| There were still some odd pockets of steam operation left in western Germany in 1976 and 1977 in addition to the Emsland main line. Two sheds in the Ruhr hung on until virtually the end.
Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck had an allocation of coal fired class 044 three cylinder 2-10-0s, which were still finding some work around the pits and steel works which were still functioning in those days. Like Rheine visitors were welcomed, and all that was needed was to sign in at reception and pay a small insurance fee. Steam sheds in Germany never quite descended to the levels of decay which we had seen in the last days in Great Britain. Maintenance of both locomotives and plant was high right until the very end. This collection also includes a solitary image of class 051 light 2-10-0 taken at Duisburg-Wedau. This was my first real understanding of the German Friday, when everything shuts up at midday. The place was totally deserted and as I approached the turntable area I was waiting for the challenge from a member of the Bahnpolizei or some such but none ever came. I really cannot imagine that today we would be able to get the level of access we had in those days to take the kind of images offered here. Apart from the image at Duisburg all of this collection was taken perfectly legally with the full permission of the DB authorities. Great and happy days indeed! |
I have included this shot because it is the only one I ever got of a class 044 which had not had the sloped footplating removed at the front end. 044-067 was believed to be withdrawn when seen at Gelsenkirchen Bismarck on 13 August 1976 900x585 DB_044-067-7_13-8-76.jpg |
044-177 was looking ex-works in this view at Gelsenkirchen Bismarck on 13 August 1976. These three cylinder 2-10-0s were known as Jumbos by the German fans, and justified their name, as they were well capable of hauling 2000 ton trains at speed over long distances 900x590 DB_044-177-4_13-8-76.jpg |
Storm clouds are brewing up behind 044-377 on the turntable at Gelsenkirchen Bismarck on 15 April 1977 900x571 DB_044-377-0_15-4-77.jpg |
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044-424 enters the coaling and fire-drop area at Gelsenkirchen Bismarck on 15 April 1977. The notices warn of the danger of the ash pit and forbid lcoc crew from attempoting to decend form the cab on that side 760x900 DB_044-424-0_15-4-77_a.jpg |
Coaled up and fire dropped, 044-424 moved on to the turntable ready to be stabled at Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck on 15 April 1977 900x588 DB_044-424-0_15-4-77_b.jpg |
Jumbo 044-472 being serviced at Gelsenkirchen Bismarck on 13 August 1976 900x576 DB_044-472-0_13-8-76.jpg |
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044-650 running light under the wires and seen from Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck on 15 April 1977 900x591 DB_044-650-0_15-4-77.jpg |
Two Jumbos including 044-754 stabled at Gelsenkirchen Bismarck on 13 August 1976 900x576 DB_044-754-0_13-8-76.jpg |
The first of the class 50 light 2-10-0s appeared towards the end of the 1930's and production continued with more than 2000 examples until the appearance of the austerity class 52 later on during the war years. 051-696 had been renumbered from 50-1696 in the 1968 scheme, and was seen here laid up at Duisburg-Wedau for the long German weekend on 13 August 1976 900x576 DB_051-696-2_13-8-76.jpg |
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A study in front ends of two of the mighty 044 class at Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck on 13 August 1976 900x795 DB_FrontEnds_13-8-76.jpg |
