Report from a visit to Lübeck (Germany), at the railway line to Hamburg, near the former locomotive workshop (Bahnbetriebswerk = Bw) Lübeck. Before the electrification of the line in 2008, Lübeck had been a stronghold of Diesel locomotives. Many class 218 locos came here for maintenance. Before the era of class 218, other locomotives had their home at Lübeck, including class 220.
Some of the buildings still exist, as well as the access to the workshop. At the entrance there's also a shelter for bicycles.
The water tower is also still there. Beside it, there had been a roundhouse for steam locomotives in former times. In 1975, 4 class 50 steam locos were standing next to the roundhouse. Probably they were going to scrap. In 2022, the former roundhouse area was empty. There are plans to construct new residential buildings at this place.
In 2022 Lübeck still had a Diesel fuel station, just like in 1971. In 1971 there had been a long shed beside the fuel station. Uerdingen rail buses could often be seen there. This shed is gone now. In 1971 the fuel station had got new tanks. The old high tank had been replaced by new low lying tanks.
In 2022, the non-electrified lines around Lübeck (to Kiel, Neustadt and Lüneburg) were operated with LINT 41 Diesel multiple units (DMUs). In 1975, push-pull trains with class 212 were often in service there, or Uerdingen railbuses, depending on the number of passengers. In that era, class 212 could often be watched at Lübeck.
In February of 1984 south of the old locomotive shed a high hall was standing. It can be used for exchanging large and heavy locomotive components like Diesel motors or hydraulic transmissions. These buildings were still standing in 2022. In 1984, again some locomotives could be seen at the depot that were withdrawn from service by Deutsche Bundesbahn. 7 class 220 locomotives were standing there, they were prepared for sale. In 1984 often passenger trains were standing in the sidings near Lübeck central station. Many of them consisted of stainless steel coaches called "Silberlinge". In 2022 the sidings are almost empty. The current schedule for Schleswig-Holstein is a masterpiece of train operation. Almost all trains are in use and none are parked. If, however, a spare train should be needed it will be difficult to get one as almost all trains are in use.
Musik: A Himitsu - Lost Within
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