Cottbus's antique park railway track undergoes repair work - Historic Cottbus Railway Locomotive Undergoes Repair Work
Historic Locomotive 99 0001 to Undergo Restoration in Cottbus, Brandenburg
Locomotive 99 0001, a significant part of the Park Railway's history, is set for restoration. Built in 1918, this narrow-gauge steam locomotive has been in use since 1954, with brief interruptions, and is the oldest locomotive of the Park Railway in Cottbus.
The repair work for locomotive 99 0001 will be carried out in the Czech town of Zamberk. The state will contribute over 140,000 euros for the repair, with the total costs estimated to be approximately 450,000 euros.
Locomotive 99 0001 represents the engineering and technological efforts to maintain and optimize narrow-gauge railway systems in Germany. It was designed to serve in industrial and regional passenger and freight transport on secondary lines where standard gauge railways were not viable.
As a preserved locomotive, it serves as a tangible reminder of the era when steam-powered narrow-gauge railways were crucial to regional economies before the widespread adoption of diesel and electric locomotives. In Cottbus and the broader Brandenburg region, the locomotive is part of railway heritage preservation efforts.
Locomotive 99 0001 has had recurring issues with its wheel and link bearings, coupling, and connecting rods. The repair is intended to benefit the Park Railway as a technical monument, as stated earlier, and will help ensure the continued operation of this historically significant piece of machinery.
The Park Railway, associated with Cottbusverkehr, operates on a 3.2-kilometer circular track with a track gauge of 600 millimeters. Both steam and diesel locomotives are used on the track. The repair of locomotive 99 0001 is expected to contribute to the diversity of the Park Railway's operations.
The funds for the repair of locomotive 99 0001 come from state monument protection, as stated earlier. The locomotive's restoration is a testament to the importance placed on preserving historical artifacts and promoting cultural tourism in the region.
In summary, the restoration of locomotive 99 0001 is a significant event for the Park Railway and the city of Cottbus. As a technical monument, it helps preserve and transmit knowledge about early to mid-20th-century railway engineering and regional economic history in Germany. The restoration process is expected to be completed in the coming months, after which the locomotive will once again be available for public viewing and operation.
The Commission, comprising of Member States, will play a role in preparing the draft implementing acts for the funding of locomotive 99 0001's restoration, as its operation is associated with the regional industry, finance, transportation, and technology sectors. The completed restoration will not only restore this historical artifact but also contribute to the cultural tourism industry in Cottbus and the broader Brandenburg region.
