Longtime train attendant Martin Beaver leads visitors through the BRB workshop - Date unknown Samuel Buchmann. 22 March 2015 Steam Trains in the Wings Brienz Switzerland - The Brienz Rothorn Bahn is getting ready for the season opener.
The repair of the locomotives and the cars needs time but also a lot of money.
In the workshop there is a hive of activity.
Nine locomotives are lined up for the mechanics who break them down into their individual parts, check the components, then clean and replace them where necessary.
The preparation of locomotives and wagons is in full swing.
Soon they will be tested as they are put through their paces.
The signs are that steam trains will run on time this year in early June and resume operation up to the summit because the current warm weather is melting the snow on the Rothorn.
Expensive Overhaul
Even in winter, the BRB employs 15 employees.
"This sounds like a high number," said Chairman Peter Flück, "but there is a lot of work."
In addition, one must be able to offer professionals year-round jobs since there are no longer many steam train drivers in Switzerland.
As far as labor costs go, this year is a particularly expensive.
One of the big locomotives needs a new boiler.
"It can easily cost several hundred thousand francs," said the long-term seasonal employee Martin Beaver.
With a lack of money locomotive restoration will stop until further notice at the workshop.
Flück reassured: "The operation can be continued as normal."
However, with another failure, the BRB could no longer cope without restrictions.  A locomotive in the workshop receives the finishing touch before a test drive - Date unknown Samuel Buchmann. Defective locomotives include a red diesel.
It is already over 40-years-old, with a 1968 tank engine in her belly.
"It has become difficult to get spare parts for old units," says Beaver.
It is a challenge to replace old cogs, valves, and tubes.
Whenever possible the BRB manufactures the parts themselves, for cost reasons, but also because of their great experience.
New Tracks
Old rail, type S20, has to be replaced with the new type, S49, at a cost of 1,000 francs per running meter.
The new rails are heavier and thicker.
They are not as easily damaged by avalanches and landslides as the old.
Slightly more than half of the route is now equipped with rail type S49, by 2018 the rest will follow, then the rail network will be up to date.
Operations Thank Patrons
The maintenance and operation of the steam railway is very expensive.
In addition, the trains can run only in the summer so all income must be derived then.
The financial statements are still good, but only thanks to the association, "Friends of the Steam Engine".
Will there be investment, unforeseen events, or a weather shortened season to tighten the purse strings.
"Yes, we lack the necessary cash to stem the improvement of the railway and the locomotive itself," confirms Flück.
The Chairman would like to get money together through donations.  The rank and file in the workshop - Date unknown Samuel Buchmann. There has been interest shown towards a cable way.
In the late 1950's the BRB was almost replaced by such.
But the municipality of Brienz pulled the emergency brake and got the steam operations going for nostalgic reasons.
Even today you can feel that the staff put their heart and soul into the steam trains.
The old coal-fired locomotives are still a fascination for many.
We can only hope that the Brienz Rothorn Bahn will not eventually run out of financial breath. Anonymous Author OKthePK Joint Bar Editor: Translation mainly by Google but with some guesswork. | 
