Steam lasted late on the West German Bundesbahn, mainly in the north and around Stuttgart. This film starts on the ‘Rollbahn’ - the main line from Bremen to Osnabrück and Hamburg, with many expresses hauled by Pacifics of Classes 01, 01.10 and 03, plus freight hauled by class 41 Mikados, and Class 44 & 50 2-10-0s.
The action then moves to the lines from Paderborn to Altenbeken, Ottbergen and Herzberg; rather more freight, but Class 23 2-6-2s are seen on passenger workings, and 2-10-0s of classes 44 and 50 are seen working very hard through attractive scenery.
On the lines around Horb, near Stuttgart, class 50 2-10-0s and class 78 4-6-4Ts were still very active on freight and passenger trains.
The film finishes on the international line from Oldenzaal in Holland to Bentheim, and on the ‘Emslandstrecke’ with freight in the hands of class 41 Mikados and the ubiquitous 2-10-0s. Even this late in the steam-era, Bundesbahn steam was well maintained and clean, and had a certain style and sound, as can be seen and heard in this excellent film.
Extras: Five maps and 32 photographs in PDF format will be found on the disk for viewing on your computer.
B & W and Colour • Stereo Sound
Produced by - Ton Pruissen / Camden
Running time - 51 Minutes
B & W and Colour
DVD only
Released - 2015
