PROPOSAL TO DOUBLE SUBSIDIES COULD EASE HARZ FINANCIAL PLIGHT

Germany’s under-pressure Harz railways could be thrown a financial lifeline, if plans for an increase in subsidy come off.

Discussions are under way that could lead to a doubling of the money provided by the local authorities that own the metre-gauge steam system, as part of a package that would also bring extra money from the regional states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The states have signalled their willingness to up their contributions – if local politicians agree to do the same.

Despite inflation, the local subsidy given to the now 87-mile network centred on Wernigerode has remained constant since 1994. That was the first full year the railway was worked by the current communally-owned Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB), which took over operation from the state owned Deutsche Reichsbahn in 1993.

In recent times, the HSB has increasingly struggled to recruit staff, and has suffered from a shortage of locomotives – which has led to dieselisation of previously steam diagrams. This year, the previously allsteam timetable to the Brocken mountain has been changed to include diesel-hauled trains, while the traditional ThursdaysSaturdays second steam diagram on the Selketal line is a railcar. Other more ad hoc diesel working has also taken place (SR493).

While the HSB’s current financial requirement is close to €11m (£10m) – of which 50%-60% is generated by the railway – this is expected to rise to €15m. Aside from regional subsidies provided by SaxonyAnhalt and Thuringia, the nine local authorities contribute around €70,000 each year. Under the proposals, this is expected to rise to around €1.5m. If authorised, part of the increase is expected to go towards higher wages.