The coal railway has become a tourist attraction in the Leipzig New Lake District.
For several centuries, the northern "Altenburger Land" was characterised by coal mining. The coal excavated in the opencast mines had to be transported cheaply to the briquette plants and at the same time the accumulated colliery waste had to be disposed of. So it stood to reason to build a widely branched rail network and to manage the transportation by train.
The history of the "coal railway" begins in 1942: popularly known as "Kammerforstbahn", it transported lignite mined at the Waltersdorf open pit (later also Gröba) to the briquette plants in Haselbach and Regis. In the early years of railway operations, steam locomotives were used. Then, analogous to the development of the former German Reichsbahn in the 1960s, followed conversion to electric locomotives.
After the reunification of Germany, dramatic changes took place in the economic structure of the coal region of southern Leipzig. The closure of opencast mines and coal refining plants would almost have meant the "death" of the coal railway. Thanks to the enthusiasm of some obstinate railway fans, who later founded Kohlebahn e. V. and vigorously got engaged, continued existence could be secured on a section of the track systems.
Today, the "coal railway" - equipped with diesel drive - travels across the Saxon-Thuringian border through the northern Altenburger Land. Rebuilt for passengers from both near and far, who can experience the mining tradition, enjoy idyllic landscapes and visit interesting sights on the edge of the route. The coal railway has become a tourist attraction in the Leipzig New Lake District. An eloquent example of the commitment of the members of the association, but also for the participation of the Free State of Thuringia and many authorities, offices and institutions, was the construction of approximately 1.9 km of railway line to the station Meuselwitz in 2000/2001.
At the operating station of the coal railway in Haselbach, as well as in the technical museum in Meuselwitz, one can gain insight into rail vehicle technology and mode of operation in the last decades with the help of a constantly growing exhibition.
The history of the "coal railway" begins in 1942: popularly known as "Kammerforstbahn", it transported lignite mined at the Waltersdorf open pit (later also Gröba) to the briquette plants in Haselbach and Regis. In the early years of railway operations, steam locomotives were used. Then, analogous to the development of the former German Reichsbahn in the 1960s, followed conversion to electric locomotives.
After the reunification of Germany, dramatic changes took place in the economic structure of the coal region of southern Leipzig. The closure of opencast mines and coal refining plants would almost have meant the "death" of the coal railway. Thanks to the enthusiasm of some obstinate railway fans, who later founded Kohlebahn e. V. and vigorously got engaged, continued existence could be secured on a section of the track systems.
Today, the "coal railway" - equipped with diesel drive - travels across the Saxon-Thuringian border through the northern Altenburger Land. Rebuilt for passengers from both near and far, who can experience the mining tradition, enjoy idyllic landscapes and visit interesting sights on the edge of the route. The coal railway has become a tourist attraction in the Leipzig New Lake District. An eloquent example of the commitment of the members of the association, but also for the participation of the Free State of Thuringia and many authorities, offices and institutions, was the construction of approximately 1.9 km of railway line to the station Meuselwitz in 2000/2001.
At the operating station of the coal railway in Haselbach, as well as in the technical museum in Meuselwitz, one can gain insight into rail vehicle technology and mode of operation in the last decades with the help of a constantly growing exhibition.
A new attraction on the coal train is the cinema car, which was converted from the former dance floor into a cinema. For events, you can use it to Watch films about the development of lignite and the Western Days.
Annual highlights on the coal track are
- Männertag (men's day)
- Open door day
- Western day
- Advent