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2008: 100 Years Hermesdorf - Morsbach

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100 Years Hermesdorf - Morsbach 

Today the route from Hermesdorf to Morsbach has to be considered as a single entity with the Wieltahlbahn. However, the first railway connection to Morsbach (not shown here) was from Wissen (to the south on the Siegtalbahn). This track was not restored after the Second World War.

A tunnel and several viaducts led to high construction costs. First Italian immigrant workers were among the ‘navvies’ involved in construction of Kömpler tunnel, shown here just before the boring commenced in 1907. A tunnel and several viaducts led to high construction costs. First Italian immigrant workers were among the ‘navvies’ involved in construction of Kömpler tunnel, shown here just before the boring commenced in 1907.

 

 

Inspection of the railway viaduct near Morsbach-Heide by a track maintenance train in the 1960s.Inspection of the railway viaduct near Morsbach-Heide by a track maintenance train in the 1960s.

 

 

 

The viaduct below Oberzielenbach was one of the earliest German structures to be made from mass concrete.The viaduct below Oberzielenbach was one of the earliest German structures to be made from mass concrete.

 

 

The viaduct spans elegant across the valley.The viaduct spans elegant across the valley. 

 

A train crosses the bridge, climbing the hill from Morsbach to the Kömpeler Tunnel.A train crosses the bridge, climbing the hill from Morsbach to the Kömpeler Tunnel.

 

 

 

A logging train at the same site.A logging train at the same site. 

 

 Kömpel Tunnel in winter.Kömpel Tunnel in winter.

    

 

Morsbach station in 1991.Morsbach station in 1991. 

 

  

A freight train in Morsbach. A freight train in Morsbach.   

 

  

 The timber in the foreground points towards the future: In particular, the forestry industry is interested in a re-opened route between Hermesdorf and Morsbach.The timber in the foreground points towards the future: In particular, the forestry industry is interested in a re-opened route between Hermesdorf and Morsbach.

 

 

Diesel shunter 332 290 with an inspection train from the Köln-Kalk maintenance depot in Morsbach on 20th September 1992.Diesel shunter 332 290 with an inspection train from the Köln-Kalk maintenance depot in Morsbach on 20th September 1992.

 

 

 

A railbus special in Morsbach.A railbus special in Morsbach. 

 

 

Before the line was closed MAN railbuses visited Morsbach on special trains. Who would have thought back then that years later such a vehicle would be the main vehicle of the Wiehltalbahn?Before the line was closed MAN railbuses visited Morsbach on special trains. Who would have thought back then that years later such a vehicle would be the main vehicle of the Wiehltalbahn? 

 

  

 

And now for something completely different! The former Type 601 TEE (Trans Europ Express) as the “Dicker (Fat) Sauerländer” special train in Morsbach.And now for something completely different! The former Type 601 TEE (Trans Europ Express) as the “Dicker (Fat) Sauerländer” special train in Morsbach.  
 

 

 Up to now the last passenger train in Morsbach: a railbus on a special train on 8th May 1993.Up to now the last passenger train in Morsbach: a railbus on a special train on 8th May 1993.

 

 

The “Last Train” leaving Kömpeler Tunnel on 8th May 1993.The “Last Train” leaving Kömpeler Tunnel on 8th May 1993. 

 

 

 

Veterans' meeting (Hermesdorf, 8. May 1993).Veterans' meeting (Hermesdorf, 8. May 1993). 

 

  

 

The crucial set of points at Hermesdorf: the railbus has just come from the left, from Morsbach, on its final run and is now approaching the photographer, in the direction of Wiehl. 8th.May 1993.The crucial set of points at Hermesdorf: the railbus has just come from the left, from Morsbach, on its final run and is now approaching the photographer, in the direction of Wiehl. 8th.May 1993. 

 

 

 

 

A maintainance train in "Kömpeler Tunnel".A maintainance train in "Kömpeler Tunnel".

 

  

 

 

 The maintainance train leaving Kömpeler Tunnel towards Kömpel (28. September 2008).The maintainance train leaving Kömpeler Tunnel towards Kömpel (28. September 2008). 

 

And now? The last train left in 1994. In the summer of 2008 the Rhein-Sieg-Eisenbahn obtained an operating authorisation for the route and active members of the "Förderkreises zur Rettung der Wiehltalbahn" (Fundraising group for the preservation of the Wiehl Valley Railway) have been reconditioning it since then.

 

Track maintenance trains can already use the track as far as Kömpel (seen here on 28th.September 2008) but there is still a lot to do to get through to Morsbach.Track maintenance trains can already use the track as far as Kömpel (seen here on 28th.September 2008) but there is still a lot to do to get through to Morsbach. 

 

Ring 0151 5526 8591 to find out dates for volunteering – or you can send a donation!

 

“Open up the railway” - a clear message (at the Morsbach station building).“Open up the railway” - a clear message (at the Morsbach station building).