Nostalgia trip with steam locomotive Eberhard: An unforgettable experience in Neusiedl

Nostalgia trip with steam locomotive Eberhard: An unforgettable experience in Neusiedl

A radiant Saturday morning in Neusiedl am See moved numerous visitors to the train station. Instead of the usual commuters, nostalgia -loving guests came here today who wanted to attend one of the few nostalgia trips on the eastern track.

The impressive steam locomotive "Eberhard", which has already been on the back of 80 years, was the greatest highlight. With a large roar and a striking steam output, she became a popular photo motif. The people gathered around the locomotive and held the extraordinary scenery with their cell phones. Meanwhile, the fire brigade Neusiedl am See was on site and made sure that the locomotive was filled with the locomotive to make the trip smoothly.

The long history of the locomotive

Before "Eberhard" was able to start at 8:25 a.m., slightly late, a look inside the locomotive was taken. Dominik Wurm, an active ÖBB local guide and co-organizer of the event, explained the function of the heater to the audience. "We will heat around six tons of coal today," estimated Peter Sens, who, as one of the last train drivers, can also serve the steam locomotive.

The steam locomotive has an eventful story that goes back until 1944 when it was originally constructed for the East German Reichsbahn. After the war, the locomotive landed in Yugoslavia and was active until 1991. After her return to Austria, she first found a place in Strasshof and Knittelfeld before she was taken over by the "Lokteam" association in 2015. After extensive restoration work, the locomotive was finally ready for use in 2019.

On its trip today, the "Eberhard" glides comfortably across the picturesque route along the Danube at 60 km/h. The route leads over Tulln, Krems and Dünstein to Spitz on the Danube and back. The tickets for this special trip were in great demand - all 330 were sold immediately. "Eberhard" is the only steam locomotive in the region with route approval for the Ostregion and has a maximum speed of 80 km/h. Nevertheless, the organizers decided to let them drive slower to preserve the nostalgic enjoyment of the journey.

Only recently has another great interest in historical train trips noticeable, which is not least evident in the fast ticket sales. The preference for nostalgic experiences seems to grow every year. Further trips of this kind could be in prospect for the future.

The organization of nostalgia was in the hands of the motorcycling community Nordburgenland, which contributed with great commitment and attention to detail to the successful implementation. The event was a successful tribute to railway history and the fascination for steam locomotives, which also captivates younger generations.