The Harz Railway: By Steam Train to the Brocken
One of the most interesting rail tourism destinations in Germany is the narrow-gauge Harz Railway, particularly the line to the summit of the Brocken mountain, which is operated by a steam train.
In this short guide, I will show you what the experience is like travelling on this steam train to this unique destination, and I will also tell you more about the Harz Railway itself.
Steam train climbing up to the Brocken. ©AndyBTravels
About the Harz Railway
The Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB, Harz Narrow Gauge Railways) is a private railway company that operates a 140.4 km (87.2 miles) network of metre-gauge railways around the Harz Mountains in eastern Germany.
This narrow-gauge railway network can be accessed from three different cities: Quedlinburg, Nordhausen, and Wernigerode.
The most popular railway line of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways among tourists is the one heading up the Brocken, a 1,141 m (3,743 ft) mountain that towers above the surrounding countryside.
Although this particular branch line, from the junction at Drei Annen Hohne up to the Brocken, is essentially a tourist railway, it is worth noting that much of the rest of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway is also used as an everyday means of transport by people living in the villages and towns in this region.
Brocken
From both Nordhausen and Wernigerode, frequent trains depart to the top of the Brocken, which is a highly scenic ride and one of Germany’s rail travel highlights.
In the video below, you can get an impression of what it is like to travel by steam train to the top of the Brocken!
Rolling stock
The Harz Narrow Gauge Railway has a fleet of various steam locomotives, which are usually used on services from Nordhausen and Wernigerode to the Brocken.
It is also not uncommon to see them on other routes across the network.
However, it can happen that a particular service is replaced by a diesel locomotive.
Train services, including those on the line to the Brocken, are fairly frequent, so if catching a steam locomotive is important to you, you can always wait for the next train.
Some of the more local services on the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway, which are of less interest to the average tourist, are operated by diesel railcars.
Steam train and diesel railcar of the Harz Railway. ©AndyBTravels
Buying tickets
You can buy tickets for the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway on their official website or at the station on the day of travel.
The trains all have unreserved seating, so tickets cannot sell out.
Most of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway network is covered by the Deutschland-Ticket, with the exception of the branch line to the Brocken (Drei Annen Hohne to Brocken), which requires a standard ticket.
Interrail and Eurail passes are not accepted on the entire network.
To reach the starting point for the steam train up to the Brocken at either Nordhausen or Wernigerode, check Omio for the best train tickets from anywhere in Germany or elsewhere in Europe.
Both Nordhausen and Wernigerode are on the main German railway network and can be easily reached by train from nearby cities in the German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, or from further afield.
Conclusion
Taking the steam train up the Brocken, a mountain towering above the surrounding area, is one of Germany’s best rail travel adventures.
This railway line is part of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway network, which is well worth exploring in its entirety.
