800 million euros for the Harz narrow-gauge railways: future in danger!

800 million euros for the Harz narrow-gauge railways: future in danger!

In the picturesque landscapes of the Harz, the Harz narrow-gauge railways (HSB) continue to run at full steam - but not without hurdles. With a record turnover of 15.5 million euros last year and 1.14 million passengers transported in 2024, the company wants to embark on new tracks of financial stability. But the reality is different: The need for renovation amounts to a whopping 800 million euros, as MDR reports.

District Administrator Thomas Balcerowski from the CDU confirmed the great need for investment, of course without going into detail about reports. If there is no financial support from the federal states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, the existence of the traditional narrow-gauge railways could be seriously endangered. State Infrastructure Minister Lydia Hüskens (FDP) is calling for a comprehensive concept for the financial future of HSB. A step in this direction could be taken with the planned renovations and conversion of the steam locomotives to run on light oil.

A concept for the future

HSB plans to examine what happened in the coming months. The management was commissioned to compile the total investment requirements by the end of September. The renovation of the famous Brocken route will take years and depends crucially on financial support from the federal states. The narrow-gauge railway, which operates the longest continuous narrow-gauge network in Germany at 140 kilometers, is not only an important transport route, but also a tourist attraction.

In the Harz district, the Brockenkuppe has already been taken over in order to further develop it for tourism. A sensible step, as the route to the Brocken was the busiest section with around 507,000 passengers last year. Nevertheless, it should be noted that high cost increases for energy, personnel and vehicles represent a constant challenge for the company, as Bahnblogstelle reports.

Public support needed

Last year, Saxony-Anhalt provided 15 million euros for transport contracts and infrastructure costs; Over eight million euros in support has been promised for 2024 and 2025. But is that enough?Current trendsshow that the federal level plans to invest a total of 166 billion euros in infrastructure by 2029, with the focus on renovating dilapidated railway lines and motorway bridges. Meanwhile, HSB finds itself in a constant balancing act between income and operating costs.

HSB has already taken preventive measures to counteract a possible crisis. A lack of staff is leading to timetable adjustments and restrictions on train services, but a staff meeting is being planned. District Administrator Balcerowski emphasized that there are currently no threats of layoffs, which is positive news for the employees.

Overall, one could say that the Harz narrow-gauge railways are facing an exciting but also challenging time. A concept for future-proof development is urgently needed because the support of the federal and state governments is essential for the preservation of this unique narrow-gauge railway line.