The Zillertalbahn steam locomotives – “black beauties” from a bygone era

Two steam locomotives were put into operation to open the Zillertalbahn - locomotive type U -, which was widespread in the austro-hungarian monarchy, with the lovely-sounding names “Raimund” and “Zillerthal”, and heralded the age of steam in the Zillertal. Just two years later locomotive no. 3 “Tirol”, a compound-steam engine typ Uv, was delivered for the final track opening Zell am Ziller to Mayrhofen. As unbelievable as this sounds, all goods and passenger trains on the Zillertalbahn were initially pulled by these three locomotives!

All three locomotives are still existing and still owned by the Zillertal Verkehrsbetriebe AG. Locomotive no. 1, “Raimund” is a monument-locomotive at Jenbacher museum, locomotive no. 2 is actually stored for restauration, and locomotive no. 3, “Tirol” is still operating our summer steam trains – 125 years after commissioning!

We have operated some of the other steam locomotives on the Zillertalbahn as part of the continuing development of the service, and locomotive no. 5 “Gerlos”, Type Uh – with superheated steam -  is a particular treat, which still operates as a regular steam engine on the Zillertalbahn. It was acquired in 1930 from the locomotive factory Krauss & Co. in Linz, and, under factory number 1521, was the last steam locomotive built there. It was mostly used for the transport of magnesite and other goods on the Zillertalbahn. Today, Gerlos is a much-loved “powerhouse” of a bygone era!

Locomotive no. 4, has a very intriguing story. It was built by Krauss & Co. Linz under factory number 6035 for the extensive Bosnian narrow-gauge network, and pulled heavy passenger and goods trains. Saved by the Club 760, which together with the Zillertalbahn enabled its extensive restoration in the steam locomotive works in Meiningen, this engine, built in 1909, still astounds our many steam train fans with its massive size. A much-admired technological jewel that is the flagship of our steam train fleet.

You will find the technical details of steam locomotives here:

Steam locomotive no. 2 "Zillertal"
Technical data sheet locomotive no. 2

Steam locomotive no. 3 "Tirol"
Technical data sheet lokomotive no. 3

Steam locomotive no. 4
Technical data sheet locomotive no. 4

Steam locomotive no. 5 "Gerlos"
Technical data sheet locomotive no. 5

Steam locomotive no. 6 "Hobby-Lok"
Technical data sheet locomotive no. 6