Plandampf 2008 - Werratal, Germany

[wisemanp 0]

So here we are, this is what I did in half term.

Some guys in Germany had a brilliant idea...why not use vintage old steam engines to run modern day heavy freight trains in wonderful scenery, and ask people to pay a donation for it to happen?

This idea became known as Plandampf - translated as 'scheduled steam'.

It was thought that last year's would be the last ever Plandampf, but suffiecient funds were raised for it to go ahead once again this year, on the Werratal line between Meiningen and Eisenach, in the old East Germany, in the Thueringer Wald.

Anyway, to the shots. We (Me, my Dad and my Brother), flew from Heathrow to Frankfurt on Thursday, requiring a 5:00 wake up... :shock:

A Syrian airbus pushes back

Our aircraft, D-AISL, a Lufthansa A321

United seem to be at Terminal 1 nowadays!

Another Lufty approaches T2

My favorite aircraft!! I didn't know they flew here...

Ba 747 takes off in the background

There's a really noticable American presence here...American, United, Delta, Continental, and Northwest!

T3 as we take to the air

Twickenham Rugby Stadium!

London Docklands

Approaching 07R at Frankfurt

Luftys and Uniteds

My first ever steam hauled freight! 2 x 52-8 Kriegsloks haul gravel and wood through Foertha

Having got to bed after midnight, due to having a ride on a passenger train hauled by steam, it was tough to get up at 05:15 for the first train of the day!

The Pacific loco 03 1010 was on one of the sets of passenger trains today

A 52-8 reaches Oberrohn

The next one, later that hour

Back up to Foertha, which is the station near the tunnel mouth at the top of a steep climb, where i had to hide behind a bin and take the photo through a fence, in order to be out of view of the hundred odd people taking photos or videos a bit further up!

One of the 52-8s sits in Walldorf, ready to head a wood train up the short climb to Meningen

2 52-8s sit tender- to- tender in Immelborn, which is where the gravel is loaded

Here they are seen departing with their 1600 tonne train

Here's a shot of all the crowds, with the train charging off in the background. In the middle are my dad and brother

An unexpected stop in Oberrohn to pass a service train. The sun sets in the distance

A new class of loco! 41 1144 climbs the north side of the bank, to Foertha tunnel.

2 x 52-8 storm past as they reach Oberrohn.

This shot was taken through my binoculars!

A double header with a wood train in Marksuhl, the bottom of the steep section of the run up to Foertha station.

Two 52-8s sit side by side in Immelborn, preparing for the grand finale, 1700 tonne gravel train to Eisenach.

This shot is particularly interesting due to the old semaphore signals, plus the gorgeous light. Unfortunately there is a wire in the way...

My favorite

No more pics of the finale due to the light disappearing, but I do have a video of it on youtube.

Here is the scene in Eisenach yard that evening. You ca njust make out the 3 front lights of a steam engine, and its steam whisping around.

Sunday morning, Plandampf was officially over, but there were two related specials which we stayed around for.

41 1144 at the same spot as seen earlier...different conditions!

It joined up with a train from Meiningen, and here is seen leaving Immelborn

And leaving Wasungen

Leaving Walldorf

Here are 2 videos i've done.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=k7CnnZ1O-vw

k7CnnZ1O-vw

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HMyGxrSn-j0

HMyGxrSn-j0

Hope you enjoyed! There are many more shots, these are only the ones I thought you'd enjoy most!

[rob16584 42]

Some awesome photos!

Pictures of trains are always better when they are steam trains, the trains themselves just look so much better with the steam billowing out of them.

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Great shots there Phil!

I'd disagree with you there Rob, I prefer the black clag coming out of a Class 55 Deltic or a Irish Class 071!

[mutley 4,487]

Got to admit I prefer the steam locomotives, reminds me of my early youth when I use to watch them on tracks near me

A very, very enjoyable post Phil, thanks for taking the time to share them with us.

Cheers

[reef 3]

Great shots Phil, looked like a fun trip. German Steam certainly is impressive.

steve

[grth_bbtt 0]

superb stuff there phil

love that shot of you climbing out of heathrow and the view of T3 :clap:

quite like the angle of the shots...make the trains look "cooler", especially the shot titled "A new class of loco! 41 1144 climbs the north side of the bank, to Foertha tunnel"

like the shot at frankfurt with the tails of the a/c as well....very nifty idea phil

[fighterpilot 0]

man you have skills in taking photos Phil! Love the Virgin Atlantic ones at Heathrow.

[MartinW 0]

Believe it or not, there's a railway track about 600 yards from MartinW's house. I don't hear them that often as it's down an embankment but every now and again a steam train hurtles past on its way to Tysley station, where they have a few old steamers. Even just the sound is quite thrilling.

http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/brm.htm

I must have a bash at that Shakespeare express some time. It might be quite entertaining for Katy.

Fares are a bit steep though. Stratford's not bad for me, about

[allardjd 1,853]

Phil,

Just excellent! Great topic, great shots.

Like Mutley and Uncle Martin, I can remember steam trains from my younger days too. Diesels replaced them and they are better in almost every way, but still, something worthwhile was lost. It's good that a few are preserved and kept operating from time to time.

John

[ddavid 149]

How absorbing - wonderful set of photo's, Phil - thanks for sharing! :dance2:

Loved the photo of London Docklands - Greenwich is where I grew up (you can see the park where I played cowboys 'n' injuns). :roll:

And the fantastc Dampf-Lokomotieven - my pen-friend Detlef's father used to be an engine driver for Deutsche Bahnhof, and his house was 5 meters from a slight incline in Neuss (near Dusseldorf). We used to hang out of his window, watching the incredible machines steam past - what a fantastic sight - especially at night, with the fire-box glowing - and the noise - pure magic....

Thanks again! :clap:

Cheers - Dai.

P.S. The Heathrow/Frankfut pics were good too!

[MartinW 0]

Actually I only recall one steam train experience when I was very young indeed. It was at one of the stations in Birmingham, probably New Street Station. A train let off steam and frightened the pants of me.

Mutley must be incredibly ancient.

And John... well, probably dessicated by now. :rofl

[wisemanp 0]

Thanks for all the comments guys!

It truly was one of the best trips I've ever been on.

Although I'm too young to have any memories of working steam (except for this, of course), there is definitely steam in the blood, with my dad and uncle mad about it, with their father and at least 3 uncles into trains...