Deutschland (Stand: Oktober 2005)

ZOJE: The narrow gauge line from Zittau to Oybin and Jonsdorf in the Zittau' mountains is remarkable in many ways. The line (opened in 1890) was the only one in whole Saxony which was planned and built with private equity. On the first kilometer it used the tracks of the already existing line Zittau - Hermsdorf (opened in 1884, cutted by the new border in 1945) to Neisse junction. From here it runs via Zittau-Vorstadt and Olbersdorf to Bertsdorf, there the lines to Oybin and Jonsdorf are separated.

The private company became under states control in 1906. The high level of traffic was the reason to build up a second track from Zittau-Vorstadt to Oybin in 1913 - unique for Saxonian narrow gauge. Although this second track was removed again until 1945 the future of the line seemed to be save for many years. But in the 80s the open cast of Olbersdorf' coal mine had reached the line. Because of the importance of coal for East German industry it was decided to close down the narrow gauge line in the early 90s.

With the political changes in 1989 the decision was canceled immediately: The open cast mine was closed instead of the line. In 1996 the line came back under private control again. And so this beautiful narrow gauge line survived until today…

99.1762-6 with freight train near Zittau-Vorstadt.		99.1749-3 in front of Zittau' skyline.
99.1759-2 arriving at Olbersdorf-Niederdorf.		99.1735-2 on Olbersdorf' bridge. In the background the already the coal mine.
99.1776-6 was on the less engines build after WW2.		99.1757-6 and 99.1731-1 in Bertsdorf. Frist one with a train to Jonsdorf, the second with a train to Oybin.
99.1749-3 at a level crossing near Oybin.		99.1758-4 with a typical building in Jonsdorf.

99.4532-0 shunting at Zittau. It was the only non-saxonian pre-war engine that survived in Saxony until the 90s.