Cottbus railcar 53
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The history of the tram
Cottbusverkehr
Operational
: Delivered as Cottbus railcar 53, manufacturer VEB Waggonbau Gotha, type ET57.
Cottbusverkehr
Operational
: Vehicle number changed to Cottbus railcar 96 (ex Cottbus railcar 53), manufacturer VEB Waggonbau Gotha, type ET57.
Jenaer Nahverkehrsgesellschaft (JeNah)
Operational
: Taken over by the company as Jena railcar 158 (ex Cottbus railcar 53), manufacturer VEB Waggonbau Gotha, type ET57.
Naumburger Touristenbahn (NTB)
Operational
: Taken over by the company as Naumburg (Saale) railcar 38 (ex Cottbus railcar 53), manufacturer VEB Waggonbau Gotha, type T57.

20:12
125th anniversary of the Naumburg tramway visit (2017)Visit to the Naumburg tram on the occasion of its 125th birthday. This was of course celebrated in style. At the depot there was a wide range of food and drink as well as live music and souvenir stands. And every now and then the beautiful trams passed by, always well attended by many tram fans and amazed passengers who just happened to be using the tram and just wanted to get into the city.By Train Gucker - .
29:26
A joyful drive through Naumburg (2017)Immediately after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Naumburg tram was sidelined: it was too worn out, too old-fashioned, and too ineffective. However, many citizens refused to accept the end of "their" tram and managed to get it running again. For ten years now, the trams have been traveling through the cathedral city every day, just like they used to. And what trams!
Each one is a historic treasure in its own right. For instance, there are old Gotha trams from the 1960s and so-called Reko trams from the 1970s. Recently, passengers could even ride in a Lindner tram from 1928! Corina Pfrenzinger and Robby Mörre are not going to miss out on this nostalgic experience in the new edition of "On a narrow gauge".
They also explore the history of the BR 143 electric locomotive. Developed in East Germany in the early 1980s, it was used for both passenger and freight trains. The locomotive was so dependable that it continued running in the West after the fall of the Berlin Wall and remains in service today as the "Trabilok".
For model train enthusiasts, there’s a behind-the-scenes look at a private facility in the Ore Mountains. Here, two men from Ehrenfriedersdorf built a monument to the former local narrow-gauge railway, which in the past transported grit from a quarry. Now, it’s all on display again—fully automatic, of course, and on a 1:87 scale.
A warm welcome from Naumburg. The cathedral is here in the city. Many people are aware of it, but Naumburg has even more to offer. For example, the smallest tram service in Germany is just 2 2.5 kilometers long, running from the station into the city. Fortunately, this tram is still operating. After reunification, it was only here that trams began running daily. It's been only 10 years since the Nauenburg trams restarted daily service, so to speak, and with that, this tram faced a similar fate to the narrow-gauge railways in Briegnitz. There was a long stop in Briegnitz, too, but it is now back in operation. The Pollo, a diesel locomotive from Babelsberg, along with three carriages, is how the Pollo departs on a narrow-gauge track. In the driver's cab is Sven Lieberinz, the chairman of the Pregnitz Narrow-Gauge Railway Museum, Lindenberg e. V. When the association was founded 24 years ago, it was only meant to display a few relics from the railway's history. No one believed trains would ever run here again, but Lieberinz recalls that when the volunteers came together, a momentum of its own arose. We started here in '93- it all began with a power socket at the station under the open sky. Most of the vehicles were repaired here, regardless of the weather; the lock shed was only added in 2000. Before that, everything was rebuilt outdoors. We can take pride in the club. The Pregnitz is located in the northwest of Brandenburg. The Pollo now runs again on a 9 km route from Lindenberg station to Mesendorf station. Railway enthusiasts have come from Saxony. They are narrow-gauge railway fans themselves. In Jöstadt in the Ore Mountains, the Pressnitz Valley Railway is a beautiful place - a classic railway, a small train. We are trying to portray the museum railway in the style of the 1960s, which reflects the region's decline and slow development. It's not as low as in towns and cities; that's why it remains truly rural- very rural, just like in the old pictures. That's part of the charm. It's actually the beautiful former Tönning Junction of a 20-km-long narrow-gauge railway network. The railway used to run on steam. Today, there are no operational steam locomotives left, but friends from the Pressnitztalbahn bring one here every year on a low-loader for Thomas Brand.
The highlight of the year is when we have a steam locomotive from Höstadt. Of course, it's a significant challenge. It brings back memories of my childhood. I grew up with steam locomotives that ran regularly, so there's a bit of nostalgia involved. In May, there are steam locomotive days at Polllo. This is what it looked like last year. This year, Mario Wolf from the Pressnitztalbahn is already planning for this event. We will bring a steam locomotive here again on loan. We’re also happy it has been so well received. We learn from each other about refurbishing carriages, operating locomotives, or SAS, and that definitely helps. I believe it’s a massive win for both sides. Saxony and Brandenburg support each other — it’s as simple as that. But where does the name Polllo actually come from? Who knows? At the opening, Lieberenz was there with his dog Polllo. When the train approached, the dog got scared and ran away, or probably after it. No one knows for sure anymore. The forester called the dog Polllo, and everyone thought that was the train’s name, so it has stuck in widespread usage ever since.
Pollo, that is. The people of Prnitzer are happy that many want to get to know their Po. It is on the road for about 25 days until the end of December. On the last two weekends in May and on Ascension Day, steam can be heard in the Pregnitz. We are still traveling through Naumburg on the retro tram, and everything here has been restored to its original state. The people of Naumburg affectionately refer to their tram as the "Wild Bitch," and there are two theories about why. One reason is that the steam-powered tram always hissed back then, and the other, more likely, is that the poor rails caused the passengers to be jolted back and forth constantly. Whatever the case, one thing is sure: Naumburg once had the largest model railway in the GDR, and you can still see it from Michael. Anyone who plays with this model railway has plenty of options. There are over 40 different trains here. Twelve of them can run on the tracks simultaneously. Michael Schulze from Naumburg is especially proud of this. Four decades ago, the kasermeister started building his masterpiece, and at the same time, he found time to start a family. I built the others.By Thueringer-Bahn Initiative - .
9:54
The Naumburg Tram. A report. Part 1 of 2 (2009)Since the summer of 2007, the "Wilde Zicke" (Wilde Zicke) has been operating regularly again as Line 4. Founded in 1892, it was initially closed unilaterally after the fall of the Berlin Wall to favor private transport and later operated irregularly under difficult conditions. The Naumburg tram is more than just a means of mass transit. As a landmark, it is as much a part of the city as the cathedral and the summer Cherry Festival. Join us and learn more about the current route of the Naumburg tram. Enjoy the impressive images and the unmistakable sound of the Tw 38, a Gotha ET 57.
Naumburg an der Saale is a cathedral city in the Saxony-Anhalt region of Thuringia, with around 29,000 residents. Naumburg has the smallest tram in Germany. When arriving at the central station, one of the historic and meticulously restored vehicles is already waiting for us at the terminus. The friendly and helpful drivers are ready to assist guests arriving by train. The landmark vehicles run every 30 minutes daily between the central station and the Vogelwiese. This is where our journey will now take us. Dear spectators, we cordially invite you to join us on board. The area where you can see us is called a siding, used to uncouple the traction unit during trailer operation. Founded in 1892, the Zicke, as the people of Naumburg affectionately call it, once operated as a circular line on a clockwise and counterclockwise route. Today, unfortunately, only part of that route remains, but the number of trips is growing each year. The next stop is Wesenstraße. Today, the ET57 type railcar with the car number 38 is in service. It was built in Gota in 1960. Along with three city bus lines, tram line 4 has been running since summer 2007, serving both locals and tourists regularly. The tram provides an ideal connection to the city center, known for its extensive historic buildings. The Gründerzeit quarter is just as well preserved. The largely independent track layout not only allows for an aesthetically pleasing design but also separates the tram from private traffic, which has steadily increased in recent years. The green track systems also emphasize the historical heritage of the Naumburg tram, fitting harmoniously into the cityscape. A more traffic-friendly side location has replaced the former Central Street location. Lovingly maintained parks and green spaces line our route. Next stop: Oststraße Straßenb. For the people of Naumburg, the tram has become a landmark and an integral part of the cityscape. It’s much more than just a means of transportation. We arrive at the depot. In our workshop, a large portion of the repair and maintenance work is performed by volunteers from the Nahverkehrsfreunde Naumburg eV, who support the company in the workshop and as conductors. Afterwards, we recommend a detour to the cathedral, which is located nearby. It can be reached on foot in just a few minutes—the fine restaurants in the historic old town offer culinary delights to round off the tour. After the roundabout, we reach the Marientor stop. In the background, the depot of the moated fortress shows the course of the medieval city limits. We ride the tram through almost scenic avenues to Theaterplatz, which was completely redesigned in 2009 to reflect its role as a central square. We are only a few minutes from the old town here as well. Next stop: Vogelwiese terminal station; provisional station: Vogelwiese. The Vogelwiese is regularly the site of significant events, including the legendary Cherry Festival.By Contimedia Audiovisuelle Medien - .
9:52
The Naumburg Tram. A report. Part 2 of 2 (2009)Since the summer of 2007, the "Wilde Zicke" (Wilde Zicke) has been operating regularly again as Line 4. Founded in 1892, it was initially closed unilaterally after the fall of the Berlin Wall to favor private transport and later operated irregularly under difficult conditions. The Naumburg tram is more than just a means of mass transit. As a landmark, it is as much a part of the city as the cathedral and the summer Cherry Festival. Join us and learn more about the current route of the Naumburg tram. Enjoy the impressive images and the unmistakable sound of the Tw 38, a Gotha ET 57.
You shouldn't miss this, dear spectators, because the street painters also operate their marquee. Our driver is currently helping to unload a pram. We use this short break to review some details. The technology, which has been mainly preserved faithful to the original, arouses the curiosity of many tram enthusiasts and makes us want more, and once again, it's time to board. We were heading back toward the central station at the market. On our brief detour through the old town, we immediately notice remnants of the former route.
Meanwhile, motor car 38 reaches Theaterplatz, which is still under renovation. The old and new building materials are for the renovation. The depot is easily accessible from the Post Ring stop. Our tip: why not join one of the regular demonstrations? Here, exciting insights into the technology and nature of the railway will make your heart race. Dedicated employees are happy to answer your questions. Dear spectators, let the following impressions sink in and enjoy the ride on the tram. Through Saale city, with these pictures, we say goodbye and look forward to seeing you again on the Naumburg tram.By Contimedia Audiovisuelle Medien - .


