Brockenbahn railway suspends summit service for three weeks due to track work

The popular Brockenbahn, a historic narrow-gauge railway in Germany's Harz Mountains, will halt services to the summit for nearly three weeks due to essential track construction.

From August 31 to September 18, the trains will terminate in Schierke, a village located below the peak. The Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB), the railway operator, confirmed that no replacement transport will be available during this period. This closure affects a highly frequented tourist route, impacting visitors aiming to reach the 1,141-meter-high Brocken peak.

The reason for the complete closure of the track between Schierke and the summit is extensive track work. "We are completely replacing rails and sleepers," explained HSB spokesperson Heide Baumgärtner. The operator aims to complete this work during favorable weather conditions.

Following the completion of these renovations, passengers can expect a more comfortable journey to the Brocken. The HSB operates Germany's longest continuous narrow-gauge network, spanning approximately 140 kilometers across Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt. The iconic steam locomotives are a major tourist attraction in the Harz region.

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We are completely replacing rails and sleepers.