Germany (March 2004)

Zwickau(Sachs): This large Saxonian city in the Western Ore Mountains was a centre of mining industry, textile industry and mechanical engineering for a long time. Zwickau became it's railway connection very early and developed to one of the most important hubs in the Saxonian railway network. Beside the state railway lines there were numerous branch lines, which were connecting the hard coal mines of this area. Therefore the major tasks of the railway were in freight traffic. So the large depot of Zwickau was the home for many freight engines, whose last representatives were the DRG-class 50 in original version. The steam services ended in May 1987.

Because of the last locomotives in original version and the very delightful landscape Zwickau was one of the last top-addresses for photographers, first of all the main line Schwarzenberg - Aue - Zwickau. Spectacular, but difficult for photographers was the industrial branch line of the hard coal coking plant Zwickau with it's steep gradients and the last two serviceable class 86 engines in wartime-version.

50.2652-1 meets Reko-engine 50.3616-5 in Zwickau.		Two different original class 50-engines: 50.1849-4 and 50.2146-4.
86.607 at the coking plant yard in Poehlau.		The other class 86 was 86.744, here dumped at Martin Hoop IV.
Last services: 50.3145-5 with a freight to Schwarzenberg near Hartenstein.		The end: Last show with 50.3145-5 and 50.3551-4 at Schwarzenberg (May 1987).

50.3145-5 with freight Dg54307 in Wiesenburg(Sachs).