A Christmas Train Ride
A visit to the Harz Mountains provided an opportunity to ride the HSB.
A visit to the Harz Mountains provided an opportunity to ride the HSB.
There are not a lot of steam locomotives left in the world, especially ones that are still supporting an active transportation network. The trains of the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen or HSB, operate their one-hundred-forty-kilometre network around and through the Harz Mountains in Lower Saxony, Germany.
While planning our trip to Germany at the end of 2022, my son-in-law suggested the HSB as a possible activity for the family. We all agreed, and the day after Christmas, we found ourselves driving east across Germany to the Harz Mountains.
The HSB station is located in the center of Wernigerode. We purchased tickets to take us up to the top of the Brochen, at 1,141 m, the highest peak in the Harz.
Leaving Wernigerode, the weather was a bit chilly, but not uncomfortable. As we stopped at the stations along the way, always gaining altitude, the weather got colder. Snow was falling in big flakes at one of the stations. Possibly Drei Annen Hohne station which is where our train left the HSB main line and turned to climb the Brochen.
As the HSB is a historical train line, the compartments are maintained as they were in the mid-twentieth century. Expect simple accommodation on bench seating with a great view out across the Harz National Park. You can stand on the platforms between the cars and enjoy the exhaust from the oil-fired boilers when the wind is right. I only mention this as it does add to the experience.
At the station stops we would take a few minutes to walk along the platform which is how I set up Liddy in front of the locomotive. I don’t think she was entirely happy because of the strange noises coming from this monster.
On reaching the summit of the Brocken, snow was blowing across the station. There is nothing west of here that is taller, so the winds blow across Europe from the Atlantic. Did I mention that it was cold? Damn Cold.
Liddy and I watched the train crew detach the locomotive from the train and run it around to the other end where it was reattached, ready to return to Wernigerode. It was cold, and Liddy was not happy. Neither was I. That wind was brutal.
We retreated to the cafeteria after the train departed. The rest of the family was here enjoying the lunch and the warmth. They aren’t insane photographers.
I enjoyed bratwurst for lunch. Maybe a bit of beer. Nice and warm around the table.
After lunch, we boarded our return train to Wernigerode. As it was later in the day, and the weather had eased a bit, we saw that there were many people who were out hiking through the mountains in the snow. I assume that most were on a day hike, out to enjoy the National Park and the post-Christmas holidays. A very popular place. Must be really crowded in the summertime.
The world is a beautiful place. Share the beauty. Leave only footsteps.