A Harzer Schmalspurbahnen train climbs through the forest to the Brocken - Date/Photographer unknown.
15 May 2013 Will the Harz Railway
be Sidelined Soon? Wernigerode Germany - For many vacationers the black steam locomotives chugging up to the Brocken are the main attraction of the Harz.
But now the Harz narrow gauge railway (HSB) has an uncertain future.
The Thüringian municipal district of Nordhausen, with 20 percent and the second largest shareholder, is considering withdrawing from financing and exit as a shareholder.
This will be decided by the council on 28 May 2013.
According to county spokeswoman Jessica Piper, Nordhausen annually supports HSB with €153,000, the registered capital is just under €307,000.
However, the annual grants from the states of Saxony-Anhalt (€4.1 million) and Thüringia (€1 million) are much higher.
The district of Nordhausen considers withdrawal not only because of its cash-strapped situation, but also with the direction of the company.
Especially since the planned "glass shop" in Wernigerode shifts the focus further to Saxony-Anhalt, it said.
The shareholders of the group cannot comprehend the announcement.
As the largest shareholder, with 42 percent and annual payments of €322,100 to the HSB, "We look at a possible exit of Nordhausen with concern."
Council members in Nordhausen must come together to talk and find solutions.
The town of Wernigerode, with 13 percent and the third-largest shareholder, would not think of leaving, said spokesman Andreas Meling.
"On the contrary, the Harz narrow gauge railway is the most important operation in the entire Harz", Meling said.
"With great value, not only for the railway, but also for the communities along the route. Your promotion should not be seen as an operating subsidy but as a tourist investment."
The company itself was shocked at the news from Nordhausen.
"We are worried," said Dirk Bahnsen of the HSB yesterday.
Every year, around 1.2 million passengers ride the trains, most on the connection to the Brocken. On the route between Nordhausen and Wernigerode, there are approximately 230,000 passengers.
Since 1991, the municipality has supported the HSB.
"So far, no shareholders have had any wish to terminate this community solidarity," said Bahnsen.
The Harz and the narrow gauge railways belong together across all borders.
Saskia Döhner Loosely translated from German by Google but with additional assumptions and corrections by this editor.
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