Grantham - the Streamliner years

[richard i]

Northern Germany. The RAF did less aerial town planning in the south so more stations look 19th century than in the north.

[Flying Fox 34F]

I can just make out the DB emblem on the clock and one of the doors.  Are you taking the Grantham/Hills of the North team to visit the Brocken?

 

Paul

[Metropolitan H]

9 hours ago, LNER4479 said:

Now then, me hearties. Where do you suppose this fine body of ladies and gentlemen might be heading? I'll leave it here as a little teaser for now. Anyone who can work out exactly where this photo is taken is either very well-travelled or an incredibly lucky guess.

 

More to follow shortly ...

 

Hannover Bahnhof?

 

Is that Roy in with beard, glasses and cap that I see in the back row?

 

Regards

Chris H

[Mallard60022]

9 hours ago, LNER4479 said:

Now then, me hearties. Where do you suppose this fine body of ladies and gentlemen might be heading? I'll leave it here as a little teaser for now. Anyone who can work out exactly where this photo is taken is either very well-travelled or an incredibly lucky guess.

 

More to follow shortly ...

 

Looks Like Lidl  Central to me.

[gr.king]

We might have been there, or thereabouts, for at least part of the time too, but for KLM's inconsiderate decision to cancel a flight that it had previously "confirmed". Not the only time it has done so, I'm told. Lesson learned, choose a reliable airline...

 

For those "in the know", I believe the phrase "to the regiment" may apply.

[Mallard60022]

As Mr Pearce is there, it must involve Beer and leather Clothing.

P

[Flying Fox 34F]

10 minutes ago, gr.king said:

We might have been there, or thereabouts, for at least part of the time too, but for KLM's inconsiderate decision to cancel a flight that it had previously "confirmed". Not the only time it has done so, I'm told. Lesson learned, choose a reliable airline...

 

Both KLM and Lufthansa are becoming famous for their cancellations.

 

Paul

[LNER4479]

1 hour ago, Flying Fox 34F said:

I can just make out the DB emblem on the clock and one of the doors.  Are you taking the Grantham/Hills of the North team to visit the Brocken?

 

Pretty much!

 

As we're on a new page, here's a who's who. Almost obscured by Andrew (occupational hazard) is Jonathan, also of this parish. After a trouble-free Eurostar to Brussels and Thalys journey onwards, here we are spilled out at Cologne for a breath of fresh air.

 

Eschewing the conventional, we jogged along over the Rhine to make our overnight stop at Wuppertal (like I needed to tell you that).

 

Quick bag drop and straight back out to ride the famous Schwebebahn. Paul & Jeanette obviously enjoying the experience; Jonathan and Isabelle have the rear window 'best seats in the house'.

 

Always a crowd pleaser - my third time here but it was a new experience for most of the team.

 

Plenty of restaurants in town. This traditional German place was able to squeeze us all in to allow the beer drinking to commence.

 

 

Next time ... onwards and eastwards!

 

Edited May 7, 2023 by LNER4479

[gr.king]

5 hours ago, Flying Fox 34F said:

Both KLM and Lufthansa are becoming famous for their cancellations.

 

Paul

The rather annoying thing of course, is that it isn't easy to choose a more reliable airline when only KLM schedule convenient (theoretical) flights from your local airport to an international hub.  May as well not have a local airport if that's the best service they can (not) offer...

[Flying Fox 34F]

I feel your pain Graeme!  I’m aggrieved that Doncaster closed, as it is closest to my family.  Being where I am now, I end up travelling through Luton.

Paul

[LNER4479]

So, continuing on with our Team Grantham expedition.

 

Our (first) destination was indeed Wernigerode, the base for exploring the Harz mountains and the metre gauge Harzer Schmalspur Bahnen (HSB) network that serves the area. Here we are, on the steps of our hotel, the Altora Eisenbahnthemen (railway themed hotel), where one can observe the comings and goings from the comfort of the restaurant or hotel room balcony.

 

As the weather forecast for this day (Sat 29th) was only so-so, we held back on the Brocken run. Two adventurous souls took the early morning railcar to Nordhausen, the rest of us headed for Quedlinburg for a ramble on the Selketalbahn. Unfortunately, the usual Krupp 2-6-2T seems to have gone missing in action (wasn't there the last time I ventured this way in Sept last year either?), so one of the more usual 2-10-2Ts was deputising, well within itself on this small train. This is Alexisbad, as far as the morning steam diagram ventures.

 

Back-tracking slightly, this was the parallel departure from Quedlinburg, where the Harz train and the standard gauge follow each other some way out of the town. If the driver of the service train to Thale is 'game', this is usually the result! Our train nicely reflected in the windows of the modern unit.

 

Some of us returned to Quedlinburg for a look round the UNESCO heritage old town and castle complex. Note the bimmelbahn (road train) on the left.

 

One was only too happy to act as impromptu town guide, having been round a few times now(!)

 

Meanwhile, the remaining rump of the party elected to do the rather satifying Harz 'round tour', continuing on from Alexisbad on this railcar to Eisfelder Talmuhle, the southern junction station.

 

This is timed to connect with rather more impressive transport, the out and back service from Wernigerode. Here it is on arrival, about to run round for its return trip. With a second railcar having come in from Nordhausen, heading for the Selketalbahn route, this is a typical series of connections that makes the HSB a cut above a more usual A-to-B operation.

 

Back at the hotel, some dined in the train restaurant, where the LGB train delivers the drinks to the table.

(last 4 pictures courtesy of the Wealleans contingent)

 

To be continued, as the sun makes a welcome appearance 😎

Edited May 8, 2023 by LNER4479

[DaveF]

That's brought back some memories from the early 90s!

 

David

[LNER4479]

Stand by for more, David.

 

Have seen the pictures on your thread. It was 2006 when I discovered the Harz for the first time. Some (much?) of the old DDR had rubbed off by that time; but, in other respects, it's still the same old place. Popular but retains much of its charm. Above all, I just love the way the system is run like a proper railway.

 

Two pix below from my first 2006 visit, where it made such an impression on me. That first run up the Brocken will live long in the memory.

 

 

 

 

[St Enodoc]

14 hours ago, LNER4479 said:

Above all, I just love the way the system is run like a proper model railway.

Corrected.

[30368]

20 hours ago, LNER4479 said:

Stand by for more, David.

 

 

Thanks for the images LNER4479 really great and much appreciated.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[LNER4479]

The next day (Sun 30th), the sun shone - brightly!

 

Boy, did it shine 😎 The committed enthusiasts once again headed out on the network; those of a more gentile persuasion chose to explore the local area. Here we are, up on the castle terrace, enjoying the view over the town, looking towards the Brocken peak (more or less dead centre). This enabled me to observe something I'd never managed before:

 

The smoke trail of a train making its final ascent to the summit could clearly be seen! Steve (31A) was on this train - give us a wave!

 

In the afternoon, we took the local train to the other UNESCO town in the area - Goslar. Once again, I acted as impromptu tour guide.

 

This is the main town square, really busy, folks no doubt brought out by the sunshine. We timed our arrival to be here for 3pm, when ...

 

The carillon bells of the 18th century Kaiserringhaus and the mechanical figures sing / enact the story of Goslar and Rammelsburg silver mines.

 

Meanwhile, back at the station, perhaps the last opportunity to enjoy the mechanical signalling installations hereabouts, as there was ominous evidence of the dreaded lights on sticks as imminent replacements.

 

This rather endearing platform miniature set was worthy of detailed study (Isabelle's picture)

 

Always worth lingering back at Wernigerode late afternoon as the trains come back in and locos dispose of their stock. Having run round, 99 234 then entertained us, shunting its stock over to the adjacent platform. Note the hotel in the background - that might be Steve again, observing proceedings from his first floor window!

 

A nice end to a very pleasant day.

 

Next day - will the sun keep shining for our trip up the Brocken?

 

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by LNER4479

[jwealleans]

1 hour ago, LNER4479 said:

The carillon bells of the 18th century Kaiserringhaus and the mechanical figures sing / enact the story of Goslar and Rammelsburg silver mines.

 

... and don't I know it.   Seven and a half minutes to film the whole sequence.   I thought my arms were coming off.

 

Anyway, point of order.... I'm told you've missed the most important parts of the tour....

 

 

 

 

She had to be quick on the draw as they just appeared out of nowhere.   And of course:

 

 

Nothing wrong with a healthy interest in street furniture, I always say.

[Buhar]

1 hour ago, jwealleans said:

I thought my arms were coming off.

Should have done a Penny Mordant training regime in preparation.

Alan 

[LNER4479]

So, did the sun shine for our Brocken day?

 

You bet! Perhaps not quite as crystal clear as the previous day, but I'll take a day like this for the Brocken any day. One slight advantage was that most folk seem to have gone up on the previous day so the trains weren't too overcrowded on this day (despite it being their bank holiday). Quite a few photos taken so I'll split this across two posts.

 

Once under way, the party soon took to the usual balcony vantage points to enjoy the spectacle.

 

... affording views such as this as the line continually twists and turns.

 

The obligatory water stop at Drei Annen Hohne. Very evident here is the additional shrubbery the driver has adorned his loco with. May 1st, perhaps? Or the morning after Walpurgisnacht?(!) 

 

Closing in on the summit, as the train follows the Goetheweg before tackling the final spiral to the top. The summit buildings can be glimpsed.

 

On arrival, an earlier contingent of the party were waiting for us ...

 

... leading to us being duly photographed!

 

Once a wagon spotter, always a wagon spotter - in fact, two wagons in this instance, as the tanker is sitting on a transporter wagon. No wonder he's so excited. (Isabelle's photo)

 

More obligatory-ness, the summit stone group photo.

 

More to follow ...

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by LNER4479

[LNER4479]

Once fed and watered (bratwurst and chips, washed down by gluhwein), some of us made our way down the footpath to the crossing point, a fine vantage point for observing and photographing further trains heading up to the summit.

 

Here's the pre-war 2-10-2T forging its way up in usual style.

 

Being a bank holiday, the railway was running its 'Traditionzug' train, which followed the service train on block, some 10 minutes later. Both trains could be heard tackling the climb simultaneously. For this one, I switched to video mode:

 

 

Back up at the summit ...

 

 ... No. 7247 had already run round its train and shunted clear.

 

Great views from the station platform, as our return train makes its way up (evidenced only by the whiffs of exhaust). In the distance, at the foot of the hills, the town of Wernigerode can clearly be seen (to the right), as well as the town of Ilsenburg (left).

 

Back at Drei Annen Hohne, we were in position to witness the mid-afternoon 'three trains meet'. The train we came down on is to the right. Behind it, out of sight, is the Wernigerode train as the next Brocken train rolls in.

 

In fact, it turned out to be the 'FOUR trains meet', as no sooner had the train in Gleiss 2 departed for Nordhausen, the Traditionzug rolled in! All very slick and HSB-like.

 

It followed us down so we only had to wait for 10-15 mins at Wernigerode to see it again, for one last time.

 

Final Wernigerode meal at the Brauhaus (photo by Barry Y).

 

And 'last orders' at the Altora ...

 

... with a view across to the loco shed yard.

 

A great day to end another great Harz visit. But we're not done just yet - stay tuned for more ...

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by LNER4479

[The Stationmaster]

If you're heading in this direction for the two branches you might find some traces of DR - have a look at the air pumps on the engines.

 

 

[lezz01]

The big problem I have with visiting Germany is that I tend to feel I have to eat my way out. I can never really decide whether to eat Bratwurst or Schnitzel so I usually have both on the way out and maybe just another Bratty on the way back. They are after all a sausage and there is no such thing as too many sausages. Trips to Germany usually result in me putting on a couple of stone, then I get it in the ear from my diabetic nurse.

Regards Lez.      

[LNER4479]

19 minutes ago, lezz01 said:

The big problem I have with visiting Germany is that I tend to feel I have to eat my way out. I can never really decide whether to eat Bratwurst or Schnitzel so I usually have both on the way out and maybe just another Bratty on the way back. They are after all a sausage and there is no such thing as too many sausages. Trips to Germany usually result in me putting on a couple of stone, then I get it in the ear from my diabetic nurse.

Regards Lez.      

 

Other dishes are available, such as:

 

 

The excellent venison goulash at this particular restaurant was also enjoyed by several of the party.

 

You certainly won't starve on a trip to the Fatherland 🤪

Edited May 10, 2023 by LNER4479

[jwealleans]

 

Quote

The excellent venison goulash at this particular restaurant was also enjoyed...

 

It most certainly was.

 

2 hours ago, lezz01 said:

Trips to Germany usually result in me putting on a couple of stone, then I get it in the ear

 

Tell me about it.  I'm on two weeks of cabbage soup.

Edited May 10, 2023 by jwealleans
Disappearing quotation.

[The Stationmaster]

7 minutes ago, jwealleans said:

 

Tell me about it.  I'm on two weeks of cabbage soup.

When I went to Poland 'chasing steam' in 1975 I hunted everywhere for a restaurant serving proper cabbage soup.  Finally found one at a station in the south of the country.  And apart from being delicious it was even served with proper black bread. heaven.-