Month: June 2026

Harz steam action with a Deutschland Ticket

Moments after a heavy downpour 99-7243 almost slips to a halt on 11 June 2026 as it storms out of Alexisbad with train 8963 from Quedlinburg (10.35) to Strassberg (Harz)

German Railways (Deutsche Bahn) may come it for a lot of criticism these days over reliability and punctuality, but for anyone visiting this fascinating country and happy to avoid the faster IC/ICE trains, there is a remarkable bargain to be had in the month-long Deutschland Ticket (D-ticket), costing just €63.00 (£55.00).

Not only does this offer unlimited travel on all local and regional trains and buses, but it is also valid for travel on a host of narrow-gauge railways in eastern Germany, including most of the world’s finest steam-worked network, the remarkable Harzer Schmalspur Bahnen (HSB) metre-gauge system.

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Major signalling changes for the Harrogate Line

170473 approaches Hessay down distant signal H5 on 31 May 2026 with 2C31 from York to Leeds

Plans for the automation of two level crossings on the York-Leeds “Harrogate Line” will mean a major reduction in semaphore signalling at the remarkable eastern end of this fascinating route, between Harrogate and Poppleton, a growing village three miles north-west of York city centre.

Over the course of 5¾ miles of single line between the stations of Hammerton and Poppleton the half-hourly trains between York and Harrogate will pass three level crossings – Wilstrop, Marston Moor and Hessay – each currently boasting gate boxes with up and down home and distant signals, all but one of which are semaphores.

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