Hi Guys,
The Weisseritztalbahn, a 41km, steam-powered, 760mm gauge line in Germany reopened a 15km portion of its mainline between Freital-Hainsberg and Dippoldiswalde on 12-13-08.
The 125 year-old narrow gauge line, was seriously damaged by disasterous flooding during August of 2002. When the damage was tallied, 24 bridges (some major) and 60 other roadbed-supporting structures were either badly damaged or totally obliterated. By far, the most badly-damaged portions of the line were between Freital (the standard gauge connection) and Dippoldiswalde. Since that time, service on only two disconnected sections has been possible. For a time, it was uncertain whether the line would be reinstated. Now with Government assistance, a significant portion of the line is back in action. The remaining section of line between Dippoldiswalde and Kurort-Kipsdorf is due to reopen in 2010.
A nice YouTube video of one of the opening day trains arriving at Malter station and headed by two of the line's massive 2-10-2T locomotives can be found at the attached link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkhtvl4LOnUEnjoy!
Glenn
