Harz region's narrow gauge railways require substantial funds for restoration - Narrow-gauge railways in Harz require extensive investments for restoration
The Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB), Germany's longest continuous narrow-gauge network, spanning approximately 140 kilometers across Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, is currently facing significant financial difficulties.
Operating on a one-meter wide gauge, the HSB has been making losses in recent years, with a deficit of 2.4 million euros in 2023 and 5.6 million euros in the previous year. To address this, the management of the HSB has been tasked with determining the total investment needed by the end of September.
The comprehensive renovation of the HSB is estimated to require a three-digit million amount. The cities involved in the 2023 financing talks for the renovation include those in the German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, with Wernigerode being a key location where official meetings took place. Other local municipalities, such as Nordhausen, are also involved as shareholders, although specific city names are not detailed in the sources.
The state of Saxony-Anhalt has promised more than eight million euros in additional support for the HSB for the years 2024 and 2025. These calculations will serve as a basis for talks with the state of Thuringia.
The HSB is an essential factor in tourism in the Harz, with around 1.14 million people traveling with the HSB trains last year. However, if there are no investments, individual sections of the HSB may have to be shut down for safety reasons at some point.
In an effort to mitigate costs, steam locomotives in the HSB are to be converted to light oil, and the HSB is currently undergoing staffing shortages to maintain the timetable. To address this, a staff assembly at the HSB is planned for next Tuesday.
Despite the financial challenges, Thomas Balcerowski, the Supervisory Board Chairman of the HSB and the district administrator in the Harz district, stated that the HSB needs to be repositioned, not abandoned. He also confirmed that no dismissals are threatened.
The renovation of the HSB would take many years, but with the support of the municipalities, the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, and the dedication of its staff, the HSB is hopeful for a successful future.
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