No More Steam

Ladies and gentlemen, the last main line steam service has ended in China. On May 7th the last train ran, and the tracks torn up. Let us take a moment of silence as the end of an era in rail history has ended.

 

so close to the date when the digital age (TSW2) is Reviving steam

 

I know, but upon the bright side there are tons of documentaries, and home videos of it. Also I think there is still a smaller operation of steam in the Bulkans.

 

Not entirely true. The Brockenbahn in Germany is an operational steam railway. Also, the Zillertalbahn still may be operational with steam trains.

 

Don't you mean Balkans?

 

Yes

 

I think the one in Bosnia might just be freight now, the only place you can still ride a steam train on a regular timetabled route in Europe is here in Poland. As a preservation thing they keep a line in Wielkopolska operating that way.

 

Hm. I did not know that. I should do more research.

 

If you search for Parowóz Wolsztyn you should find information. A lot of the visitors and some of the preservationists are British so some people there do speak English.

 

Here's a link:
https://www.parowozowniawolsztyn.pl/english-version/

Now it looks like I'm going to have to take a trip to Poland!

 

You and me both.

 

I believe the Balkans Line is the Sargan 8, part of the once much larger Yugoslavian narrow gauge network. Though strictly speaking isn’t it just a tourist line now?

As regards China, never going to happen but steam over Jingpeng Pass would be marvellous in TSW, complete with western tourists chasing the trains!!

 

The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch still uses steam. Although not a Network Rail line, it is not a heritage line and is a proper working railway.