Steam Friends Association Brienz Rothorn Bahn
The Brienz Rothorn Bahn Steam Friends Association is committed to ensuring that the wonderful steam operation continues despite many adversities and the requirements of today’s railway regulations. The railway should be preserved, maintained and flourish as a relic of times long past. It is important to the patrons’ association that the original steam railway with its beautiful locomotives does not disappear into a museum, but can be shown in daily use in summer. The fact that long-forgotten professions such as the stoker are also needed is only mentioned in passing. The challenges are great, but united and with a lot of good will and even more emotion, the patrons have been granted some real moments of happiness in recent years.
Foundation of the association in 1991
The patrons’ association was founded in 1991 by Ernst Streule to promote and maintain steam operation. To achieve this aim, the association supports the costly renovation of the steam locomotives, important refurbishments on the line, infrastructure projects, organises collections and supports advertising measures. The association forms an important basis for the railway’s five-monthly steam operation and regular use of historic rolling stock.
Renewal of railway track
Work has been completed
Since the end of the season, planning and preparatory work for the urgent renewal of the section of track above the Härdtunnel has been running at full speed. At the beginning of the 1990s, the 700 metres of track were repaired with second-hand material for cost reasons. Today, a good 30 years later, complete renewal is unavoidable as the racks and rails are showing major signs of wear. In order to avoid imminent damage to the locomotives, the affected section of track does not have to be replaced by 2050 as originally planned, but by the start of the 2024 season.
Renewed infrastructure
Construction work completed
After more than 50 years of intensive use, there was an urgent need for action to renovate the building complex at the valley station – including the workshop, the depot with machine hall and the carriage shed. Work has been in full swing since last December. As a first step, the machine hall and workshop were cleared out so that the construction work could start on schedule at the beginning of the year. The old ladies of cast iron and steel have found their temporary home in the coach house. Once again, everyone involved is working hard to ensure that the season up to the Rothorn can open on schedule on 8 June.
History
The patrons of the Friends of the Brienz Rothorn Steam Railway Association have contributed understandingly, generously and faithfully time and again to ensuring that the steam cogwheel railway is what it was and hopefully will continue to be for a long time to come: A unique cultural asset and a fascinating experience!
Thanks to donations from patrons, contributions have been made to the following since 1991:
– The overhaul of locomotive 6
– The renewal of the smoke extraction system
– The overhaul/maintenance of the old steam locomotives
– The renewal of locomotive 6 and the B11 trailer
– The boiler renewal of locomotive 5
– The boiler renewal of locomotive 2 (1st instalment)
– The reprint of the BRB book ‘History and stories about the oldest steam rack railway in Switzerland’
– The enormous loss of earnings caused by the devastating storm in August 2005
– The renovation of the Wellenberg Bridge and its 4,570 rivets
– The renovation of the Schonegg tunnel
– The first stage (450 metres) of the overall renovation of the railway line as part of ‘Aktion 5 S’
– The second stage of the overall renovation of the railway line as part of ‘Aktion 5 S’ (Geldried – Härdtunnel)
– The replacement of the coal feeding and slag removal system
– The purchase of two points for the Oberstafel junction
– The renovation of the Schonegg Gallery
– Overhaul of the 80-year-old steam locomotive no. 6 and carriages B16 and B26
– Work on the new Planalp middle station
– Repairing the storm damage in July
– Complete renovation of the longest section to date (930 metres) Planalp – Mittlerer Stafel
– Renovation of passenger carriages B5 and B12
– The overhaul of locomotive 12
– Start of the renovation work on the uppermost section of track
– Installation of the new entrance switch on Rothorn Kulm
– Completion of the renovation work on the uppermost section of the route
– Conclusion ‘Action 5 S’
– Chüemad and Schonegg tunnel renovations
– Retaining wall with culvert at Blattmad
– Renovation of the ‘High Wall’
– Slope stabilisation Dirrengrind
Preserving tradition together
Your support for the Brienz Rothorn Bahn
Your donation will enable future generations to enjoy the unique experience of a steam railway ride up the Brienzer Rothorn. The aim is to ensure that the railway is preserved, maintained and flourishes as a relic of times long past. It is important to the patrons’ association that the original steam railway with its beautiful locomotives does not disappear into a museum, but can be shown in daily operation in summer.
