More than 120 years ago, a narrow-gauge railway trundled along the Brocken in the Harz Mountains. But after the Wall was built in 1961, that came to an end. The trains have only been rolling again since September 15, 1991.
The plan was bold - not only in its time. A railway line was to lead to the highest peak in northern Germany, the Brocken, which was more than 1,100 meters high. Perhaps the same Harz pioneering spirit was behind the idea, which has been necessary for centuries to operate mining in the rugged landscape. In any case, three companies are founded at the end of the 19th century, bringing the railways to the southern and eastern Harz Mountains. The king's stage should lead to the Brocken:19 kilometers from the Drei Annen Hohne station at an altitude of 540 meters via Schierke to the summit. On March 27, 1899, the time had come, the line was inaugurated. There is a second premiere almost 100 years later:on September 15, 1991, the first passenger trains puffed their way to the Brocken in reunified Germany after a 30-year break.
Trains carry tourists and resources
In 1899, no one suspected what an eventful history the Brockenbahn was about to have. The route opens up the legendary mountain not only for more and more day trippers. It also becomes a symbol of the division of Germany. First, the trains roll as planned, bringing visitors to the Brocken and transporting wood and mineral resources from the Harz Mountains. The tracks are damaged during the Second World War, and the Russian military administration restricts traffic after the end of the war. In 1949 she handed the Brockenbahn over to the Deutsche Reichsbahn. A little later, passenger trains go up to the summit again.
The construction of the wall stops the train traffic
In the mid-1950s, the GDR Reichsbahn purchased 17 new steam locomotives for the narrow-gauge tracks of the Harz Mountains, which were only one meter wide. Most of them are still part of the fleet of today's Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB), including on the demanding route to the Brocken. But on August 14, 1961, the last passenger train puffed its way up the mountain. The construction of the Wall in Berlin ensures that the inner-German border also becomes more impermeable in the Harz Mountains. If you want to travel from Drei Annen Hohne to Schierke, you need a pass, from Schierke to the Brocken only freight trains run. They take care of soldiers who are stationed on the summit in the restricted military area. In 1987 the train traffic was completely stopped.
Restart in united Germany
After reunification, train traffic on the Brocken is revived. On September 15, 1991, two special trains set off from Schierke on their first official journeys.After reunification in 1990, plans quickly emerged to preserve the narrow-gauge railways in the Harz Mountains and to revive the Brocken Railway. In March 1991, rural districts and municipalities set up a "Municipal Founding Company for the Preservation of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways", which became Harzer Schmalspurbahnen GmbH in the same year. The tourist aspect is now in the foreground. Tracks and facilities are quickly renovated at a cost of millions and on September 15, 1991, the train service between Schierke and the Brocken station starts under the direction of the Reichsbahn with a big festival. Since July 1992, trains have been running all year round according to a fixed timetable.
The spectacular route, which spirals around the mountain to soften the gradient, is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Harz Mountains. Every year, the steam trains transport several hundred thousand people to Germany's highest station on a train that does not require gears or traction cables.