Germany (January 2004)

Aue(Sachs): Famous as the last depot of classes 58, 86 and 94.20 steam ended here in December 1976, when the last engine of class 86 was taken out of regular services. But it wasn't the real end: With the oil-crisis at the beginning of the 80s class 86 returned into service. The class 86 was needed for the line Schlettau - Crottendorf, a short branch line embedded in the villages Waltersdorf and Crottendorf with hard curves and many level-crossings. Because of this all locomotives had to use double staff for security reasons - ideal conditions to substitute diesel by steam again.

So class 86 came back to service in 1982. Because just one engine left in Aue after steam ended in 1976, more locos were needed. So the engines 86.1056-0, 86.1333-3 and 86.1501-5 came here from other depots again. 86.1333-3 was in bad condition and went back to Glauchau soon, so mostly 86.1501-5 was in service, substituted by 86.1056-0 or 86.1001-6 in case of repairs. In spring of 1988 regular steam services ended again and in 1996 the line to Crottendorf was closed down.

  86.1056-0 shunting at Schlettau station.   86.1056-0 with a passenger train to Crottendorf at Schlettau.   86.1501-5 is leaving Schlettau with a wonderful train of reconstructed cars.   86.1501-5 at Walthersdorf.   86.1501-5 with a long freight train at Crottendorf unt. Bf.   86.1501-5 in Crottendorf ob. Bf. The station-building was decorated for the anniversary of the line in summer 1989.   86.1501-5 is rolling back to Schlettau. The line was already in bad condition.   Crottendorf: To get out of the house the people had to cross the railway!