Intoduction to the Wassertalbahn

The July 2008 catastrophe

The Wassertalbahn is the last original narrow gauge forest railway in Romania.  It is situated in the utmost northern part of the country in the beautiful Carpathian mountain area.  The line is more than 55 km long and is used to transport wood for the forest to the factory in the valley. In an area where there are no roads it is the only link between the forest area and the city (Viseu de Sus).

The line is the property of the local Wood company (AG HOLZ) which uses the line for the daily production trains hauled by diesel engines. A Swiss/Romanian railway society is very keen tot preserve this unique industrial monument. The society conserved several original steam engines which are used for the summer tourist trains in this very unique environment. But these steam locos are also used for the production trains if one of the two diesel locos are out of service. 

Without any notice a local disaster hit the railway on July 26, 2008. Heavy thunderstorms and heavy rains suddenly hit the area. As a result the water level in the water levels in the river "Vases" raised in a couple of hours to an all time high record.
The tourist train with 150 guests and the production train got stuck in the forest. Great parts of the railway were destroyed by the raising water and the passengers and crew had to spend the night in the forest until they were reached by rescue workers the next day.

Since the railway follows the riverbanks, many parts of the railway and bridges has been washed away.

We need all the (international) support we can get to help the people of Visue de Sus and the railway society to rebuild the line and the infrastructure.
The line was crucial for the local economy. Many of the men  Visue the Sus are employed at the wood company, and railway line and the local economy started to grow since tourists discovered this unique industrial monument.

For more information on the disaster <Click here> and how you can help <Click here>