Prior to West German steam finishing around 1975/1976 to take photographs of locomotives in East Germany would, at the very least, entailed one’s film being ripped out of the camera. However, once steam had gone from the DB the East German authorities, having a proliferation of steam locomotives on the DR (Deutsche Reichbahn), realised the latter would generate much needed foreign currency from enthusiasts from all corners of Western Europe and the UK.
And so it came to pass that myself and some friends made our one and only visit to the DDR (Deutsche Demokratic Republic) ‘workers’ paradise,’ where everyone was equal except for the ‘chosen ones.’ It was a drab, horrible place with barren fields and an unhappy populace, but, and it’s a BIG BUT, despite being forewarned of its frightening security system (Big Brother’s Watching You) operated by the dreaded STASI (East German Secret Police) the ‘lure of steam’ was too hard to resist (East Germany had the most modern Pacific locomotives in Europe). True, we appeared to be followed everywhere we went, but in the main were left to our own devices.
14TH JUNE 1979
STEINACH
1968 1600cc VW Transporter
Our mode of transport: A 1968 1600cc VW Transporter, which I owned for some thirty‑one years. An East German border guard approached what he thought was the driver’s side (left) and the look on his face was something else when he saw that there was no steering wheel in front of him!!!
Photograph by Peter Hands
STEINACH STATION
DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0045
DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0045 on a local passenger.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0045
DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0045 makes a spirited departure.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0016
DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0016 backs into the station with a rake of empty coaching stock.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0016
DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0016 has run round its stock and makes its departure from the now all but deserted station.
Photograph by Peter Hands
15th JUNE 1979
POSSNECK
Between Saalfeld and Gera
DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0529
DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0529 with a Leipzig to Saalfeld express.
Photograph by Peter Hands
SAALFELD MPD AND STATION
DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0525
Left to right: Russian‑built diesel 120 Class No. 120‑049. DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑1689 and DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0525 in the shed yard.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0221
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0221 drifts tender‑first into the goods yard with an oil tanker train.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0567
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0567, in ex. Works condition, takes on water supplies next to the station.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0567
A close‑up of the footplate of DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0567. Note the stencilled ex. Works date: 7.6.79.
Photograph Peter Hands
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0221
There was a quick turn‑around for locos at Saalfeld. DR Class 44‑0567 has moved away from the water column being replaced by DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0221 seen earlier arriving with the oil tankers. In the background, between the two Class 44’s are three stored locomotives two of which being: DR 41 Class 2‑8‑2 No. 41‑1130 and DR 65 Class 2‑6‑4T No. 65‑1049.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR Class 44 No. 44‑0196
With steam issuing from its cylinder cocks DR Class 44 No. 44‑0196 prepares to leave the goods yard with a heavy freight working.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0413
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0413 seen here adjacent to the half‑roundhouse running shed. Rumour had it that Russian soldiers based in and around Saalfeld had to coal the engines by hand as punishment for minor infringements of the discipline code.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR Class 44 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0393
DR Class 44 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0393 reverses into the shed yard. Note the trio of stored engines mentioned earlier.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0529
This a splendid view of Saalfeld and the surrounding hills in the background. Preparing to leave the depot to take up an express duty is DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0529. The turntable in the left of the frame was in constant use.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0005
Looking in the opposite direction we espy DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0005 arriving on the line from Gena with a mixed goods train.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0567
Crossing over the road again and we come across a busy scene. Moving away from the camera is DR 95 Class 2‑10‑2T No. 95‑0005 with its mixed goods whilst approaching the camera from the goods yard is a lengthy freight train heading for Leipzig via Gena with DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0567 in charge.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR Class 01 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0529
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR Class 01 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0529
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR Class 01 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0529
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR Class 01 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0529
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0521
We take our leave of Saalfeld with this excellent shot of DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0521 arriving with an express from Leipzig via Gera.
Photograph by Peter Hands
SCHARZA
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0305
DR 44 Class 2‑10‑0 No. 44‑0305, in an unkempt condition, is entrusted with a passenger train as it leaves the town behind.
Photograph by Peter Hands
ZEUTSCH STATION
The ‘Station Master’s’ house – presumably!
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0534
‘Super‑Power’ as DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0534 disturbs the rustic tranquillity of this wayside station as it arrives at 4.35pm with a train consisting of one passenger coach and an assortment of wagons from the Leipzig direction.
Photograph by Peter Hands
DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0501
Emitting a cloud of oily black smoke DR 01 Class 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0501 accelerates its Saalfeld to Leipzig express away from the station.
Photograph By Peter Hands
DR Class 01 4‑6‑2 No. 01‑0519
The last of the trio of DR Class 01 4‑6‑2’s seen at Zeutsch No. 01‑0519 arrives with an express from Leipzig to Saalfeld consisting of a rake of double‑decker coaches.
Photograph by Peter Hands
