Fresh off the mainline - in 1987
What began as a non-railfanning day ended in a hot pursuit of a class 44 steamer...
With a befriended family and my railfan friend we set out for Rudolstadt in the Saale valley. After taking a tour around the castle we wanted to have picknick near the railway station. Munching away sandwiches at having a look at the trains running past. Diesel-powered by that time. We haven't really started to spread the blanket when the crossing gates were lowered, but the whistle blowing was a steam whistle. The single steamer passed the station without stopping but slowed down for a red signal. We ran to grab a look, from behind it could be either a class 41 or 44.
So we persuaded to wrap up and try to follow the steam engine.
The chase ended at Göschwitz where we finally stood face to face with the 44 2453. The three-cylinder steamer was brought there to provide steam for hot water while the large power plant was down for summer maintenance.
The 44 2453 was built back to burning coal in 1982, the rebuild date 27.10.82 is visible on the buffer. Basically the steamer was still fully serviceable but only was used for heating purposes. And had that looks.
Göschwitz, July 11, 1987
Fresh off the mainline - in 1987
What began as a non-railfanning day ended in a hot pursuit of a class 44 steamer...
With a befriended family and my railfan friend we set out for Rudolstadt in the Saale valley. After taking a tour around the castle we wanted to have picknick near the railway station. Munching away sandwiches at having a look at the trains running past. Diesel-powered by that time. We haven't really started to spread the blanket when the crossing gates were lowered, but the whistle blowing was a steam whistle. The single steamer passed the station without stopping but slowed down for a red signal. We ran to grab a look, from behind it could be either a class 41 or 44.
So we persuaded to wrap up and try to follow the steam engine.
The chase ended at Göschwitz where we finally stood face to face with the 44 2453. The three-cylinder steamer was brought there to provide steam for hot water while the large power plant was down for summer maintenance.
The 44 2453 was built back to burning coal in 1982, the rebuild date 27.10.82 is visible on the buffer. Basically the steamer was still fully serviceable but only was used for heating purposes. And had that looks.
Göschwitz, July 11, 1987