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Cottbus' oldest locomotive: major repair for a historical monument!
The oldest locomotive on the Cottbus Park Railway is being repaired with 140,000 euros from state monument protection. Insight into their history.
Cottbus' oldest locomotive: major repair for a historical monument!
In the next few months, the oldest locomotive on the park railway in Cottbus, locomotive 99 0001, will undergo thorough repairs. The state of Brandenburg is spending 140,000 euros on repairs to ensure that this technical monument remains operational. The funds come from the state's monument protection program and are a sign of the value that the region attaches to its historic railway. After all, the locomotive was built in 1918 and was the first locomotive in the then newly founded pioneer railway system in Cottbus in 1954, which arose from the idea of offering children a fascinating experience n-tv.de reported.
The locomotive has been in use with few interruptions since it was put into service. According to German regulations, extensive major repairs are required every nine years. During the last inspection, problems arose primarily with the wheel and rod bearings as well as the coupling and connecting rods, making a comprehensive repair program necessary. This work is to be carried out in Zamberk, Czech Republic. Overall, the repair costs are estimated at around 450,000 euros.
A look into history
The Cottbus Park Railway has an eventful history, which began as early as 1952 with the planning of the construction project. A year later, the working group of young railway workers was founded, and in the summer of 1954 the route was prepared for the first journeys. With a track width of 600 millimeters, the first trains were able to run from the “Freundschaft” station to the park in front of Children’s Day – a successful start!
The first trains consisted of a 36-year-old army field locomotive and several open passenger cars. The popularity of the park railway has steadily increased over the years, and so the route to the “Friedenseiche” restaurant was further expanded. Until 1992, the railway was managed by Bodo Kopetzki, who played an important role in the development and maintenance of the park railway, as Wikipedia notes.
Future and further development
Today, steam and diesel locomotives run on the 3.2 kilometer long circuit of the park railway. In addition to the technical maintenance of the locomotive, there are also plans to extend the route to the Cottbus Baltic Sea by 2030. Such projects show that the desire to continue to live the charm of the historic railway is very important. The park railway is not only a popular excursion destination, but also an important part of local history and culture.
The upcoming repair of locomotive 99 0001 will ensure that future generations can ride along to their hearts' content. The commitment of those responsible and the support from the state show that the Cottbus Park Railway will continue to be an important attraction that attracts numerous visitors.