Austria. 1973/01/24, 1. The rack line over the "Iron Mountain" - the Erzbergbahn - joined up with the mainline at Eisenerz, where there was an ore terminal for trains that worked the long way round to the steel works at Leoben, the other side of the mountain. 0-6-2RT No. 97.208 is shunting around the station with one of its coaches, while the electric station pilot No. 1080.05 sits alongside. The rack tank had arrived at 09:43 with the 08:20 passenger train from Vordernberg, it is now preparing its train to depart at 12:20 back to Vordernberg. Wednesday 24th January 1973.

Austria. 1973/01/24, 2. The rack line over the "Iron Mountain" - the Erzbergbahn - joined up with the mainline at Eisenerz, where there was an ore terminal for trains that worked the long way round to the steel works at Leoben, the other side of the mountain. 0-6-2RT No. 97.208 is waiting in the station with its coaches, while the electric station pilot No. 1080.05 sits alongside. The rack tank had arrived at 09:43 with the 08:20 passenger train from Vordernberg, it is now ready to depart at 12:20 back to Vordernberg. Wednesday 24th January 1973.

Austria. 1973/01/24, 3. The rack line over the "Iron Mountain" - the Erzbergbahn - joined up with the mainline at Eisenerz, where there was an ore terminal for trains that worked the long way round to the steel works at Leoben, the other side of the mountain. 0-6-2RT No. 97.208 is waiting in the station with its coaches, a small track gang railbus alongside. The rack tank had arrived at 09:43 with the 08:20 passenger train from Vordernberg, it is now ready to depart at 12:20 back to Vordernberg. The engine is at the rear of the train as in the usual way the engine propelled the train up the rack line. The Erzberg itself can be seen towering over the church in the background. Wednesday 24th January 1973.

Austria. 1973/01/24, 4. At the other end of the rack from Eisenerz over the "Iron Mountain" at Vordernberg, the line met up with the electrified route to Leoben. Ore trains were worked from Erzberg to Vordernberg by the rack tanks and then continued their journey behind non-rack traction. 0-6-2RT No. 97.210 is on one end of a set of empty ore wagons, another engine on the rear, as the train departs for Erzberg. Note the railbuses stabled in the sidings for passenger workings down the valley. Wednesday 24th January 1973.

Austria. 1973/01/25. ÖBB 0-6-2RT's Nos 97.203 & 97.205 are train engine and banker respectively as they blast their way up the "Erzbergbahn" (Iron Mountain Railway) in Austria. They are hauling empty iron ore wagons up the rack line from Vordernberg to Präbichl and on to Erzberg for the train to be loaded. It will then return to Vordernberg where electric traction takes over for the run to the steel works at Leoben. Thursday 25th January 1973.

Austria. 1973/01/26, 1. The sun has not yet risen far enough to reach the valley bottom as an unidentifed Class 97.2 0-6-2RT storms up the gradient from Vordernberg into Vordernberg Markt station with the first passenger train of the day to Erzberg on the "Iron Mountain Railway". Friday 26th January 1973.

Austria. 1973/01/26, 2. At Präbichl 97.204 is at the rear of a full train of iron ore which has been "topped & tailed" from Erzberg, and is then joined by 97.201 having run round. They sit and simmer in the sunshine in the station loop, while a hand operated snowplough blows snow all over the wagons! The two engines then returned light to Erzberg to collect another full load, leaving this train in the loop. Friday 26th January 1973.

Austria. 1973/01/26, 3. On the "Erzbergbahn" (Iron Mountain Railway) in Austria, ÖBB 0-6-2RT's Nos. 97.203 & 97.205 blast their way up the first part of the climb from Vordernberg into Vordernberg Markt station with a train of empty iron ore wagons. After waiting in the refuge siding there for a down loaded train to pass, they will recommence the climb to Präbichl summit and on to Erzberg itself. Friday 26th January 1973.

Austria. 1973/01/27, 1. At Garsten, the Steyrtalbahn had its station adjoining the standard gauge lines which are electrified. Krauss 0-6-2T No. 298.53 approaches the narrow gauge station from the sidings, to form the 13:15 depature to Molln, the limit of passenger train operations. Several well wrapped-up passengers wait for it to stop. Saturday 27th January 1973.

Austria. 1973/01/27, 2. At Garsten, the Steyrtalbahn had its station adjoining the standard gauge lines which are electrified. Krauss 0-6-2T No. 298.53 waits in the narrow gauge station to form the 13:15 depature to Molln, the limit of passenger train operations. Saturday 27th January 1973.

Austria. 1973/01/27, 3. Krauss 0-6-2T No. 298.53 has just arrived at Molln with the 13:15 train from Garsten on the 760mm gauge Steyrtalbahn on the snowy afternoon of Saturday 27th January 1973. The line continued further to Klaus, but at this stage, this was as far as passenger trains ran. The line closed in 1982 but fortunately, part of the line survives and is still in operation as a tourist railway. Happily, this loco also survives in preservation. The engine is Krauss standard class U, works No. 3711, built in Linz in 1898.

Austria. 1973/01/27, 4. At Molln, No. 298.53 came off its train and went to the small loco depot to be serviced prior to returning to Garsten. The fireman leant a ladder against the tanksides and fitted a wonderful arrangement of extension pipes to fill the tanks with water. Quite what stopped this arrangement from freezing in the wintry conditions, I don't know! Saturday 27th January 1973.

Germany. 1970/05/03, 1. Having travelled overnight from Oostende to Köln and Stuttgart, I then took a local train to Tübingen to be greeted by my first sight of live German steam - and what a sight! Ex-Prussian P8 4-6-0 DB No. 038 772-0 has recently been repainted and is a sight to behold at the head of a "Sonderzug" (special train) at Tübingen HBf, just before 09:00 on the very wet morning of Sunday 3rd May 1970. P8's have been amongst my favourite engines ever since!

Germany. 1970/05/03, 2. Ex-Prussian P8 4-6-0 DB No. 038 772-0 has recently been repainted and is a sight to behold at the head of a "Sonderzug" (special train) at Tübingen HBf, just before 09:00 on the very wet morning of Sunday 3rd May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/04, 1. With its fire being built up, Prussian P8 4-6-0 No. 038 711-8 stands on the bridge over the River Neckar at Horb, awaiting the arrival of a train from Tübingen. This train split at Horb, half continuing south to Rottweil while this engine backed onto the rest of the train and departed northwards at 08:00 to Freudenstadt and Freiburg. Monday 4th May 1970. A light diesel engine, possibly 212 226-5, also crosses the bridge heading south towards Rottweil.

Germany. 1970/05/04, 2. With its fire being built up, Prussian P8 4-6-0 No. 038 711-8 stands on the bridge over the River Neckar at Horb, awaiting the arrival of a train from Tübingen. This train split at Horb, half continuing south to Rottweil while this engine backed onto the rest of the train and departed northwards at 08:00 to Freudenstadt and Freiburg. Monday 4th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/04, 3. Wreathed in its own steam condensing in the cold morning air, Prussian P8 4-6-0 No. 038 711-8 stands on the bridge over the River Neckar at Horb, awaiting the arrival of a train from Tübingen. This train split at Horb, half continuing south to Rottweil while this engine backed onto the rest of the train and departed northwards at 08:00 to Freudenstadt and Freiburg. Monday 4th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/04, 4. Prussian P8 4-6-0 No. 038 156-6 starts away from Horb station with the 07:51 train to Tübingen on the morning of Monday 4th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/04, 5. Prussian P8 4-6-0 No. 038 791-0 is passing the yard and former loco depot (where a dumped classmate can just be seen) as it approaches Horb station at around 12:30 with a stopping passenger train from Rottweil to Böblingen on Monday 4th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/04, 6. Ex-Prussian T18 Class 4-6-4T, DR & DB series 78, No. 078 246-6 eventually became the last survivor of the class in the west, but at this stage was one of several still around. It is about to leave the small engine shed area at Rottweil in preparation to work a train to Villingen. In the background is 3 cylinder 2-10-0 No. 044 375-4. Monday 4th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/05, 01. There is still a bit of early morning mist around as Prussian P8 4-6-0 No. 038 382-8 stands on the bridge over the River Neckar at Horb, awaiting the arrival of a train from Tübingen. This train split at Horb, half continuing south to Rottweil while this engine backed onto the rest of the train and departed northwards at 08:00 to Freudenstadt and Freiburg. Tuesday 5th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/05, 02. The clock on the church at Horb stands at 8 o'clock as Prussian P8 No. 038 382-8 departs from the station with the 08:00 train to Freudenstadt and Freiburg on a crisp May morning. The train is crossing the modern concrete bridge over the River Neckar, not visible in this shot. Tuesday 5th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/05, 03. Ex-Prussian P8 4-6-0, DB No. 038 382-8 crossing the bridge over the River Neckar at Horb with the 08:00 passenger train to Freiburg, Tuesday 5th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/05, 04. DB Class 50 2-10-0 No. 052 953-7 climbs away from Horb station out of the Neckar Valley with the 08:22 mixed train to Freudenstadt on the lovely morning of Tuesday 5th May 1970. The train consisted of three bogie passenger coaches and four goods wagons.

Germany. 1970/05/05, 05. DB P8 4-6-0 No. 038 156-6 starts its local passenger train away from Eyach station near Börstingen and has just crossed the bridge over the River Eyach where it meets the River Neckar as it works from Tübingen to Horb on the morning of Tuesday 5th May 1970. This was also the junction for the line to Hechingen, now a "Museumsbahn".

Germany. 1970/05/05, 06. Horb station in the Neckar Valley, P8 4-6-0 No. 038 553-4 waits on the left with the 12:41 all stations from Horb to Böblingen as V200 diesel No. 220 063-2 arrives with an express from Konstanz to Stuttgart, Tuesday 5th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/05, 07. The diesel-hauled express has now left for Stuttgart and the connecting local is about to leave, a few minutes late! The station clock stands at 12:45 as P8 4-6-0 No. 038 553-4 waits the road at Horb station with the 12:41 departure for Böblingen, having arrived a few minutes earlier from Rottweil, Tuesday 5th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/05, 08. The local allotments backed onto the area at the rear of Tübingen loco depot, where in common with most depots dumped engines and other pieces of rolling stock were stored. 2-10-0 No. 052 410-7 rusts quietly amongst the weeds and broken fences, along with a couple of loco tenders, the depot chimneys towering over the scene. Tuesday 5th May 1970. 052 401-7 was stored from October 1969 and written off the books on 27th November 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/05, 09. Ex-Prussian T18 class 4-6-4T (DR & DB Class 78) No. 078 246-6 shunts a postal coach at Horb station to add to the train it is about to take south to Rottweil on the evening of Tuesday 5th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/05, 10. Prussian P8 4-6-0 No. 038 626-8 shunts some empty six-wheel coaches in the yard south of Horb station, passing the rather fine signalbox as it does so. This was on the evening of Tuesday 5th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/06, 01. After I was given permission to take photographs at Tübingen locomotive depot, these two Prussian P8 4-6-0's made a lovely subject for my camera. Tübingen depot was unusual in Germany as it was a straight shed, most depots being roundhouses, so these engines are stabled on parallel roads. Several P8's were still active in this area and some, as here, were well looked-after. Wednesday 6th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/06, 02. Contrast in front ends at Tübingen loco depot - in the foreground is an unidentified EMU recently arrived from Stuttgart, in the centre is a streamlined unit No. 458 402-7 and beyond is Class 50 2-10-0 No. 051 685-1. Wednesday 6th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/06, 03. Bo-Bo electric of Class E44, No. 144 020-5 is stabled with a classmate alongside an EMU in red livery, outside the depot at Tübingen, Wednesday 6th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/06, 04. Ex-Prussian P8 DB No. 038 650-8 restarts its train on the 1 in 48 gradient out of Laufen station, en route to Lautlingen and Sigmaringen. This was train E2076, the 17:20 "Eilzug" (semi-fast passenger train) from Tübingen. This line is very scenic as it passes through the Schwäbische Albe range of prominent hills. Wednesday 6th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/07, 1. Seen from my bedroom window at the Fremdenzimmer in which I was staying, P8 4-6-0 No. 038 382-8 starts away from Laufen station up the 1 in 48 gradient towards Lautlingen with N4300, the 04:35 Tübingen to Ebingen and Sigmaringen stopping passenger train on the morning of Thursday 7th May 1970. Note the total lack of fencing along the line!

Germany. 1970/05/07, 2. An unidentified Prussian P8 4-6-0 drifts down the grade into Laufen village with a train from Sigmaringen to Tübingen on the morning of Thursday 7th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/07, 3. P8 038 559-1 descends the 1 in 48 gradient from Lautlingen towards Laufen with a train from Ebingen to Tübingen on Thursday 7th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/07, 4. Prussian P8 4-6-0 No. 038 039-4 drifts down the grade from Lautlingen towards Laufen as it works light engine back to Tübingen amid the hills of the Schwäbische Alb, rising here to 964 metres above sea level (3205 feet). It had earlier piloted a special train up the gradients to Ebingen, and has now been turned at the shed there to return to home depot. Thursday 7th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/07, 5. Prussian P8 4-6-0 No. 038 711-8 climbs the 1 in 48 gradient from Laufen (in the background) up to Lautlingen with a train from Tübingen to Sigmaringen along the scenic line through the Schwäbische Alb. Thursday 7th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/07, 6. 038 711-8 and its train have stopped in the station at Laufen in the background and now 038 039-4, which has been waiting for it to clear the single track, can start away in fine style up the 1 in 48 gradient towards Lautlingen and Ebingen with its train from Tübingen to Sigmaringen as the sun sets over the Schwäbische Alb on the evening of Thursday 7th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/08, 01. It was not a hardship to be up early to see (and hear!) things like this from the bedroom window of the Fremdenzimmer in which I was staying in the village of Laufen. The morning sun is still low in the sky as Class 50 2-10-0 No. 050 383-9 slogs up the 1 in 48 gradient from Laufen station with a freight train for Sigmaringen from Tübingen on another gorgeous morning, Friday 8th May 1970. Despite the spectacle, various locals go about their business oblivious to the audio visual display!

Germany. 1970/05/08, 02. DB light Pacific of Class 03, No. 003 246-6, gets excited in the south bay platform at Ulm Hbf prior to departing with a semi-fast passenger train to Biberach on the line south to Friedrichshafen, due to leave around 15:10. Friday 8th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/08, 03. DB Light Pacific No. 003 246-6 is about to depart with its semi-fast passenger train to Biberach from Ulm Hbf as a diesel hydraulic of Class 216 arrives with a train from the south alongside. A "Kleinlok" shunter can be seen just beyond the 216, shunting coaches in the sidings adjacent to the station. Friday 8th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/08, 2. Seen across the front of 03 class 4-6-2 No. 003 246-6 is an electric engine of Class E17, No. 117 107-3, which has just arrived at Ulm Hauptbahnhof with a local passenger train from the north, Friday 8th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/09, 1. Bahnbetriebswerk Ulm on Saturday 9th May 1970 was host to a considerable number of steam locos, most of them Class 50 2-10-0s but also the odd Class 03 Pacific. Quite what the vehicle on the far right is I'm not sure!

Germany. 1970/05/09, 2. DB "Crocodile" Co-Co electric of Class E93 No. 193 004-9 passes Ulm's north signalbox with a very short freight train, Saturday 9th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/09, 3. DB "light" Pacific No. 003 246-6 heads out of Ulm alongside the infant River Danube (Donau) with a semi-fast passenger train to Biberach, southwards on the line to Friedrichshafen on Saturday 9th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/09, 4. Developed from the Class 216 and forerunner of Class 218, DB Class 215 diesel-hydraulic Bo-Bo No. 215 046-4 heads south from Ulm alongside the River Danube with a train bound for Friedrichshafen on the afternoon of Saturday 9th May 1970.

Germany. 1970/05/09, 5. Introduced in 1928, ex-DR 1-Do-1 express electric loco of Class E17 No. 117 107-3 potters about at Ulm Hauptbahnhof between duties, now relegated to local passenger turns, Saturday 9th May 1970. 3 of these locos are now preserved.

Germany. 1971/04/04, 1. With a relic of the steam age between them, two electric locos stand at Köln Hbf with their respective trains. In the foreground is Class 110 No. 110 410-8 in the old blue express livery, while beyond is 112 500-4 in the then new red and cream livery. Sunday 4th April 1971.

Germany. 1971/04/04, 2. 110 410-8 has departed with its train, leaving 112 500-4 about to depart, once loading has finished, with its parcels train from Köln Hbf on a very dull Sunday 4th April 1971. The seat in the foreground seems to act as a temporary store for spare tail-lamps!

Germany. 1971/04/04, 3. DB Class 112 Bo-Bo electric No. 112 502-0 is at the head of a southbound express as it passes through Bonn Hbf on a dull Sunday 4th April 1971.

Germany. 1971/04/04, 4. DB Class 141 electric loco No. 141 149-5 with a rake of "silverfish" coaches is in the sidings alongside Koblenz Hbf, seen from a train which has just arrived from Bonn. The loco is carrying the dark olive green livery of freight and mixed traffic engines and has had a small area of paintwork patched-up. Sunday 4th April 1971.

Germany. 1971/04/05, 01. Not all German engines are huge! Bullay's "Kleinlok" (Köf II, later Br 323) shunter heads back to base with four wagons in tow, presumably off the branch from Traben-Trarbach, to be picked up later from the sidings at Bullay. Dwarfed by the wagons, it is crossing the double-deck viaduct over the River Mosel. Monday 5th April 1971.

Germany. 1971/04/05, 02. An unidentified 3 car diesel hydraulic DMU (originally VT24.6, later Br 624.6) crosses the double-deck viaduct over the River Mosel at Bullay, having just started away from the station with a working from Koblenz to Trier on Monday 5th April 1971.

Germany. 1971/04/05, 03. The line along the Mosel valley from Koblenz to Trier was in the process of being electrified and the OHL had reached as far as Cochem by this time. Trains were still in the hands of steam traction, and increasingly, diesel traction, especially on the faster trains. Here, Class 216 diesel hydraulic No. 216 175-0 has just departed from Bullay station and is crossing the river with an "Eilzug" of Silverfish coaches, on its way from Koblenz to Trier. Monday 5th April 1971.

Germany. 1971/04/05, 04. As well as the frequent freight services along the Mosel valley, some of the passenger trains were still steam hauled at this stage. Rebuilt 01 class 4-6-2 No. 001 227-8 is starting away from the station stop at Bullay with a local passenger train, N2542, the 12:40 from Koblenz to Trier, on the bridge over the river, its train comprising "Silverfish" coaches. Bullay station is in the background and wagons can be seen at the lower level which was an interchange with the Moselbahn, by that time closed. This line was planned as a narrow gauge line, but built as standard gauge, starting from Bullay and following the river towards Trier, it had several Mallet engines, and one of its traditions during the wine vintage was to run special trains that stopped at every vineyard to sample the local product! Monday 5th April 1971.

Germany. 1971/04/05, 05. Class 44 2-10-0 No. 044 270-7 is hard at work with a nice clean fire as it heads a mixed freight train across the viaduct over the Mosel at Bullay, en route from Koblenz to Trier, on the afternoon of Monday 5th April 1971.

Germany. 1971/04/05, 06. 2-10-0 No. 044 202-0 hauls a heavy loaded coal train round the curve from Bullay station and on to the viaduct over the River Mosel as it attacks the grade towards Trier . Monday 5th April 1971.

Germany. 1971/04/05, 07. Another passenger train of "Silverfish" coaches has started away from Bullay station behind 2-6-2 No. 023 041-7, working from Koblenz to Trier. Seen from amongst the trees close to the entrance of Prinzenkopf Tunnel, the train makes its way onto the double-deck viaduct over the River Mosel. Monday 5th April 1971.