Source: flickr.com
Vehicle type: Diesel railcar
Registration country: Germany
Railway companies: GME - Georgsmarienhütte Eisenbahn- und Transport GmbH
1966
These old state railway vehicles were not particularly reliable. By 1972, both railcars had engine failures, leading the GME to use them as unpowered passenger coaches with diesel locomotive operation. This setup, which required additional staff to operate the railcars as control cars, was maintained until passenger services ended.
Decline of Passenger Services
Despite efforts to improve services, including rerouting trains to the DB station at Hasbergen in 1974, ridership declined steadily. In 1972, 130,800 passengers used the trains; by 1977, this number had dropped to 76,408. The decline was attributed to increased car usage, economic difficulties in the steel industry, and the near-closure of the Georgsmarienhütte steelworks. The remaining passenger traffic was primarily school commuters.
In 1978, the Osnabrück district took over the line, integrating it into the Wittlager Kreisbahn (later VLO). Passenger services ceased on October 1, 1978. The unused railcars remained in Georgsmarienhütte for years, eventually scrapped or sold to museums and enthusiasts.
Sources: https://www.drehscheibe-online.de/foren/read.php?017,8695347
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Latest update on the 8th of December 2024 at 17:31
Contributor(s): Tudor C.
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