Harz steam loco gets stuck in snow!

A GERMAN steam train became stuck in snow 3,675ft up a mountain on January 8 – a very rare and unusual occurrence.

Harzer Schmalspurbahnen’s 10.25 from Wernigerode to Brocken, hauled by 2-10-2T No. 99 234 (99 7234) with five carriages, became marooned at the summit station as the weather deteriorated rapidly when snow storms struck.

In freezing conditions, staff defrost and dismantle chassis parts on loco No. 99 7234 in order to be able to move the loco back to the workshops in Wernigerode and thaw it out. KLAUS-DIETMAR GABBERT/DPA/PA IMAGES

As the freezing snow descended, drifts reached the top of the carriages and the loco was unable to run round its train. Snow and ice ingress had also affected the motion making the loco impossible to move.

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Sam Hewitt

Digital Content Editor at Mortons Media Group Ltd.

Sam Hewitt is the Digital Editor of The Railway Hub.

Email: shewitt@mortons.co.uk