A winter adventure on the Harz Railway – February 2025

Our latest filming adventure took us deep into the heart of Germany’s Harz Mountains, where we spent an incredible few days capturing the magic of the Harz narrow gauge railways. From the 3rd to the 8th of February 2025, we explored the 140.4 km network of the Harzquerbahn, Selketalbahn, and Brockenbahn, filming the spectacular HSB 2-10-2 steam locomotives in action. With a stunning mix of sunshine and snowfall, the trip provided a perfect setting for showcasing these iconic locomotives at work.

Exploring the Harz Railway

The Harz Railway is a dream for any steam enthusiast, offering breathtaking scenery, challenging gradients, and the unmistakable sight and sound of steam power conquering the hills. Our journey took us across all three major routes of the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB):

• Harzquerbahn – The backbone of the network, crossing the Harz Mountains from Nordhausen to Wernigerode.
• Selketalbahn – A picturesque line with winding tracks through dense forests and historic towns.
• Brockenbahn – The legendary ascent to the summit of the Brocken, the highest peak in northern Germany, often shrouded in mist and snow.

Filming highlights

We had the opportunity to film at various iconic locations along the railway, capturing the might of the HSB’s 2-10-2 steam locomotives as they tackled the steep gradients and twisted through the winter landscapes. The combination of steam, sun, and snow created some truly breathtaking scenes, making this one of our most rewarding international filming trips yet.

• 3rd February – Our journey began with some fantastic shots along the Brockenbahn in crisp winter sunshine. See more from this day
• 4th February – Featuring shots from all three routes, on a beautifully sunny day. View our footage
• 5th February – Heavy snow created a true winter wonderland, offering dramatic scenes as the locomotives powered through the white landscape. Check out the highlights
• 6th February – Thick fog descended upon the railway, various locomotives are seen tackling the steep gradients on the Brockenbahn. See more
• 8th February – Our final day focused on the Brockenbahn, with powerful steam locomotives battling their way up the legendary climb to the Brocken summit. See our final shots

Available on our 2025 products…

Footage from this trip will be included in our 2025 review DVD and Blu-Ray products: Steaming Around Britain 2025 and From The Air: 2025 Review.

For more photos and videos from this incredible trip, be sure to visit the links above, and keep an eye out for our upcoming releases featuring the best of the Harz Railway in winter!