The Harz narrow-gauge railways constitute the largest network of its kind in Germany, spanning over 140 kilometers.
Many steam locomotives currently in service on the line were manufactured by the VEB Lokomotivbau Karl Marx in Babelsberg between 1954 and 1956.
The Brocken line, departing from this network, is the only German narrow-gauge railway that regularly reaches an altitude of 1,125 meters above sea level.
The HSB maintains a fleet of 25 steam locomotives, making it one of the largest operators of steam traction in the world.
The original Wernigerode station buildings include a roundhouse and a turntable that remain in active use for servicing steam engines.
Railway operations on the line continued through the Cold War period, serving as one of the few transit corridors between East and West Germany in the Harz region.
The network is powered primarily by coal-fired steam engines, requiring significant daily logistics for water and coal refueling.
The Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB) Bahnhof Wernigerode serves as a central hub for a historic narrow-gauge steam railway network in the Harz Mountains. The station operates as the starting point for the Harzquerbahn, which connects Wernigerode to Eisfelder Talmühle and eventually the Brocken summit. It features a preserved 19th-century terminal aesthetic with active locomotive workshops and maintenance facilities. The network utilizes original steam locomotives, some dating back over a century, which pull vintage wooden passenger carriages. Visitors can observe the daily operational logistics of coal-loading and engine preparation on the station tracks. The facility functions as both a working transport utility and a living museum of industrial heritage. Rail infrastructure at the site includes specific track gauges of 1,000 mm, typical of the regional Harz railway system.
The pedestrian bridge overlooking the maintenance depot provides a comprehensive view of the turntable and steam engine staging area.
Arrive early before your scheduled departure to watch the locomotives being prepared and coupled at the platform.
Sit in the open-air observation carriages for an unobstructed view of the Harz mountain forest scenery.
Check the locomotive roster boards at the station entrance to see which specific steam engine is assigned to your train.
Do not wait until the last minute to board; steam train boarding procedures are slower than modern regional trains.
Operations run year-round, though train frequency varies significantly between summer and winter seasons.
Avoid standing too close to the edge of the platform when steam locomotives are entering or maneuvering.
