Elstertal City Express
Photo Train Finale in the Zeitz Area –
With 142 001-7 Along the White Elster
Sunday, 16.03.2025
The modernization of Zeitz station is set to begin in just a few weeks. Early signs of the upcoming renovations are already visible, making it high time to visit this railway gem one last time with an authentic photo train. While coal trains had frequently run on this line in recent months, this trip featured a very special consist: the impressive, 4,000-horsepower locomotive 142 001-7 hauling a historic Städteexpress (city express) train. The event was once again accompanied by vintage road vehicles that rounded out the scene.
Unfortunately, the day began in fog when our train departed from Weimar in the morning. The route took us via Gera to Leipzig, where the train reversed direction. Around midday, we made two round trips between Leipzig and Zeitz, and the sun finally broke through. In the afternoon - as heavy cloud cover began to roll in - we returned to Weimar via Gera.
In addition to the impending modernization of Zeitz station, the Städteexpress trainset itself has been sold, meaning this particular experience cannot be replicated. Our thanks go to the organizer and all the honest participants who paid their fares; without them, this train would not have run.
