18th July 2015 - Vineyard ViewingSaturday 18th July 2015. There were two things originally on the agenda today, the “Nostalgie Express Leiser Berge” from Wien Praterstern to Ernstbrunn and the “Reblaus Express” between Retz and Drosendorf, booked to be hauled by a class 2143 and 2043 respectively. A problem then became apparent when we noticed that the times for the trip to Ernstbrunn were only for one trip out in the morning and back in the afternoon. In previous years it had fitted in a return journey to Korneuburg in the middle of the day, thus enabling a return to the main line in time to catch a train to Retz for the final trip of the Reblaus Express. Unless there was a suitably timed bus back from Ernstbrunn we would have to make do with a short trip to Korneuburg just to scratch the loco in but our dilemma was solved when a check of the Regiobahn website shortly before setting off from home revealed that the train wasn’t running today due to engineering works. 2143 062 at Ernstbrunn23rd September 2012. 2143 062 fires up reay for the return on "Nostagie Express Leiser Berge" EZ7389 11:50 Ernstbrunn to Korneuburg. A revised plan was worked out involving a trip to Retz for the first run of the “Reblaus Express” then going to Krems for 2050.04 on NÖVOG’s Wachaubahn service between Krems and Emmersdorf a d Donau. As we passed Korneuburg en route to Retz, the reason for the “Leiser Berge” train not running was easily spotted as there was a large crane parked on the start of the Ernstbrunn branch which was assisting with installing some track work on the mainline. There was single line working past the site on the other mainline and we couldn’t help reflecting that any similar work in the UK would mean all lines being closed and trains replaced by busses! On arrival at Retz we found a couple of freight trains stabled there as well as 2043.53 and the usual train of four wheeled coaches, our first new loco for nearly three days. The line to Drosendorf is quite a scenic run as it leaves Retz and heads uphill, curving though the vineyards which give the train it’s name (reblaus is German for a vine louse) with good views across the town. It takes about 90 minutes for the train to get to Drosendorf, including a 20 minute stop at Hessendorf Anglerparadies where it was possible to buy refreshments or even some smoked fish, there were some in the process of being smoked in a kiln outside the shop whilst we were there, no doubt having been caught in the adjacent lakes. The loco was quickly run round at Drosendorf even though the return journey wasn’t for 45 minutes and as it was attached to the other end of the train a tatty yellow van drew up next to it, the driver opened the rear doors, proceeded to unroll a hose and screw it into the fuel filler of the 2043. A peek into the rear of the van revealed a large plastic tank inside, we can only presume that it was cheaper to fuel the loco in this manner than using the ÖBB facilities at Retz, assuming that such resources still exist there. 2043.53 at Drosendorf18th July 2015. Taking fuel from a road van whilst working the "Reblaus Express". It was time for lunch on the return journey so we relocated to the buffet car where the keen staff serve a nice selection of open sandwiches and home-made cakes, just right when washed down with the local wine. It would have been nice to have lunch in Retz as we have done in the past, but there was no time to waste if we wanted to do the Wachaubahn as well so it was straight back to Florisdorf on arrival at Retz, a quick trip on the S bahn across to Heligenstadt where we had time to grab a nice cold drink before heading to Krems where 2050.04 was waiting. This was a bonus as the usual loco, 2043.24, was indisposed and we rather like these German-built GM engined machines though the nature of the line and the load of two coaches meant that there was never going to be large amounts of “thrash” from the front end. The line follows the river Donau (Danube), threading its way through more vineyards and used to go beyond Emmersdorf right through to St. Valentin but the section between Emmersdorf and Sarmingstein was finally closed in 2009 due to the general state of the infrastructure. This section, as well as another stretch of line near Spitz had suffered badly though rockfalls over the years and the associated speed restrictions past these sites had made the central section of the line unviable. 2050.04 at Emmersdorf a d Donau18th July 2015. On R16954 16:00 Krems / Donau to Emmersdorf a d Donau. We had about 35 minutes at Emmersdorf, ample time to take some photos before returning to Krems where we had intended to have dinner but the place we had in mind had closed and with no other restaurants immediately visible we had to make a snap decision whether to try and find somewhere else and eat in just over an hour or head straight back to Vienna. We chose to go straight back to Heilgenstadt and catch the S Bahn to Handelskai where it looked as if there might be some places to eat but the only place we could find within a short walk that wasn’t a bar or café was a McDonalds. These and similar such establishments are normally a place of last resort as far as we are concerned but it was getting late now and we were hungry so needs must!
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