RASENDER ROLAND - THE ISLE OF RUGEN
About 75 miles to the east of the Mollibahn is the 'Rasender Roland', the 26km line from Pitbus to Gohren, on the Isle Of Rugen. This 750mm gauge line is single track throughout with trains from Putbus passing at Binz before continuing on to Gohren. The line was opened throughout by 1899 but exactly 100 years later the line was extended a further 2 kilometres down to Lauterbach Mole so that trains could meet ferries arriving at the harbour. This extension was particularly interesting as it was laid inside the standard gauge tracks of DB and trains are banked up from Lauterbach to Putbus - although this is usually by diesel in order to save money on steam crews.
The main workshop and depot is at Putbus and there are currently six engines belonging to the private Rugensche Kleinbach GmbH and Co. who have taken over the line from the state. These comprise of two Vulcan (Stettin) 0-8-0T engines, two Henschel 2-8-0T's and two L.K.M 2-10-2T locos. A number of other locomotives are also on site but not owned by RuKB.
The service normally requires two engines in steam although diesel traction can be used in emergency. Trains face out of Gohren and can usually be photographed two or three times before reaching Putbus without breaking the speed limit or upsetting the locals! |
