Brocken and Hartz Railway

A

alec dawe

Railways, Cars, Wine!
SWMBO says that I need to see the Brocken etc. railway before my mobility gets
to the point that it becomes too difficult.
The organised trips don't work for us, because my wife is restricted to school holiday times, so it's a case of organise it yourself.
I'm sure this has been covered before, but can anyone give any tips about the best way to get there, (perhaps even drive?) where to stay, what hotels, how to see everything railway oriented, and what else is there to see in the area that might keep the distaff side of the trip happy?
If this has been covered, can you point me in the right direction, or if this is going to clutter up the forum, perhaps a PM?

Thanks in advance for any info.
 
There is a thread we did when me and 3 mates went there in 2011. No dout some can find it and post it on here. We flew to Hannover, the train from the airport to Hannover main then onto Wernigerode. We stayed at the Hotel Altora which just happens to have secinic views of the engine shed and coaling/ watering area and is omly a 5 mins walk to the center of Wernigerode. Its well worth the visit and the accent of the Broken mountain is something out of this world.
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View from our bedroom window as 99-7241 has it smoke box cleaned before retiring onto shed for the evening
 
We have made a number of visits to the HSB and have used different methods of travel and routes to get there. Here are a few:

a.Ferry from Harwich overnight to Hoek van Holland, train to Rotterdam, train to Utrecht, DB Intercity to Hannover, then local train to Wernigerode. Note train journey completed within a day with a good interval at Hannover. Complete rail journey booked through DieBahn 3 months in advance to get best price etc.

B. Fly to either Hannover or Leipzig/Halle.Then train to Wernigerode. Avoid Ryanair.Altenberg adds extra travelling time.

We have stayed in various hotels in Wernigerode, we particularly liked the Hotel Altora with views oh the HSB engine shed.

Some pictures of our last visit to follow.
 
Morning Keith and I drove from Cal to a campsite above the harz in the forest it was very good with power on etc., he is in a wheelchair and is the driver, the railway staff were great and got him on and off with no probs unlike other railways in Europe and the UK, here is plenty to see and a trip down the line to the other end is good. we would do it again. Les
 
well, I was rather lucky in 2011, I have this very experienced video pal who took me in his Passat from Eastbourne through the tunnel to Holland. We then did eight railways ending up with 5 days on the Hartz. His previous experience on the Harz was invaluable, he took me everywhere. Into the woods even! We only travelled once on a train, and that was to experience the Brocken. Some of the lesser known branches are incredible.
 
In addition to what I mentioned in my PM another must visit place is Eisfelder-Muhle, great junction but a patient wait here on the parallel lines will almost certainly produce the two train departure shot sooner or later.
 
Holiday booked for the week of October half term. Taking the Stena ferry to Hoek Van Holland and driving across, the AA route says about five and a half hours. Flight times don't suit well on Saturdays, but the overnight ferry seems a good idea, arriving at 07.45. Pls no weight restrictions.
SWMBO says it'll do for my 65th birthday present!
 
Have fun. There is a 3 day and a (I think) a 5 day wander ticket available. Great savings if you want to do a fair bit of travelling.
 
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