Information about the steam train (english)

OUR THEMED WORLDS Find

OUR THEMED WORLDS Find out more: Travel time & narrow gauge worlds Experience more: Fun & exciting events Discover more: Steam & technological wonders Fantastic summit experience: “Faust – The Rock Opera on the Brocken” Climb aboard and experience the Harz at a more leisurely pace: with the steam railway of course! In the heart of the Harz’ varied and picturesque landscape, our trains cross Germany’s most northerly low mountain range at a maximum speed of 30 km/h, taking in striking locations and towns, the highest peak and interesting people. There is so much to discover and enjoy along the romantic routes every day and in every season, with all the flair of a bygone age and far away from busy roads. Just take a look at our timetable and off you go! It’s time to give stress and your car a break. • Daily scheduled railway travel on a 140.4 km route network • Excellently-equipped information and ticket centres at various stations and in the “Dampfladen” shops in Wernigerode and at Nordhausen Nord station • Wide range of souvenirs with countless items related to the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways • Excellent advice in our ticket offices and customer service Experience the Harz in unforgettable style on an all-inclusive or exclusive travel program. Whether it is your first trip to the Harz or you are a regular visitor, the people here have something up their sleeves for every visitor – from interesting specials to popular old favourites. The unique spectacle “Faust – The Rock Opera on the Brocken” with its unmistakeable atmosphere is absolutely unmissable. And what fan of old railways would want to miss out on a ride on the fine traditional HSB train – pulled by the truly historic Mallet locomotives from 1897. Our many special themed trains are especially popular among families and groups. Those who prefer the individual touch can charter their own train or individual carriages for any occasion. Almost any train-related wish can be made to come true with our special packages. • Regular traditional trains to the Brocken with additional services • Special themed trains across the entire route network • Chartering or entire trains or individual carriages • All-inclusive programs with accommodation and additional services • The experience: “Faust – The Rock Opera on the Brocken” (parts 1 & 2) Discover the world of steam railways in the rail workshop and in the driver’s cab of the locomotives. The Harz is almost the only place left in the world where you can see 25 steam locomotives in one place and on one railway – up to ten of them active in passenger transport at any one time! As they go about their daily business, our well-cared-for veterans represent more than a century of history in German locomotive construction: from the Mallet articulated locomotive of 1897 to Europe’s strongest and heaviest narrow gauge steam locomotives from 1955 and 1956. We also throw open the doors of our railway workshop and offer a peek behind the scenes of steam operation for all rail fans and those interested in technology. Building on this, we make what must be the dream of many a child come true: taking a look over the engine driver’s shoulder during the journey! And the high point of it all: the chance to train as an “amateur engine driver” in a special course. • Tours of the rail depot in Wernigerode • Rides in the driver’s cab on the steam locomotives • Steam engine taster courses (3 days) • Amateur engine driver courses (13 days) • “Steam days” in the Selketal valley “Faust – The Rock Opera on the Brocken”: A truly fantastic, unique and unequalled summit experience! Arguably the bestknown classic of world literature, written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, performed where the original action takes place on Northern Germany’s highest summit and embedded in a rockbased package that begins even with the journey to the theatre on the steampowered “Mephisto-Express”. Witches and devils haunt the train and get the passengers in “a hell” of a mood for the stage spectacular. Although the performance at Germany’s highest theatre location, the Goethe-Saal on the Brocken, follows the original text by the famous poet, this interpretation of the masterpiece is the only one of its kind in the world: classic theatre combined with modern rock music and soft ballads! The harmonious compositions are reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s – the golden age of cult bands like Queen, Kiss, The Who, Eric Clapton and even Steppenwolf. The scenery, the costumes, the masks, the props and the fascinating music are all perfectly coordinated and illustrated by plenty of pyrotechnic effects. Top-class theatre that feels like a modern rock concert! And visitors will certainly not go hungry either. As well as a range of drinks and snacks available in the bar carriage of the “Mephisto- Express”, a devilishly good “Mephisto meal” from the Brockenwirt restaurant is served during the interval. The first part of “Faust – The Rock Opera on the Brocken” premiered in February 2006 and has been performed ever since. The second part of the format – the interpretation of Goethe’s “Faust II” – was added spring 2010. A fantastic and extremely successfully summit experience: by the end of 2014, more than 50,000 people had seen the more than 200 almost sold-out performances! Both parts of “Faust – The Rock Opera on the Brocken” are organised by the HSB with support from Manthey Event GmbH, the Brockenwirt restaurant and Radio SAW.