Gmuend and the lines north
This is the preview page, showing the northern lines of the "Wood Quarter" narrow gauge railroad. The line starts in Gmuend. Behind Alt Nagelberg it divides in two branches - one to Litschau and a second one to Heidenreichstein. A separate page will present the southern branch to Gross Gerungs. All my photographs were taken during special events, because the regular operation was finished several years ago. This gallery also presents some impressions from Gmuend as to be a home of different locos.

All various types of locos which I met here during my visits will be shown. The above type is the 2091.07 gleaming in deep Velvia red. In 2000 one celebrated the 100 years anniversary of the line. I attached some photos of this event to the gallery too.
The line between Altnagelberg and Heidenreichstein today is operated by a club called WSV. The question about the mid to long term future of the line, I can not answer ...
 

This photograph of the 298.207 I shot during my first photo visit in Gmuend about mid of the 80s. At that time she was
still in regular operation. But unfortunately I could not catch
a day with her in action. Some few month later she was out
of order because of reaching the boiler limit date.

Click on the photographs to enlarge!

  Every new day starts with a new loco preparation. Starting up the fire, filling up coal and water resources and the lubrification of the driving unit has to be done. After executing these tasks, the machinists are ready for the trip. The green body in the background belongs to a snow plow waggon.
  
 

Mid of the 80s of last century it was still usual to prepare more than one loco in the morning. Here the 399.04 and the 399.03 in the background are under preparation.

The weather is foggy this day. (up)

  
  The small loco 2092.04 and some 4 axle passenger coach.
They are rather unusual at the Wood Quarter. Usual are the short 2 axle cars which you may recognize on most of my Photographs.
  
  Narrow gauge parade in Gmuend. In the foreground the 298.207 - next a class 399 - then a Railcar class 5090 and finally one may recognize a class 2091. At the left with the steps the 2095.12 and behind a class 2092.
 
  The 2091.02 is used as a loco for train operation and for shifting. The image shows a three colour painting. (up)  
  In the background at the right the narrow gauge loco house of Gmuend. A class 2095 is visible at the entrance. At the siding the 2095.14 - then a class 2092 and a class 399 - finally some freight cars and at the end the 298.207, which was parked here for several years.  
  The 2095.007 (the James Bond loco of that class) presents special decoration on that 1st of May. A special train from Vienna headed by the 310.23 had carried the guests to Gmuend.  
  The standard track loco house of Gmuend. The overhead line which was installed mid of the 90s ends at the doors. Just locos with petrol engine may go in by own force. (up)  
  Further vehicles one could meet here were small staff locos for track maintenance like the yellow one in the background. At the right is shown a standard gauge freight car carried by an "adapter" waggon for use on the narrow gauge tracks.  
  This shows the loading zone for standard freight cars on narrow gauge "adapters". The yellow clutching poles enable the right distance between adjacent units. All supplies may be connected via the poles.  
  In the background the narrow gauge loco house of Gmuend plus some vehicles. In the foreground the loading zone. One may recognize, the different levels between the standard and the narrow gauge tracks. (up)  
  The north branches rather cross' some flatter scenery. Heavy mountain ramps don't exist here.  
  From some distance the trains look like Gulliver's toys.  
  Behind Neunagelberg the line passes some fishing waters as they are typical for the region. The ducks don't worry about the special train. But the car drivers fight some hard competition, who of them will bring home the best video film of the event. (up)  
  Short stop in Neunagelberg. The station building is visible in the background. The train consisting of 9 two axle cars will not bring the 399.03 to the limits.  
  This photograph I took on a wonderful day in summer 1999. The 399.04 on her way to Alt Nagelberg and later on to Litschau. Some of the following photos also were shot that beautiful day.
Later in 1999 - in October I started with this Internet site.		  
  The same train at the stop in Alt Nagelberg. I used my shortest wide angle lens. If the camera is not hold totally horizontally, some distortions like visible on the loco front may appear. (up)  
  Behind Alt Nagelberg the line has for about two kilometers two tracks. For this distance both branches to Litschau and to Heidenreichstein run in parallel then they diverge.  
  Close to Gopprechts, this scenic view may be observed. In a few moments the train will cross the road and then start the final 7 kilometers until Litschau.
  
  This Photo conveys a bit the specific character of the Wood Quarter region. Because of the harvested situation, I assume season to be August or September. (up)  
 

I'm not totally sure, that this Image belongs to the northern branches. I took it, because of the fine visibility and rich details of the 399 front under perfect sunlight conditions.

By the way, the 399 is a hot steam high pressure engine. You may recognize two same sized rather small cylinders.

  
  On July 8th and 9th 2000 the line celebrated the 100 years anniversary. Unfortunately the weather was rather bad. Exactly when both trains to Heidenreichstein and Litschau departed it started raining heavily.
The left train headed by the 170.1 belongs to the WSV club.		  
  For the celebration the 298.56 - a loco originally built for the wood quarter lines - was transferred to Gmuend again. The photo shows the composition in Altnagelberg. Today the loco belongs to the Club 760 with railroad activities in Styria. (up)  
  The 2091.03 took over the shuttle service between Alt Nagelberg and Heidenreichstein. Owner of this engine is the Club 760 too.  
  The final destination Litschau is reached. The guests are leaving the train and some try to assimilate a bit of the steam atmosphere. Some fast food stands on the other end of the Station building took care for eating and drinking.  
  In addition to the historical trains, a historical bus was in operation this days. I assume the bus to be from the 60s. The front window to open and the feelers attached at the wings are attributes not daily seen today. (up)  
  Finally two really historical Photographs, telling stories from long time ago blissful days. At that time it seems the mixed composition called GmP was typical. The shown train consists of packing car, coaches, freight cars and by using adapters standard gauge freight cars. Loco is the 299.01 Photo: A. Luft 1957  
  The same loco heading another GmP in Litschau. The type 299 is of the same basic construction like the 399, but double steam expansion is used. One may recognize on the loco's right side the small high pressure cylinder and on the other side a larger low pressure one. Photo: Fröhlich 1960  
Both B+W photographs from the issue No. 52 of "Bahn im Bild" - published by Verlag Pospischil Vienna
Navigation: Rail world select - Wood Quarter Line: southern branch
Last Update: August 2002 - send me an email
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