At Wernigerode narrow gauge depot (9 pics & a little text)

[norbertnl]

Between Christmas and New Year's Eve I spent some days visiting the 'Harzer Schmalspurbahnen' (narrow gauge railways at the Harz, Germany). The HSB is a private company, running an integrated system of both contemporary local traffic and regular steam trains. One afternoon I visited the depot at Wernigerode, where all the steam locomotives and rail cars are being maintained.

Loco no. 99 7241 has been hoisted; wheels, pistons and connecting rods removed:


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A couple of parts of the loco is being worked on, e.g. here you see both pistons of the steam engine...


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...and the frame of a truck (I'm not sure if it's the front or rear truck).


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Cast iron bearings have been finished by grinding a rhombus pattern into the material in order to facilitate lube oil movement:


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Interesting detail: the driving wheels of the third (center) axle do not have wheel flanges:


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As you can see in the next picture, it is the main driving wheel with enlarged counterweights and a square end pivot to move the eccentric crane:


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Other than 99 7241, loco 99 7236 had just brought a passenger train from Nordhausen. Now it has arrived at the depot for a brief inspection, including cleaning and lubricating. Almost a CLA, if you like....


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Obviously the loco doesen't have much time: only a short breather...


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... and off it goes to haul the next train:


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After the visit I hit the road, ehm... sorry, the tracks again, heading towards the top of the 'Brocken', a fascinating train ride behind an other HSB steamer, with about 900 meters (~ 2700 feet) elevation gain.

M6+28,35,50 on Tri-X, ID 11 1+1.


All the best for 2007!
Norbert

[Rona|d]

Norbert, that´s the place of one of our photo-workshops ;-)
You enjoyed it?

p.s.

[norbertnl]

Hi Ronald, photo workshop... I must have missed something.... Indeed, I enjoyed it pretty much! I like disassembling steam locomotives! E.g., a few weeks ago I helped removing these connecting rods for CLA:


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It's a lot of fun, but you definitely need some sturdy qualified personnel around ;-)

Great pictures by the way!! In my case the weather was less cooperative ...

Best,
Norbert

[Rona|d]

Norbert you did a great job!

Will you be there again this year? We could maybe meet for a cup of coffee ...

some more ... (not the best ones, just what i have on my laptop)

[Rona|d]

997236:

[norbertnl]

Ronald, I haven't planned anything yet but wouldn't mind another visit, time schedule permitting. The loco I'm involved with is located in Oberhausen, btw. After revision it will be back on track somewhere in March. Probably there'll be a test run with passenger train on March 31 next.

Norbert

[cardinal]

Wow, really nice pictures. It can be difficult to get the opportunity to take any pictures of a locomotive inside the shop.

[moikle]

Norbert those are excellent pictures of an environment I feel totally at home with. I guess I was born 50 years too late. Thanks for sharing.

Mike

[norbertnl]

Thanks for your comments!

Access not too difficult to get, and Mike, you were born exactly on time. All it takes is a ticket to Wernigerode in Germany and some time on a Friday afternoon. There's a guided tour once a week. For further information take a look at the HSB website: Alles über Harzer Schmalspurbahnen GmbH (HSB)Harzer Schmalspurbahnen GmbH - Alles ueber Europas groesztes Dampfeisenbahnnetz

Best,
Norbert

[Peter41951]

An excellent series from both of you. Many thanks.

[cbretteville]

Nice series guys! Well done.
- Carl

[jlancasterd]

Hi Norbert

Thanks for a really splended set of photos of the HSB, Wernigerode workshops and the 'Brockenloks'. The railway that I'm involved with in UK (the Ffestiniog, in North Wales) is twinned with the HSB and we exchange staff from time to time. I've visited Wernigerode workshops a couple of times but haven't managed any shots as good as yours.

Since I last visited, I've aquired a DMR - so maybe I'll do better when I next visit! I'll certainly try converting some of my railway shots to monochrome.

Just a small point - are you sure that that was a *cast iron* bearing you photographed? Most plain bearings (ie those that are not roller bearings) in steam locomotive are made of brass. Wheel bearings are usually also lined with white metal, cast on top of the brass and carefully scraped to fit the axle.

[biglouis]

Norbert and Ronald

Fantastic shots. Very interesting material. Good choice of b/w vs colour, as well. I really enjoyed looking at these.

LouisB

[lambroving]

Norbert,

Have had little time (or interest with all the digital noise) to visit the Forum since late November, but I wish you had mailed me this link. You know I like looking at locos and also enjoy photography in factories and workshops. These are quite interesting and Leica-like. I envy you this access. Keep in touch!

[norbertnl]

John,

I haven't been to the Ffestiniog yet... surely a line to be visited in the future! As to the cast iron: I was telling from memory, possibly mixing things up a little. I'll check :-)

Norbert

[norbertnl]

William,

Sorry to have been uncommunicative lately, next time I'll send you an email. I'm sure you'd like the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen: it's not a museum but steam hauled regular service ....

Best,
Norbert

[jlancasterd]

Originally Posted by norbertnl

John,

I haven't been to the Ffestiniog yet... surely a line to be visited in the future! As to the cast iron: I was telling from memory, possibly mixing things up a little. I'll check :-)

Norbert

Norbert

If you are interested in the Ffestiniog you should try looking at www.festrail.co.uk - there's also a link to the Welsh Highland Railway website.