Narrow Gauge German Steam: the Harz System

The most famous and active narrow gauge steam train system in the world, is the beautiful Harz mountains system in Germany, the Harz Railway (Harz schmalspurbahnen).

The trains carry the most number of tourists from around the world and also serves as a community system linking various mountain communities.  It was built before the splitting of Germany into two, and today, serves as a most scenic and interesting system for locals and for tourists.

 

 

 

Southern 630, USA – October 8, 2011

Southern 630 pulls an excursion for the Tennessee Valley Rail Museum on Oct. 8, 2011 through Georgia. Photo courtesy of John Higginson at Railpictures.net

CHASING the SP 4449 !!! July 2011

Photo by Steven M. Welch at Rail pictures.net

On July 2 -3, 2011, the Southern Pacific 4449 pulled trains from Portland, Oregon to Wishram, Washington.

This is a great video of “Chasing” the locomotive on its trip.  The Photographer rides to shoot the video, while the famous steam chasing driver “Rich” shows his skills at providing ample and exciting distance and speed in order to capture the beauty and power of steam and the environs.

Video is posted by gregudolph.

The SP 4449 was called “The Most Beautiful Locomotive in the World” at the Height of Steam train popularity in the 1940s and 50s.  It is now housed, along with one of my all-time favorite steam locomotives of the US, the SP&S (Spokane, Portland & Seattle) 700.