012 100-4 |
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The 16th August run behind 012 100-4 was the first for this loco in it's 2nd half year DB Museum programme, which had only been announced a few weeks earlier. That was probably the reason it was a light train of just 4 coaches with the "non working" addition of V200 207 on the outward run. The diesel was needed to bring the train back to Hamburg in the evening as the oil fired pacific was to remain in Denmark as a guest of the Danish Railway Museum for the Odense steam festival. The day started well at Hamburg Hbf with 012 100-4 in platform 6 for more than half and hour, allowing a good number of passengers in the station to see a fine example of a class of steam loco that worked from there up to the early 1970s. |
012 100-4 about to leave Odense on a trip to Nyborg. With grateful thanks to Thomas Boldt. |
| From then it was more good and noisy running that saw the train hurrying through a Schleswig-Holstein in weather many in "heatwave Europe" have been waiting for: dark blue sky, some clouds, often brilliant sunshine, but not hot at all: indeed typical Schleswig-Holstein weather! Highlights of the morning's run were the very noisy re-start from a stop at Rendsburg, and the climb North out of the Schlei valley, as well as course as crossing the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal on the high bridge. While at Odense the lovely German Pacific headed several trains over the short distance to Nyborg. After it's busy weekend 012 100-4 returned light engine to it's Neumünster base on the Sunday evening. | |
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3rd August Report 2003 News Index for 2003
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| 3rd August: 012 100-4 runs over the Hindenburgdamm to Westerland, and the Hochbrücke Hochdonn
On 3rd August 012 100-4 took a DB Museum train from Hamburg over the Hindenburgdam and the Hochbrücke Hochdonn. Despite earlier problems, DB Museum and the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde stuck to their task providing an excellent day for those who turned out at Hamburg for the 05.29 departure. The weather was superb, the company on the train friendly as ever and 012 100-4 put up a great performance hauling eight well filled coaches along with V200 207 that had brought the train from Hamburg to Heide: a total weight behind the tender of 395 tonnes. | |
012 100-4 on the Hochbrücke Hochdonn: with grateful thanks to Thomas Boldt. This Report continued |
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It hadn't been easy to run the train as there are no pathways from Niebull to the Island at a time to suit a Sonderzug leaving Hamburg at a reasonable time. So there was talk of cancellation or diversion but the considerable efforts of DB Museum and the Rendsburger Eisenbahfreunde secured a pathway with the early start from Hamburg. The V200 diesel was needed to get the train to Heide for 012 100-4 to take over, as the steam loco with a tender full of oil would have been too heavy to take the direct route over the Hochbrücke. On the return the level of water and oil in the loco tender meant that the total weight of the loco and tender was just below the permitted level for the Hochbrucke Hochdonn. So the 01.10 was able to take the direct route back to Hamburg, over the Hindenburgdamm and the high Nord-Ostsee kanal bridge. A fitting way to return to Hamburg for a member of such a famous class of steam locomotive. Our train ran virtually on time all day, ensuring no delays to other traffic on the busy stretch from Niebüll to Westerland. And there had been plenty of magic moments: crossing the Hindenburgdamm and the Hochbrücke Hochdonn, but perhaps the best late in the day as we roared out of Elmshorn up to 120 km/h in the short distance before the Pinneberg stop. Wonderful stuff from an 01.10 pacific back on the line where that class of loco reigned supreme until the early 1970s. Top: 012 100-4 crossing the Hindenburgdamm Right: A golden sunset as the train approaches Elmshorn This Report continued |
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3rd August Report continued: 012 100-4 at Westerland |
| To the right are photos of three of the footplate crew of 012 100-4. These are amongst many people who help to keep this magnificent steam locomotive and it's train running out of Hamburg.
These include the staff at DB Museum who help plan and publicise the trips and sell the tickets. The "on train" DB AG staff who check our tickets and round us all up and get us back on the train at station stops to make sure the train follows the timetable. |
Holger Lemke and Thomas Boldt preparing to leave Westerland. |
Volker Siewke on the footplate of 012 100-4 after arrival at Westerland. |
| And of course the many people in the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde, their families and their friends who give up so much time before, during and after each trip. Time spent keeping the train clean and welcoming, and in ensuring food and drink is always available as well as all the other tasks needed to make every trip a success. | ||
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26 July Report 2003 News Index for 2003 | ||
| 26th July: 012 100-4 from Hamburg to Puttgarden via the Vogelfluglinie. | |
| There was a lot of noise in the Hamburg area this weekend! It was the North German location of the Harley Davidson motor cycle celebration of 100 years of that "cult" motorbike, and it was the starting point of another DB Museum train hauled by 012 100-4.
So in amongst the roar of all the Harleys could be heard the roar from the three cylinder pacific as it put in another perfect performance running a nearly full seven coach train load of passengers up to the Fehmarn Island port of Puttgarden. Dull and at times wet weather did not seem to spoil the enjoyment of those on the train, who had around five and a half hours to explore the Ostsee Island. |
012 100-4 leaving Hamburg. Photo with grateful thanks to Claus Rethorn, DB Nostalgiereisen |
| The route from Hamburg Hbf was via the goods line from Hamburg Rothenburgsort to Hamburg-Wandsbeck where the non electrified line to Lübeck, Oldenburg (Holst) and Puttgarden was joined. After Lübeck stops were made at stations on the edge of the scenic Ostsee inlet, (Lübecker Bucht), but few the opportunity of a quiet day on this lovely section of German coast. | |
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012 100-4 crossing the Fehrmarnsundbrücke |
012 100-4 at Puttgarden |
| On the return lovely starts were made on the short sections by the Lübecker Bucht: one where the friendly and helpful train staff connected a microphone to the train's PA system, so we could all enjoy the sound of the loco getting under way! And what better way to end the day than to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of the late evening gathering at Nagel's bar. There sitting outside until "last buses" home for some ended the day, we followed our day of 012 "music", watching the Harley Davidsons roaring along the road by the station. | |
| 12th July Report 2003 News Index for 2003
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| 12th July: 012 100-4 heads a fully booked DB Museum train to Flensburg.
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A view from the footplate of 012 100-4 as it crosses the Rendsburger Hochbücke, on it's 12th July return from Flensburg
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12th July Report continued
012 100-4, (DB Museum loco 01 1100), continued it's busy summer season of trips from Hamburg on July 12th, taking a sold out nine coach train up the main line to Flensburg, via Neumünster and Rendsburg. The route included the famous Rendsburger Hockbrücke over the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal. At Flensburg a large ship and boat "steam festival" was in progress in the Ostsee harbour, and for a time in the afternoon 012 100-4 became the centre of attraction at the quayside after it had come down the branch line from the main station. In addition 18 201 was also at Flensburg for the weekend, having worked up on a special passenger train on the Friday afternoon. That loco, still in it's red livery, worked a series of shuttle trains down from Flensburg to Rendsburg and Schleswig over the course of the weekend. But the star was undoubtedly that one time work horse of DB steam days, three cylinder oil fired 012 100-4. Very clean and sounding superb that loco attracts crowds wherever it goes and July 12th was no exception. Many people watched it pass by on it's long run from Hamburg, the crew making up for a delay before Pinneberg to arrive a few minutes early in Flensburg. For me the best of the day was yet to come. My very regular vists to Hamburg this year had not gone unnoticed by the helpful DB Museum staff in Nürnberg, who had already taken the trouble through an exchange of E Mails to find out about my passionate interest in this wonderful steam locomotive. So they arranged with the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde, ( a Group I have recently joined as a member) for me to travel back from Flensburg to Neumünster on the footplate of the loco. Top: A footplate dinner! Right: Leaving Schleswig on the single line section This Report continued |
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12th July Report continued
So for the first time in over 30 years I was able to experience the thrill of riding on an express passenger train steam loco again. To watch the expert teamwork between driver and fireman: smell the hot oil, water and steam and breath in the unique atmosphere of this age old form of railway motive power. To enjoy the rythm of the loco as it raced along at 120 km/h, feel the surge of power as the throttle was opened for the first part of the climb to the Rendsburger Hochbrücke, before speed was reduced to cross the the bridge at the slow speed allowed, and to look down on an engineering feat almost as good as the 01.10 class of locos, the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal! I was also priviliged to watch Volker Siewke, one of the driving forces of the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfruende, keeping a close and always helpful eye on the driver who was nearing the end of his training period on this loco. Volker is one of just a small team of people including those from DB Museum and Meiningen who keep 012 100-4 in active service, and it was good to see him at work helping to ensure that younger drivers are trained to learn the skills that will be needed to keep main line steam locos running into the future. We were delayed by 18 201 shunting at Schleswig and the start of a temporary single track section for engineering works. But that only extended the footplate experience. Once past the Hochbrücke the loco was opened up and we were soon heading through the flat countryside at a steady 75 mph, (120 km/h). But all too soon we were pulling into Neumünster, and I left the loco to it's expert crew and joined the train with it's friendly and helpful staff. A fast and noisy start from Neumünster signalled more good running, and with only a few checks into Hamburg Hbf we regained a few of the minutes lost by the delays North of Schleswig. Top: Crossing the Rendsburger Hochbrücke Right: 120 km/h near to Bokel 18 201 at Flensburg |
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Dampf-Plus have run few of their own tours this year, but sometimes another operator charters the red pacific as at Flensburg from July 11th to 13th. The pacific hauled a special train from Hamburg Harburg on July 11th. On the 12th it ran to Rendsburg and back in the morning, and Schleswig and back in the afternoon, (photo is leaving Flensburg with that train). A futher short return trip was also planned for July 13th. 28th June Report 2003 News Index for 2003
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| 28th June: 012 100-4 sparkles again at the head of a DB Museum train from Hamburg to Berlin.
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012 100-4 was back in action on 28th June with a well filled 6 car train from Hamburg Hbf to Berlin-Charlottenburg. Enormous efforts by those who keep this 1940 built three cylinder machine in service had seen the damaged bearing suffered on June 14th replaced and the loco tested up to it's full design speed on the Thursday before it resumed it's busy 2003 programme.
DB Museum had done well to get a pathway for the train from DB AG Operations, as large parts of the main line are being upgraded to 230 km/h running. So there were slowings and single track sections where the pacific had to wait for other trains. But the loco crews worked hard to ensure we ran to time making sure no delays were caused to other traffic, and in the process treated us to a wonderful day of three cylinder noise with fast starts and sustained running at the train speed limit. We were on time all day giving an experience up to the very best that the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde and DB Museum have shown they can consistently deliver. No less than four "even time" sections were recorded, an exceptionally high level in one day for the 21st Century. Some very fast starts were made, with more even times spoiled because of the engineering works. The best sustained running was over the famous stretch between Neustadt (Dosse) and Nauen where the 01.10 was up to the train speed limit for many kilometres. On this stretch on 11th May 1936 4-6-4, 05 002 established the world speed record of 200,4 km/h. |
012 100-4 near Berlin Spandau on 28th June on the DB Museum train from Hamburg Hbf. Many thanks to Gerd Böhmer for the photograph.
So it's an enormous DANKESCHÖN to those who overcame the problems of June 14th and worked so hard in restoring 012 100-4 to the main line. Such is the effort needed by those dedicated people that some were still working late into June 28th returning the loco to Neumünster, whilst a group who had enjoyed the day spent a wonderful two hours in the warm late evening enjoying Hamburg food and drink outside of a bar near the Hauptbahnhof. A gathering I was welcomed to: a further demonstration of the hospitality that had again been extended all day on the train. 28th June Report on 03 2204 2003 News Index for 2003 |
| 28th June: 03 2204 worked from Cottbus via Berlin to Szczecin and return | |
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Yes there are pacifics other than 012 100-4 running in Germany, and thanks to Gerd Böhmer we can see one in action. This was a trip organised by the Lausitzer Dampflok Club with their two cylinder coal fired pacific 03 2204. It was booked to run from Cottbus via Berlin to Szczecin, (Stettin), on Saturday 28th June. The same day that 012 100-4 was running so well from Hamburg to Berlin and back. No details of the running of this pacific are available, but it is nice to see it in operation near to Berlin-Springpfuhl.
For lovers of pacifics in Berlin on the 28th June that Saturday must have been a very good day! Even better was that as 03 2204 was passing through early and late it must have been fairly easy to photograph both trains. |
03 2204 near Berlin-Springpfuhl on 28th June when working from Cottbus to Szczecin. Many thanks to Gerd Böhmer for the photograph. |
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14th June Report 2003 News Index for 2003 |
| 1st June Report 2003 News Index for 2003
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| 1st June: 012 100-4 back to it's best from Hamburg to Niebull and return. The immaculate pacific also fits in a turn at the head of a car train from Westerland!
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012 100-4, now back at Neumunster and in the hands of it's normal crews, put in a truly sparkling performance on the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde trip from Hamburg to Niebüll. At present it is not possible for the heavy three cylinder machine to go over the Hochbrücke Hochdonn on the main line from Hamburg to Westerland as that bridge is waiting repair. Hence the route via Neumünster and then the single track railway across to the main line at Heide. However good news from other enthusiasts on the train indicates that the bridge is scheduled for repair within 18 months or so: giving the mouthwatering prospect of an 012, (01.10) running up the whole of the main line from Hamburg to Westerland again.
The gleaming pacific left the train after arrival at Niebüll, but most passengers stayed on the six car special to be hauled by diesel down to the small but busy ferry terminal at Dagebüll Mole for a trip to the Island of Föhr. The train had been originally scheduled to go to Westerland on the Island of Sylt, but a pathway across the Hindenburgdamm to the Island of Sylt could not be found amongst all the car train traffic. So at a late stage the new destination was planned, with the 01.10 due to return to Husum to use the turntable there to be ready facing the right way for the return journey. |
01 1100, wearing it's 1970 and onwards nunber of 012 100-4, during the water stop at Heide on the evening of June 1st
But while most passengers enjoyed the warm sunshine on Föhr the division of DB AG who operate the car trains offered to take the pacific attached to the rear of a car train to be turned on the turntable at Westerland. And it got better than that, as the DB AG car train operators, with the agreement of the Rendsburger Eisenbahnfreunde, then used the pacific to doublehead a normal car train back to Niebull! |
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The train was a wonderful place to be all day, with superb German hospitality and companionship from German friends new and old being extended to your reporter, who was enjoying his best day ever behind an 01.10 pacific and one of his very best days travel ever behind a steam locomotive.
Late evening on June 1st as 01 1100 approaches the Hochbrücke Grünental over the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal, just after Albersdorf on the single track line from Heide to Neumünster. |
There were "magic moments" all day long, the best being just after Husum as we headed North. Leaning out from the sixth and last coach 01 1100 looked and sounded superb in the bright sunshine. It accelerated hard, fast and noisily away from the station leaving a lovely trail of black smoke around the right hand curve over the lifting bridge and past the crowds of holiday makers waiting to cross to the seashore. Memories of a 1971 trip flooded back, along with thoughts on the history and stories about this line, one of the last great steam hauled express railways in the World. Thoughts strong enough to bring a tear to your reporters eye, before emotions had to be swept aside as stopwatch, gps handset and ever present pen and notebook were needed to record yet more fast running by the three cylinder pacific.
Three times during the day those much sought after "even times" were recorded, with checks putting paid to a fourth. Other fast start to stop times included the 9.2 miles from Pinneberg to Elmshorn being completed both ways in under ten minutes. With such running, and despite a late start back from Niebüll it was no surprise that the train with it's two hundred or so passengers arrived back in Hamburg Hbf two minutes early on it's booked 23.08 arrival time. |
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10/11th May Report 2003 News Index for 2003 | |
| 10th and 11th May: 18 201 from Dortmund/Dulmen to Hamburg | |
18 201, still in it's red colour scheme, completed a hard weekend of long distance main line running. On May 10th it took it's 425 tonne train, (including extra tender), from Dortmund via Münster, Osnabrück and the freight line East of Bremen to Hamburg and back. Dampf Plus's Peter Weisshahn drove North, with Klaus Bechstedt taking the return. On the 11th both drivers took the same turns as the train started from Dulmen before heading via Münster again to Hamburg where on both days passengers could visit the "Hamburg Harbour Birthday celebration".
The train, never publicly advertised as an 87 mph, (140 km/h) trip was not scheduled at that speed as was hoped in February when the first draft timetable was produced. It ran ran to the more normal 75 mph timing, (120 km/h), of German pacific Sonderzug. Despite many checks 18 201 frequently made full use of it's 75 mph schedule and gave the small number of front coach steam enthusiasts, (mainly a British group of 15), plenty to listen to. The trains had a large audience of watchers scattered along the whole length of the route on both days: many locals turning out to see this magnificent machine pass by. At the water stops of Twistringen, (going North) and Syke, (on the return), both days saw a very large crowd waiting to take a closer look at this sole operational survivor, (albeit very heavily rebuilt) of the German pre-war streamlined high speed steam era.
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18 201 just after arrival at Hamburg on May 10th
A good weekend for linesider or train rider, with those on board recording the first two German "even times" of the year. |
| 1st May Report 2003 News Index for 2003
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1st May 012 100-4 Düsseldorf to Emden | |
It was a cool, windy and showery day as three cylinder 012 100-4, carrying it's original 01.10 classs number of 01 1100 returned to where it ran it's last main line duties for DB. It worked a DB Museum special from Düsseldorf to Emden and back on Thursday May 1st with a seven coach train that included the Oberhausen based baggage car with it's built in 15,000 litres of water in plastic tanks. But a slow schedule and with concerns about the 190 mile distance to be travelled even with the extra water, the pacific was rarely allowed to run as these lovely machines did on this route in the early 1970s.
So the performance was below par most of the day, apart perhaps from the Northbound run leaving Leer, when it must have been clear to the loco crew that sufficient water remained for them to get safely to Emden. |
01 1100 drifts through Emden after arriving from Düsseldorf. The baggage car contains the plastic tanks holding 15,000 litres of water. From that stop the loco made some nice noise for a short while accelerating quite fast up to the train speed limit of 75 mph, before a temporary speed restriction after Neermoor slowed the 300 tonne train. |
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19th April Report 2003 News Index for 2003 | |
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19th April: Eisenbahn Zollernbahn 30th birthday in the Stuttgart, Horb & Tubingen area
Thanks to these photos from Swiss based Alan Rees we can enjoy the biggest Easter German steam event, the 30th birthday of the Eisenbahn Zollernbahn. Top Red three cylinder 18 201 and 01 1066. Below Two cylinder 01 519. | |
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22nd February Report News Index for 2003 |
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| 012 100-4 starts the year in Hannover
The lovely clean oil fired pacific was recently at Hannover to work it's first two DB Museum trains of the year. On the 15th February 2003 it took a "sold out" six coach train down to Gernrode, and by all accounts made some wonderful noise climbing the snowy Harz foothills. On the following Saturday, the 22nd February, it worked down the old main line to Kassel via Kreiensen and Göttingen. A route it must surely have first travelled back in the 1940's, as this loco was based at Göttingen, Kassel and Bebra from 1944 up to 1967, the majority of it's working life in normal service. I travelled out to a cold Hannover to time this trip, my first behind steam for 2003. The train had been billed by DB as a "D" train, but was changed late on to run as an "E" train. Read on to find out why! | 
01 1100 at the Kreiensen photo halt on Saturday 22nd February |
| "LEINETAL"
A sharp frost and a freezing mist was the weather for the departure of 012 100-4 on a load of six cars for 235 tonnes. It soon became very obvious why the train was now classified as an "Eilzug", as a number of stops were planned down to Kassel, some for photos, and onelong enough for a Scheinanfahrt, (that's where the train reverses back out of a station and then makes a second arrival for the photographers). The train had also been given a 100 km/h, 62 mph, speed limit, which was not good news! That kept the noise down most of the way to a very sunny but still cool Kassel. A fresh driver took charge for the return, and it is pleasing to report after we were a little late away from Göttingen the loco ran more like an 01.10 on six cars should do! |  Much more noise at the starts, and the view of the loco from the rear of the train as 012 100-4 worked up the old main line to Hannover was truly memorable. There was one less stop on the way back, and only the need to follow a freight train up from Elze made us a couple of minutes late on arrival. An excellent start to 2003.
Hannover Report continued News Index for 2003 |
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012 100-4 Hannover Report continued. | |
012 100-4, with it's original number of 01 1100, reverses out of Kassel in lovely winter sunshine | |
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News Index for 2003 News Index Main Index |
012 100-4 ran well most of the way from Hamburg via Rostock to Lütten Klein and back on Saturday June 14th. The timetable was extended to cope with significant amounts of track works throughout the journey, but still allowed the 300 or so passengers a good day in fine weather at either Lütten Klein, (for the Garden Festival), or at the Ostsee, (Baltic), coast port of Warnemünde where the coaches were stabled before the evening return. In between the engineering works the pacific ran up to the 120 km/h train limit and on occasions produced that wonderful three cylinder roar beloved of so many rail fans.
012 100-4 reverses past the large signal box at a cloudy Warnemunde.