Narrow-gauge railways in Harz require substantial funding for their restoration

The Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (HSB), which operates the longest continuous narrow-gauge network in Germany, is facing financial difficulties. The railway, a significant tourist attraction in the Harz region, reported losses of 2.4 million euros in 2023 and 5.6 million euros in the previous year.

The increased costs for energy, personnel, and historical vehicles are the reasons behind the state's support for the HSB. The gauge of the HSB is one meter wide, and a renovation of the railway would take many years, requiring a three-digit million investment.

In an effort to secure the future of the HSB, the state of Saxony-Anhalt has promised more than eight million euros in support for the years 2024 and 2025. Furthermore, the state will provide additional financial support, with about 15 million euros allocated for the traffic contract and infrastructure costs in 2024, plus further increases planned.

Thuringia is also engaged in the discussions, and both states are involved in strategic restructuring and funding talks to finance the extensive renovation and renewal of the railway. The total investment requirement is to be determined by the management by the end of September.

The HSB is an important factor in tourism in the Harz region, with around 1.14 million people traveling with the HSB trains last year. Most of the travelers used the route to the Brocken. If multi-million investments are not secured, the HSB faces extinction, and individual sections of the HSB may have to be closed down for safety reasons at some point.

The participating municipalities, as shareholders, have decided to hold on to the track network. The states' support is crucial, as the HSB personnel is already lacking to maintain the timetable, and no threat of dismissals has been announced for the staff at the HSB.

The HSB needs to be repositioned, with steam locomotives to be converted to light oil. These initiatives are part of a joint effort by the two states to sustain the Harz narrow-gauge railway network over many years. The calculations will serve as a basis for talks with the states of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt.