Germany 18/05 to 24/05 2006 "Simon Brazel's 50th Birthday"
A trip to celebrate Simon Brazels birthday - his Fiftieth. A large drinking party of the 3 Brazels Simon, Sean & David, with at least Trog, Betty, Howey (armed with an advance copy of Neath's Good Beer Guide Germany) & myself. Not for the feint hearted! (New locos again denoted by #).
Thursday 18/05/2006
I actually flew to Linz as required track had appeared as the Krems - Linz now ran direct instead of via St.Valentin.
1144 270# Hörsching - Linz 1559 Attnang Pucheim - Linz 10km
Unit Linz - Grein Stadt 1706 Linz - St Nikola Studen 62km
2043 016 Grein Stadt - Linz 1701 Krems - Linz 62km
Quite a few hours here I wonder what I did - of course Beers (& a little food) in the brewpub!
101 090# Linz - München Ost 2030 Budapest - München 280km
Daily Total = 414km
Friday 19/05/2006
A whole morning in Munchen to kill - Rabbits! Increase my Kliks with hopefully a few new....
218 400 München - Dorfen 0619 München - Mühldorf 47km
218 403#) Dorfen - Markt Schwaben 0646 Mühldorf - München 26km
218 440)
218 426 Markt Schwaben - Hörlkofen 0707 München - Mühldorf 8km
218 344 Hörlkofen - München Ost 0658 Mühldorf - München Ost 29km
218 178) München Ost - München Hbf 0649 Simbach - München 10km
218 350)
218 161 München - Kaufbeuren 0852 München - Fussen 88km
218 469 Kaufbeuren - Buchloe 0907 Fussen - München 20km
218 402) Buchloe - München 0716 Zurich - München 68km
218 428)
Grabbed some snacks & a couple of bottled beers for the days main move - a pair of 218's over the new fast route to Nuremberg with the locos booked to work throughout to Dresden. I think it was a Fridays Only working, but could be wrong. I was joined on this by all the participants of the Birthday trip.
218 178) München Hbf - Glachau 1219 München - Dresden 477km
218 350)
Oh dear, 218 178, more used to the flatter lands north of Hamburg, couldn't cope with the rolling hills of Bavaria & beyond and gave up the ghost around about Glachau. Still 218 350 soldiered on through to Dresden - with the loss of some 113km's on 178.
218 350) Glachau - Dresden 1219 München - Dresden 113km
218 178 DIT)
Never being keen on the "East", the Dresden area being new territory for me, indeed a lot of new track for diesel on the way here with the 218's. But we were not here for the trains (for a change). We soon checked into our Hotel for the next 3 nights then it all gets a bit foggy........
I know we didn't stray far this evening, it was fairly late by the time we'd all checked in & sorted out who was sharing with whom room wise etc. Still plenty of drinking time (until about 2am if I remember rightly) even if spent in more "trendy" locations than we would normally be found.
Daily Total = 886km
Saturday 20/05/2006
After last nights beer intake only a brave few headed out - me, Howey & Betty for definite not sure if any others did some moves or just had a lie in?
143 015# Dresden - Radebeul Ost 0640 Bad Schandau - Meissen Triebischtal 10km
A quick out & back on the steam hauled route to Radeburg, new track for all 3 of us.
99 1746# Radebeul Ost - Radeburg 0755 Radebeul Ost - Radeburg 17km
As we were all grown ups we decided to sit in the open coach on the return & bellow (the fresh air helping with my headache at least)
99 1746 Radeburg - Radebeul Ost 0908 Radeburg - Radebeul Ost 17km
143 122# Radebeul Ost - Dresden 0940 Meissen Triebischtal - Bad Schandau 10km
143 562# Dresden - Heidenau 1010 Meissen Triebischtal - Schona 11km
Unit Heidenau - Geising xxxx Heidenau - Kurort Altenburg xxkm
First beer stop of the day was the Geising Ratskeller, open since 2002, to sample their brews.
Unit Geising - Weesenstein xxxx Kurort Altenburg - Heidenau xxkm
Our next port of call was an entirely different matter - a Brewpub in a proper Castle!
We were visiting Schlossbrau, in the Schloss Weesenstein. We were met at the main gate into the Castle by the Head-Brewer (as prearranged) & he guided us through the Castle to the Brewery / Bar. After a short tour of the brewing facilities time to get down to the afternoon's main aim - drinking the Beers!
This was our main drink of the afternoon, a few chairs were arranged outside on the ramparts where we could view the impressive Castle Gardens whilst supping our Beers. Very civilized.
Unit Weesenstein - Heidenau xxxx Kurort Altenburg - Heidenau xxkm
143 875# Heidenau - Dresden Pieschen 1831 Schona - Meissen Triebischtal - Schona 18km
Off at Pieschen station for the near 1km walk to the impressive Watzke Brewpub, housed in a former Ballroom overlooking the Elbe. Again very well-to-do, someone was even tinkling the Ivory's on a Grand Piano. I remember the beers here were also extremely good!
Tonight across Germany a massive Storm Front passed over, so much so that a DOZEN Tornadoes were recorded nationally! As it came over Dresden we were already in the Watzke, it certainly got busier inside when all those in the Beer Garden dashed inside for cover.
After the Schloss & the Watzke we needed to get back to the dark & dingy sort of place where we all felt more at home - so a tram to the Neustadter Hausbrauerei Brewpub. Well we would have liked a Tram but they all seemed to be suspended after the storm!
We decided the long walk would do us good, if the pub was closed due to the late hour no loss as we hadn't actually planned to visit until the following night. So avoiding the blown over bins, tree branches and other obstacles to be found on the walk off we set. Some of the street corners proved interesting as the wind tried to take you off your feet!
On arrival at the Neustadter Hausbrauerei (one of only 2 places recorded to brew Cider in Germany at the time) we not only found no Cider (good I can't stand the stuff) but our sort of place with a Hellfire "Hell" Beer! They also brew a "Lenins Hanf" (Hemp beer, Motto: "don't smoke, just drink") I'm sure Simon Brazel would have gone straight onto that.
What can I say about the pub? OUR sort of place! Within about 15 minutes the Brazel's were conversing with the locals like long-lost relatives and me, Betty & Howey were playing other locals on the pool table. The Beer was going down a treat. We didn't get to the place until about 23:30pm, the pubs opening hours were advertised as "from 1400" and the night just went on - and on!
I think at something like 3am Simon finally said "Drink up Lads - we don't want to spoil tomorrow" (even though it would be later today!). Handshakes all round with promises to return the next night.
Daily Total = 83km
Sunday 21/05/2006
143 081# Dresden - Dresden Neustadt 0840 Bad Schandau - Meissen Triebischtal 4km
Unit Dresden Neustadt - Görlitz
I'm not saying we had a lot to drink on this trip but until recently I thought we did nothing all day today other than recover from yesterdays excesses, then on a Zoom reunion meeting during Lockdown Neath tweaked my memory, talking about something involving Görlitz. I said I'm sure I've been drinking there - Neath replied "you went there on Simon's Fiftieth bash" - good knowledge from someone not even on the trip! He then informed me of the days events!
I was wondering why my only recorded move today was a 143 Dresden Hbf to Dresden Neustadt, it was a winner & obviously preceded the unit that we were doing to Görlitz, at least to Neustadt.
First port of call (apparently) was Fritz Bräu, a Micro set in the four star Bon Apart Hotel.
We now headed towards the River Lausitzer Neiße, the Obermühle Pension, Pub & Brewery being on the banks of the river & just 75metres from the Polish Border. We were all keen to try their Pilsner Dunkel - I'd certainly never had a Dark one before.
On arrival we walked round the side of the pub only to find the doors to be locked! I peered inside (remarkable what comes back to you when reminded of events!), no sign of life. We'd come a long way, what to do next.
Sean then got involved, spotting someone getting onto his bicycle outside the Brewhouse, I think he was going home for lunch - Sean's silver tongue soon imploring him of all the efforts our GB Drinking Team had made to come and try their fine beers. Sure enough within ten minutes the doors were unlocked & we had our own private session in the "Closed" pub! (It seems the owners were on holiday but were due back later that day to re-open tomorrow). I think we should all club together & treat Sean to a Schweinhaxe (I hope he only eats the one, he has been known to eat TWO the same day - on more than one occasion)!
We returned to the Neustadter Hausbrauerei, the regulars were somewhat thinned out from the previous night, at least one of whom couldn't face drinking beer this evening. Nothing to do with us surely...
Another fine session, of course with work looming for the locals in the morning not a late one, back in the Hotel for midnight.
Daily Total = xxkm
Monday 22/05/2006
Time to leave the environs of Dresden and head back to the more familiar region of Franconia in Bavaria.
101 115# Dresden - Reichenbach 1017 Dresden - Karlsruhe 152km
218 374) Reichenbach - Nürnberg 1017 Dresden - Karlsruhe 239km
218 358)
Once we reached Hof I decided to leave our Compo & relocate to the Buffet car - after all theses loco hauled services were due to finish with this timetable, so being my last chance to view the rolling hills of northern Bavaria behind premier traction, I would do so while supping Wheat Beer.
One of our party came down & asked what I was up to, two or 3 of the others then came & did the same - a fitting final run over these hills.
143 275# Nürnberg - Roth 1604 Nürnberg - Treuchtlingen 26km
A visit to the Goldener Schwann, Tap of the Roth Stadtbrauerei, owned by the town. Only a quick pint as we didn't realise how long it would take us to walk here from the station.
Daily Total = 443km
After checking into the Hotel and various types of fast-food being consumed, something a little different - an evening sampling 2 Free Houses, are rare commodity in Germany but pubs like the famous Hütt'n (also in Nuremberg) had started a trend.
So an evening mixing with the trendy, younger drinkers. We started at the Café Express, not far from the south side of the main station. A range of 5, locally brewed, draught beers - we stayed for several in here before moving on to Landbierparadies about 1km further south. Only the 1 draught beer here but plenty of bottles from Franconia's small country brewers to sample. Nice to have an evening doing something a little different.
Tuesday 23/05/2006
Todays drinking plan was to do four new breweries, 2 near to the town of Saal including the world famous Schneider Weiss, then a train journey of some 150km's for 2 more in Sulzbach-Rosenburg.
111 174 Nürnberg - Regensburg 0936 Nürnberg - München 101km
111 052 Regensburg - Saal 1045 Regensburg - Ulm 25km
A bus for the 3km journey to Affecking for the Frischeisen brewery. We got off the bus and walked over to the pub "Ruhetag" (Rest Day). Prior to the publication of Neath's Good Beer Guide Germany (www.Camra.org.uk/Books or www.german-breweries.com), of which we had an advance copy, this word spread fear over the committed Beer Explorer.
Ok if you lived local & the Landlord said "I'm going to a Funeral next week so will be closed Wednesday instead of Thursday" but no good at all if you travelled across Germany to sample the beer (or even further) and the establishment was closed. Even worse, you could find out the booked Ruhetag day prior to your trip (not always easy in the 90's) only to arrive and find the Owner had permanantly changed days at some point. This place was supposed to be closed only on a Friday!
Even some notable German beer drinkers have had a go at me over the years when we've turned up to a closed pub - a plan is only as good as the info.
Enough of that, banging on the door didn't gain us entry, nothing for it but to wait at the bus stop for 45 minutes then. This bus took us into Kelheim proper, Affecking being a suburb of Kelheim.
To the Schneider Weiss Brewery Tap, very large scale & full of a coach load or 2 of elderly Germans enjoying some beers over lunch. Only room for us in the beer sampling area around the bar unfortunately.
Sadly I couldn't get a handle on their beers, I've never really drank them since. Unusual to say the least.
111 041# Saal - Abensberg 1445 Regensburg - Ulm 15km
111 072 Abensberg - Regensburg 1244 Ulm - Regensburg 40km
218 203 Regensburg - Schwandorf 1444 Münich - Leipzig 42km
Me & Sean legged it to the Schmidt-Bräu brewery Tap - just time for a quick one, this winner brewery made up for missing out in Affecking earlier. The others had a more leisurely pint in the station buffet.
218 311 Schwandorf - Sulzbach-Rosenburg 1315 Prague - Nürnberg 38km
We were visiting two brewery Taps here, Fuchsbeck & Sperber Bräu.
Fuchsbeck proved very civilised, we even got a short scan around the brewery before settling down to try a couple of the brews - very nice too.
Likewise Sperber Bräu served very good beers, in a modern building. Altogether Sulzbach-Rosenburg seems a nice place to live!
Unit Sulzbach-Rosenburg - Nürnberg xxxx Schwandorf - Nürnberg xxxkm
Daily Total = 261+xxx km
Wednesday 24/05/2006
Ibade farewell to the rest of our party, an overnight move to get up to Hamburg as I was flying home from Lubeck.
101 114# Nürnberg - Hamburg Hbf 0131 Nürnberg - Hamburg Altona 608km
A few hours covering Rabbit diagrams in the vain chance of a winner.
218 339 Hamburg Hbf - Hamburg Wandsbek 0824 Hamburg - Ahrensburg 6km
218 458 Hamburg Wandsbek - Hasselbrook 0812 Bargteheide - Hamburg 2km
218 330 Hasselbrook - Hamburg Hbf 0826 Ahrensburg - Hamburg 4km
218 488) Hamburg Hbf - Lübeck 0905 Hamburg - Kiel 62km
218 493)
218 321 Lübeck - Bad Oldsloe 1007 Lübeck - Hamburg 23km
218 399#) Bad Oldsloe - Lubeck 1005 Hamburg - Lübeck 23km
218 435)
218 488 Lübeck - Hamburg Hbf 1107 Lübeck - Hamburg 62km
218 322 Hamburg Hbf - Lübeck 0544 Frankfurt - Puttgarden 62km
I seem to remember a couple of small bars had opened in the street opposite this developing airport - a couple of Wheat beers drank in one of these to tide me over to avoid the ching for small cans of fizz lager on the plane.
91106 Peterborough - Doncaster 1830 Kings Cross - Leeds 80miles
Daily Total = 852km
Total KM = 2744km Daily Average = 392km
Total Moves = 39 Average per Move = 70km
Well, what an excellent trip. What it didn't do train wise was more than compensated by the many and varied new breweries and Taps we visited. This is what happens when you Drink with the Experts (I'm just a novice myself (ahem)). Now just to rest for about 2 months to let my body recuperate...
Cheers Poodle.
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