A number of narrow-gauge lines survive, largely as a consequence of German reunification, in the former East Germany where some of them form part of the public transport system as active commercial carriers. Most extensive of those still employing steam traction is the Harz mountain group of metre-gauge lines, the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen. Other notable lines are the Zittau–Oybin–Jonsdorf line in Saxony, the Mollibahn and the Rügensche Kleinbahn on the Isle of Rügen on the Baltic coast and the Radebeul-Radeburg line, Weisseritztalbahn in the suburbs of Dresden. Although most rely on the tourist trade, in some areas they provide significant employment as steam traction is particularly labour-intensive.
In the Western part of Germany, Selfkantbahn (close to Heinsberg near Aachen) and Brohltalbahn (Linz/Rhine) are the best known ones, offering services in summer weekends.
Spreewaldbahn („Bimmelguste“) from Lübben to Cottbus via Burg (Spreewald); most lines closed until 1970, last spurs converted to standard gauge in 1983.
750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in) gauge lines
Jüterbog-Luckenwalder Kreiskleinbahnen (JLKB, „Märkische Bähnle“); closed in 1965
Kleinbahnen der Kreise West- und Ostprignitz; closed until 1969, heritage railway "Pollo" relaid on a 9 km stretch.
Kreisbahn Rathenow-Senzke-Nauen; 51,7 km, parts closed in the 1930s and in 1949, finally closed in 1961
600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) gauge lines
Cottbuser Parkeisenbahn; 3,20 km, in service
Hesseedit
1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) gauge lines
Biebertalbahn; 9,5 km, closed
900 mm (2 ft 11+7⁄16 in) gauge lines
Spessartbahn; 21,2 km, closed in 1951
800 mm (2 ft 7+1⁄2 in) gauge lines
Ernstbahn; 7,6 km, closed
600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) gauge lines
Bad Orber Kleinbahn; former standard-gauge railway, partly relaid as a feldbahn to serve as a museum railway
Frankfurter Feldbahnmuseum
Kuhrbahn Bad Schwalbach; closed.
410 mm (16+5⁄32 in) gauge lines
Kinderstraßenbahn Frankfurt am Main [de]; 220 m.
Lower Saxonyedit
1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) gauge lines
Inselbahn Juist; 2,8 km, from 1896 to 1982, tracks lifted.
Inselbahn Langeoog; 2,6 km.
Kehdinger Kreisbahn; 51,8 km, closed.
Kleinbahn Bremen–Tarmstedt; 27,0 km, closed in 1956.
Machel, Wolf-Dietger (2011). Enzyklopädie der deutschen Schmalspurbahnen [Encyclopedia of the German Narrow Gauge Railways] (in German). München: GeraMond Verlag. ISBN 9783862451012.
Organ, John (2004). North East German Narrow Gauge: Harz Mountains and Baltic Region. Narrow Gauge Branch Lines series. Midhurst, West Sussex, UK: Middleton Press. ISBN 1904474446.
Organ, John (2005). Saxony Narrow Gauge: featuring the extensive 75cm, 60cm and 38cm lines. Narrow Gauge Branch Lines series. Midhurst, West Sussex, UK: Middleton Press. ISBN 1904474470.
Organ, John (2007). West German Narrow Gauge. Narrow Gauge Branch Lines series. Midhurst, West Sussex, UK: Middleton Press. ISBN 978-1904474937.
Organ, John (2014). Harz Revisited: Metre Gauge Railways in Central Germany. Narrow Gauge Branch Lines series. Midhurst, West Sussex, UK: Middleton Press. ISBN 9781908174628.
Organ, John (2015). Saxony & Baltic Germany Revisited. Narrow Gauge Branch Lines series. Midhurst, West Sussex, UK: Middleton Press. ISBN 9781908174710.
External linksedit
Media related to Narrow gauge railways in Germany at Wikimedia Commons