Eastwards To Zittau

 

For our third morning, we were up and out early with the sun creeping over the horizon as we jumped on the tram to get to Dresden Hbf in time for an early Prague bound train eastwards for Zittau. Zittau is about as far east as you can go before you either cross the border into Chechia or Poland.

Dawn at Theatreplatz.

First light at Dresden Hbf and crossing the Elbe.

The journey took about an hour and a half and we had a short walk out of the station to the narrow gauge Zittau Schmalspurbahn station outside.

99 749 awaits departure time from Zittau.

The Zittau Schmalspurbahn is operated by a different company to the one that operates the other three lines we travelled on and is also a ‘Y’ shaped railway. From Zittau the line runs to the junction station of Bertsdorf before dividing to Oybin and Jonsdorf.

The service we caught ran from Zittau to Oybin, back to Bertsdorf before going to Jonsdorf, back to Bertsdorf, to Oybin once again before returning to Zittau. The total length being 16 km or 10 m long. The unusual ‘Y’ shaped operation resulted in the early start, with a low season service running in March.

Threading our way out of Zittau.

Departing Zittau station, we crossed one branch of the mainline on the level before dropping down grade and passing under the other branch. We swept round the town calling at three more stations before leaving the suburbs behind and heading out in to open countryside. We were soon climbing up into the Zittau Mountains and after about half an hour we arrived at the attractive junction station at Bertsdorf. You don’t get many junction stations on the narrow gauge and Bertsdorf is an attractive example. A fine stations building with large canopy, loco sheds and an imposing signal box. Here the line splits and we headed off to Oybin first. Oybin station has the backdrop of an imposing sandstone cliff. 

Arrival at Oybin.

At Oybin, some of our party disembarked and climbed up to the castle ruins on top. The rest of us were soon rattling down the grade back to Bertsdorf. Here, the loco ran round, took water and the crew took a break. Before reattaching itself to the train and heading off up the other steeply graded fork to Jonsdorf.

Running round at Bertsdorf.

Having set the road, the Guard has a rest whilst waiting for the loco to finish taking water.

99 749 stands on the line to Oybin and is about to pass the impressive signal box to re-attach to its train. The steeply graded line to Jonsdorf curves off into the trees on the right.

Ready to depart Bertsdorf and climbing through the Forest below.

With Jonsdorf reached after an impressive (and noisy) climb through the forest, we adjourned to the ‘Speisewagen’, brightly painted a dark red to stand out from the rest of the traditionally painted green train. We then enjoyed a lunch of bratwurst washed down with a beer whilst the train returned via Bertsdorf to Oybin.

Running round at Jonsdorf.

Enjoying a Dampfbahnbier in the Speisewagen.

Our party once again complete, we returned to Zittau. The regular direct service to Dresden meant that we were able to explore the town where we found a suitable café in the Marktplatz for a drink (and bite to eat for those who’d missed the Speisewagen) in the warm March sunshine.

The outskirts of Zittau.

Underneath the arches of the standard gauge.

Crossing on the level.

Exploring Zittau.