Winter steam in the Eyach valley
With steam locomotives 58 311 & 97 501 on the HzL tracks
Sunday, 04.01.2026
The Eisenbahnfreunde Zollernbahn (EFZ) traditionally organize their "Dreikönigsdampf" (Three Kings' Steam) event. Over several days around January 6th, special diesel- and steam-hauled trains run across southwestern Germany. In 2026, the spotlight is particularly on steam locomotives 58 311 (from Dampfnostalgie Karlsruhe) and 97 501 (from the Honau–Lichtenstein cog railway).
Following yesterday's trip to Seebrugg in the Black Forest, today’s itinerary featured a journey through the wintry Eyach Valley along the HzL lines. The trip begins in Reutlingen and proceeds via Tübingen through the Neckar Valley to Eyach. From there, the route enters the network of the (former) HzL, heading first via Haigerloch to Hechingen. The snow on the tracks bears witness to the fact that no trains had passed through prior to this special service. Subsequently, both locomotives are put to the test, hauling the train up the Burladingen incline—with gradients of up to 23‰—towards Gammertingen. After a stop in Gammertingen, the return journey to Tübingen takes place in the late afternoon, with the locomotives running tender-first.
