Haben sie zimmer frei? 099 729 climbs into Kurort Oybin from Zittau. 02nd April 1993.
I am on a weeks trip to the Dresden and Saxony area of the former DDR in early spring of 1993. Here for the steam, I have recently finished an electricians apprenticeship and finished work. The opportunity to take three months in China and India was taken, but back home in January of 1993, things are a bit depressing. There is little work available so I use some of my left over money to see the narrow gauge steam in the Dresden area, to catch the rollwagen while they still roll.
I have little money and compared to where I have travelled, this place is expensive. Very expensive. I also dress like a hippy. The jacket is hand made in Pushkar, India, and the hair is growing long. And topped or bottomed off of course by a pair of trusty Dock Martins.
My accommodation has been whittled down to the Youth Hostel in Dresden, which is not convenient for the railway station but at least I can stock up from the breakfast buffet.
But on the lines up from Zittau there is no such choice. But on day one of the trip I came across a young local photographer at the narrow gauge steam sheds of Freital-Hainsburg in the Dresden suburbs. He tells me I need to look out for signs posted outside houses saying "Zimmer Frei". This means "Room Free". The owners are making some extra cash in a struggling economy by offering a room to tourists, people like me. And they should only cost about 10 marks, unlike the 50 plus which a hotel would charge. And there are not many hotels.
So I look in my German phrase book and practice, "Haben sie Zimmer frei bitte?".
On arrival at the top spa town of Kurort Oybin, I am pleased to see that most houses display the Zimmer Frei sign. So I knock on a door close to the station. Nein! is the kurt reply. I walk down the street trying all the houses. The occupants, all middle aged or older give me a quick look up and down and then give the same one word reply. Oh well, I can try the other terminus, Kurort Jonsdorf. The same happens... Maybe they don't trust someone who is foreign and dresses like a hippy...
I am left with the stark choice of a grand looking Pension which admittedly is right next to the line. I step inside and approach the reception desk "haben sie zimmer frei bitte"? The young receptionist can speak some English. She tells me they have rooms for 80 Marks but can give me one for 50. 50?!!! I protest. She takes pity and lets me have a top floor room for 20, with breakfast.
In the morning there is a hard frost and fog which, after the first train, soon lifts. I begin to walk down to the junction station at Bertsdof where is possible to photograph two steam hauled trains side by side. A car pulls up alongside, the driver asks me something and I reply that I am English, sorry but I don't understand. He asks where I am going, he is offering a lift. My faith in the human race is restored.
76cm 2-10-2t oil burner 099-729 climbs cleanly up into Kurort Oybin with a Saturday afternoon train from Zittau, April the 2nd 1993.
For Sven, Andreas and Nico.
Haben sie zimmer frei? 099 729 climbs into Kurort Oybin from Zittau. 02nd April 1993.
I am on a weeks trip to the Dresden and Saxony area of the former DDR in early spring of 1993. Here for the steam, I have recently finished an electricians apprenticeship and finished work. The opportunity to take three months in China and India was taken, but back home in January of 1993, things are a bit depressing. There is little work available so I use some of my left over money to see the narrow gauge steam in the Dresden area, to catch the rollwagen while they still roll.
I have little money and compared to where I have travelled, this place is expensive. Very expensive. I also dress like a hippy. The jacket is hand made in Pushkar, India, and the hair is growing long. And topped or bottomed off of course by a pair of trusty Dock Martins.
My accommodation has been whittled down to the Youth Hostel in Dresden, which is not convenient for the railway station but at least I can stock up from the breakfast buffet.
But on the lines up from Zittau there is no such choice. But on day one of the trip I came across a young local photographer at the narrow gauge steam sheds of Freital-Hainsburg in the Dresden suburbs. He tells me I need to look out for signs posted outside houses saying "Zimmer Frei". This means "Room Free". The owners are making some extra cash in a struggling economy by offering a room to tourists, people like me. And they should only cost about 10 marks, unlike the 50 plus which a hotel would charge. And there are not many hotels.
So I look in my German phrase book and practice, "Haben sie Zimmer frei bitte?".
On arrival at the top spa town of Kurort Oybin, I am pleased to see that most houses display the Zimmer Frei sign. So I knock on a door close to the station. Nein! is the kurt reply. I walk down the street trying all the houses. The occupants, all middle aged or older give me a quick look up and down and then give the same one word reply. Oh well, I can try the other terminus, Kurort Jonsdorf. The same happens... Maybe they don't trust someone who is foreign and dresses like a hippy...
I am left with the stark choice of a grand looking Pension which admittedly is right next to the line. I step inside and approach the reception desk "haben sie zimmer frei bitte"? The young receptionist can speak some English. She tells me they have rooms for 80 Marks but can give me one for 50. 50?!!! I protest. She takes pity and lets me have a top floor room for 20, with breakfast.
In the morning there is a hard frost and fog which, after the first train, soon lifts. I begin to walk down to the junction station at Bertsdof where is possible to photograph two steam hauled trains side by side. A car pulls up alongside, the driver asks me something and I reply that I am English, sorry but I don't understand. He asks where I am going, he is offering a lift. My faith in the human race is restored.
76cm 2-10-2t oil burner 099-729 climbs cleanly up into Kurort Oybin with a Saturday afternoon train from Zittau, April the 2nd 1993.
For Sven, Andreas and Nico.