| RASENDER ROLAND - THE ISLE OF RUGEN The Rügensche Bäderbahn (formerly the Rügensche Kleinbahn) is one of two narrow-gauge line on the Baltic coast of Germany. Nicknamed the 'Rasender Roland', the line runs a distance of 26km from Pitbus to Gohren, on the Isle Of Rugen. The line is 750mm gauge and comprises a single track throughout with trains passing at Binz. The line was opened throughout by 1895 but over 100 years later the line was extended a further 2 kilometres down to Lauterbach Mole so that trains could meet ferries arriving at the harbour. This extension was particularly interesting as it was laid inside the standard gauge tracks of the DB and trains are banked up from Lauterbach to Putbus - although this is usually by diesel in order to save money on steam crews. The line was has had a number of owners and operators and from 1949 to 1996 was part of the state railway system. It was then sold to the Rügenschen Kleinbahn GmbH & Co who were the operators at the time the pictures on this page were taken. In 2007 the future of the line was in doubt due to the trading position of the company and in early 2008 the railway became a subsidiary of Pressnitztalbahn Gmbh, and its trading name was changed to Rügensche BäderBahn. Although a major tourist attraction the line remains an integral part of the local transport system and the fare structures reflect this fact. The change of ownership brought about a change of motive power on the line and at the start of 2009 the position was that the line was using two engines a day out of three operational engines, Nos. 99-1782, 99-1784 and 99-4011. Meanwhile Nos. 99-4632 and 99-4633 are waiting for overhauls. Trains face out of Gohren and can usually be photographed two or three times before reaching Putbus without breaking the speed limit or upsetting the locals! |
| The afternoon sun highlights the attractive scene at Sellin station as Vulcan 0-8-0T No.53Mh departs for Putbus. This locomotive was built in 1925. When the line was nationalised the locomotive was renumbered as No.99-4633 but reverted to its original Rügensche Kleinbahn livery. |
| Two engines are normally sufficient to operate the service and throughout my visit in April 2000 the duties were shared between Mh53 and O&K 2-8-0 No.99-783 which is seen here as it hurries along the final section of the line between Posewald and Putbus. |
| Unlike the coaching stock on the Dresden lines, which carry advertising slogans along both sides, in April 2000 the Rugensche line was operating almost exactly as it had done when it was part of the state system. No.53Mh is going well as it begins the steep climb between Serams and Seelvitz on a lovely spring afternoon. |
| Time really does appear to have stood still as O&K No.99-783 brings an afternoon train from Gohren to Pitbus through the countryside between Serams and Seelvitz. Once the preserve of a hardy few overseas photographers, the reunification of Germany has made access to former East Germany simple and straightforward. |
| The largely rural nature of the Isle Of Rugen is well illustrated as No.53Mh trundles through Serams station with an afternoon train to Pitbus |
| The rural theme is further emphasised by the sight of No.99-783 as it climbs up through the woods on the approach to Garftitz |
| One of the joys of photographing steam in foreign countries is the lack of formality and a healthy approach to personal safety ie. take responsibility for yourself. The lack of barriers, bells and fences is striking as No.53 paases through Posewald with its steep uphill climb |
| The steep gradient on certain sections of the line can clearly been seen in this picture of No.99-793 as it climbs the bank between Serams and Seelvitz |
| The sun is rapidly dipping towards the horizon as No.53Mh climbs the bank between Sellin and Garftitz leaving behind a delightful trail of exhaust |
| The far 'chunkier' appearance of O&K No.99-783 is particularly apparant as it crosses the road on the approach to Binz Ost station where it will cross with the other train heading from Pitbus back to Gohren |
| The line is predominantly east-west with trains heading west. This can make morning shots somewhat difficult with backlighting - hence the somwhat dark smokebox of No.53Mh as it approaches Garftitz |
| No.99-783 working an afternoon train through the woods near Baabe, a short distance out of Gohren. By this time of the day the sun is very firmly on the smokebox |
| Some locations are certainly worth spending time at ...... and a little while later No.53Mh is seen at almost the same spot |
| The driver of No.99-783 seems as interested in our presence as we were of his steam locomotive. Almost without exception the crews on these railways have been both friendly and obliging - working hard to ensure we got good shots. |
| No.53Mh comes perilously close to smoking itself out as it brings a morning train into Philippshagen station - the first stop on the journey out of Gohren. |
| O&K No.99-783 standing in the yard at Gohren between train. The small driving wheels mean that these locomotives only have a top speed of some 30-35kph which accounts for the long journey times over the railway. The black and red DR livery suits these locomotives splendidly. |
| With the afternoon light all but disappeared, No.53Mh stands at the head of its train in Gohren station. It is a noticeable feature of this rural railway that there are no raised platforms at the stations with passengers boarding from rail level. |
