[Germany] Wutachtalbahn -"Sauschwänzlebahn" = "Pigtail Railway"

I discovered this Museumsbahn last year (2015), and now rate it as my favourite (notwithstanding the ex-DDR Narrow Gauge lines, which are in a different category).


It is difficult to find, being in the south-west corner of Germany, directly on the Swiss border, there being no large cities close by - the nearest town of note is Donaueschingen (source of the Danube).


The website, with English version, is fairly self-explanatory:


Website


Unlike the (frustrating) rest of the German preserved railways (Sundays only), trains run from Wednesday afternoon until Sunday, from May to October, with a morning and afternoon out-and-back from Blumberg-Zollhaus to Weizen, both of which are difficult to find on the map. The "out" run, from Blumberg-Z to Weizen is downhill all the way, and the loco runs tender/bunker-first. Needless-to-say, the return is a constant climb at 1:100. The line was built in the late 19th Century as part of a pact between France and the state of Baden-Würtemberg, specifically for military trains. Part of Switzerland penetrates what would be the direct route, and the Swiss would not allow the passage of military trains, so the line was built to by-pass CH, but this involved crossing a steep range of hills - hence the various "wiggles".


The depot is half way down the line, at Fützen (not to be confused with "futsen" - the passing of bodily wind - "die Fahrt" = "the journey", just to avoid confusion), and there is therefore the addition of a light-engine (Lz) movement at the start and end of the day, as the coaching-stock is kept at Blumberg-Z. There is an additional set at Fützen, and on special occasions (next one 26 - 27 September 2016) the empty stock (Lrz) is taken up to Blumberg-Z, giving an additional uphill photo opportunity, and a more intensive timetable, with crossings at Fützen.


A car is essential in order to make the most of the photo-opportunities, and without too much stress the uphill train can be photted at a main road crossing, with flagman, followed by three tunnel mouths, a station departure (Fützen) and two impressive huge steel viaducts in one go! There is a convenient network of minor agricultural roads - avoid the main B314, which passes through the area. An unusual feature of the line is the 360° tunnel at Grimmelshofen.


The line is owned by the town of Blumberg, and this has caused a little friction amongst loco owners. The main motive power was the ex-Crailsheim 50 2988 (052 988-3), 2-10-0, but the group was expelled when the town purchased the unique 2-8-2T No. BB 262, built in 1954 for the Frankfurt - Königstein Railway, utilising all of the features of the DB new-build locos (Class 23, 65 etc, eg no boiler lagging!.). The 50 is currently back on the line, and will be used in the festivities on 26 - 27 September, before returning to the museum at Heilbronn. The ex-DR (Bw Aue) 86 1333 (2-8-2T) has also been used, and may return.


Taking advantage of the 4½-day service on the Sauschwänzlebahn, a Sunday visit to the Dreiseenbahn: (3-Lakes Railway) from Titisee to Seebrugg, a mere 50km away, can also be fitted-in. They currently use the ex-Bw Karl-Marx-Stadt 50 2740.



This Youtube drone video, taken on 23 July 2016, gives a good impression of the Sauschwänzlebahn. I'm on the footplate of the tank loco!



Feel free to PM me if you are contemplating a visit.


Here's a quick selection of fots from July 2016:

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