Beet Steam in the Ries 2024
Full steam with four heavy freight locomotives around the Nördlingen railway lines
From September 18 to 20, 2024, the Bavarian Railway Museum (BEM) once again drew steam locomotive enthusiasts to the Nördlinger Ries region for three action-packed days. The event’s theme was the sugar beet harvest, which BayernBahn transports by rail using steam traction, starting from Dürrenzimmern. However, sugar beets were not the only cargo moved during the event; round timber was also transported to a local sawmill, and various special photo trains were operated.
In addition to the deployment of four steam freight locomotives on the Nördlingen–Gunzenhausen, Nördlingen–Wilburgstetten, and Nördlingen–Donauwörth lines, a major highlight was the debut appearance of steam locomotive 50 4073-8. Originally a "new-design" steam locomotive of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, it had been restored to full operational status by the BEM over the years, having previously served merely as a stationary source of steam.
Wednesday, 18.09.2024
Early in the morning, locomotives 50 4074 and 52 8168 haul an empty timber train from Nördlingen to Donauwörth. At the same time, 41 018 kicks off the event with an empty beet train running from Donauwörth to Nördlingen, continuing later to Dürrenzimmern for loading. The two steam trains pass each other at Wörnitzstein. Alongside other train runs, 50 4073 hauling a loaded timber train from Nördlingen to Willburgstetten marks the finale of the first day.
Thursday, 19.09.2024
Early in the morning, locomotive 50 2273 handles the first run with the Nördlingen photo train from Nördlingen to Donauwörth. Later in the day, the DB Class 50 hauls a timber train to Willburgstetten. In the evening, 41 018 takes charge of the sugar beet train and hauls it towards Fremdingen.
Friday, 20.09.2024
As on the first two days, the early photo train from Nördlingen to Donauwörth is running again today. On this day, it is hauled by 51 8168. Locomotive 50 4073 had originally been scheduled for the task as well, but it is hauling a special service (tank cars) instead. After 52 8168 has taken the photo train to Donauwörth, it picks up the empty beet wagons and returns to Nördlingen. Locomotive 41 018 then takes over the photo train and follows along the same route back to Nördlingen. Several other operations are scheduled for later in the day.
