Mallets In The Harz

May 2022 sees the withdrawal from service of the Harzer Schalmspurbahnen's last operational Mallet locomotive, number 99 5906, built in 1918. A youngster compared to the other Mallets seen in this video,
99 5901 and 99 5902 which were built in 1897. 99 5906 will work a number of special trains this month prior to going on display as a static exhibit at Hasselfelde. It is hoped to have either 99 5901 or 99 5902 restored in time for the 125th. anniversary celebrations of the Brockenbahn and Harzquerbahn in 2024.
The video includes scenes of the three Mallets working special trains between 2015 and 2018 on the Harzquerbahn and Brockenbahn

[@EMuksteam]

Brilliant video Austin. Lovely to see those unusual looking locos. Nice performance by them. Kind regards C&A

[@acw71000]

Thanks very much. The Mallets were great to see and I've been fortunate to capture so many shots of them in action

[@TheWesternExplorer]

Superb footage Austin. Stunning locations. Very enjoyable. Regards, Dave.

[@acw71000]

Thanks Dave, I've missed going to the Harz the last few years, hoping to get back there next year

[@rjas365]

An excellent compilation on a delightful theme, Austin. What a superb whistle in the opening sequence! All thoroughly atmospheric but especially in the wooded areas, none more so than at 06:02 - I'm guessing that is one of the earliest shots. Kind regards, Bob

[@acw71000]

Thanks Bob and sadly the Mallets will not be heard in the Harz for a while. A lot of the trees in the videos have now gone thanks to an infestation of a beetle which has a liking for the Harz firs. If you look at recent videos filmed there it's so different to my last visit in 2018.

[@tattoo1084]

Cracking footage Austin, especially the steamers going through the forest.😀👍

[@acw71000]

Thanks David, glad I captured what I did. You may be surprised to learn that a lot of those forests have now gone as many trees in the region were infected by disease and had to be felled. Having seen some recent videos it has opened up a lot of new shots

[@tattoo1084]

@@acw71000 shame about the trees, but like you say more opportunities.

[@mwallace2922]

Awesome stuff. All killer no filler. 👍👍🇦🇺

[@acw71000]

Thank you, I like that phrase!!

[@stephenbrass1808]

Superb video Austin, a joy to watch, cheers, steve . 👍🎥

[@acw71000]

Thanks Steve, looking forward to returning to the Harz in the future

[@TheStephengthompson]

So refreshing to see steam running without any stupid palisade fences Austin. Lovely shots all round but snow wins the day👍🎥

[@acw71000]

Thanks Steve, that is the joy of filming abroad as you're credited with a bit of common sense and know not to do anything silly to get the shot

[@SimonTog]

Wonderful collection Austin :)

[@acw71000]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

[@rch660]

Fantastic scenery!!! Thanks a lot for uploading this!!!

[@acw71000]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it

[@keithdickinson358]

Great footage Austin. I had a memorable holiday in the Hartz Mountains on leaving Uni in 1964 but not photographing steam. Said I'd go back but .... Saved this to view again !

[@acw71000]

Thanks Keith, I'd never been until 2015 and then I was hooked until the pandemic got in the way. Hoping to get back there next year

[@nige7577]

Excellent footage Austin, a very enjoyable watch and very well presented, cheers 👍

[@acw71000]

Many thanks Nige, It's been too long since my last visit to the Harz, a magical place for steam

[@RickyNowis]

Outstanding footage of the Mallet locomotives. Had an old VHS from Europe Railway Enthusiasts and the Mallets was used on double headed Special trains mostly. They must have been there since the Harz Mountain Railway began before its regular locomotives came in? Such a shame they are getting withdrawn, hopefully they will be preserved?

[@acw71000]

Thanks very much Ricky. Yes they go back to the original railway which became the HSB. They've been used for specials over the past few years but now 99 5906 is to go on static display and one of the remaining ones is to be repaired in order to run during the 125th.anniversary celebrations in 2023. There are a few special runs planned for this month so keep an eye out for videos as I'm sure quite a few people will be out to film them

[@AndreiTupolev]

Don't they make a great sound. Excellent whistle too

[@acw71000]

Yes they do. Wonderful locos and I'm glad I managed to capture these shots

[@TrainTrackTrav]

Are these simple or compound articulated locomotives? Judging by the size of the cylinders, I'm tepted to assume they're simples.

[@acw71000]

As far as I know the Mallets are compounds. Thanks for watching

[@stephensmith799]

Steam locomotive come in ‘families’ as far as looks go. I really like the Germanic steam family look. A bit ‘Austrian’ but better looking. Speaking of good looking European locos, can I recommend the ‘Blue Albatross’ built by Skoda, I think for the the Czechoslovak state railways.

[@acw71000]

Just looked up the 'Blue Albatross' and I'd agree, a very handsome loco.

[@stephensmith799]

@@acw71000 I think there is a train ‘race’ video shot from both cabs one of which is the Blue Albatross. I’ll have a rummage and see if I can find it for you….

[@jeyop]

❤️

[@6109river]

Austin When was that taken ?

[@acw71000]

Between 2015 and 2018 John