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30.01.2026: Winter greetings from the locomotive shed

How time flies! The year 2026 has barely begun, and the first month is already over. So it's high time to write another newsletter. What happened in January?

Like you probably, we were in the icy grip of winter. Unfortunately, it's not possible to get much work done unless you can find a heated room. Fortunately, although our locomotive shed is not frost-free, at least it is draught-free when the doors and gates are closed. So we have literally moved our work indoors. One major project at the moment is the refurbishment of a mobile crane, which we recently received on permanent loan. It has spent the last few weeks outside, but has now been hauled into our workshop. The clutch and brakes need to be replaced and a crane inspection prepared. When the temperatures rise again, it will also be repainted.



The necessary manoeuvring work for this was carried out by a Soviet-made Mts 572 tractor. It was manufactured in Minsk in 1990 and its engine has an output of approx. 60 hp. A colleague kindly stationed it in Wittenberge for our internal transport needs.



Many people are probably wondering what we intend to do with a mobile crane. Well, the answer is already standing in front of our locomotive shed. In the medium term, our replacement boiler is to be rebuilt onto a steam locomotive.



We'll keep that a secret for now which of our steam engines will be treated. In any case, before a new boiler can be installed on a locomotive, the old boiler and the driver's cab must first be removed. The latter covers the rear end of a locomotive boiler. In addition, various components have to be removed from a steam locomotive before a boiler can be lifted off. To manage expectations here as well: the whole process will not be completed within a few weeks, but will take a considerably longer period of time.

Our V100 series diesel locomotive is also still in progress. There is still some work to be done here. In particular, the tanks and fuel lines still need to be flushed and the fuel filters replaced, because the old fuel in the tanks is unfortunately decomposing faster than expected due to its biological components and is clogging everything in its path.



The interior work on our carriage 197 805 is also slowly progressing. The ceiling lighting, wall panelling and decorative mouldings, as well as the window frames, have been installed and painted. The upper half of the passenger compartments already looks like new again.



In mid-January, we also took a little break. Traditionally, we get together for our New Year's party (instead of a Christmas party). Many members enjoyed the lovely buffet. Many thanks again to everyone who helped with the cooking and baking. We also had the opportunity to reminisce about the past with videos and photos.





On the same day, we had another opportunity to take a look at our new track access. Work is currently progressing on the electric point motors and signals.


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