Guest steam engines, September 22nd/23rd, 2018, in Altstadt

35 1097 (Glauchau), 50 3648 (Chemnitz) and 41 1144 (Eisenach) visited Altstadt for operational supply, turnaround and short-term stabling. The 50 and 35 double-headed a vintage charter from Cottbus between Dresden-Neustadt and Doksy (Czech Republic). Late at night, the 35 headed through to Cottbus, whereas the 50 came back to the depot and went home to Chemnitz the next morning.

The 41 from Thüringen brought a one-day excursion train to Radebeul Ost, placed the waggon rolling stock in Coswig (bei Dresden) and then came to Altstadt for operational supply. Within 90 minutes, the entire "regular" agenda was completed: Clearing the smoke chamber, removing slag, bunkering water and coal. And, coffee for the personnel, of course. Afterwards, they made off for their trip home.

These activities once more highlighted the utmost, trans-regional and even international importance of the depot in Altstadt as an ACTIVE institution to supply steam engines and give them a (temporary) home. Tradition is not preserving the ashes but passing on the flame! According to this motto, anything should be attempted to maintain this functionality in the future - and not have the depot drop into cadaveric rigidity.

Text and pictures: Dr. Christof Schröfl, deputy public relations, IG Bw Dresden-Altstadt e.V., 24.09.2018