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RP Railsystems GmbH from Gotha has been operating scheduled timber transport in the Thuringian Forest from Schleusingen and Themar for several years. At very short notice, DB InfraGo AG decided to downgrade the track class on a section of track in Themar station. For RP Railsystems, this meant that they could no longer drive the timber trains with their Class 218 locomotives, as these have an axle weight of 20 tonnes. The alternatives to the modern Class 248 vehicles and the existing Class 218 locomotives would have been to transport all the timber by road, or to drive the timber trains in smaller sections with significantly weaker locomotives, which would mean an enormous additional expenditure of time and personnel. Because DB InfraGo cannot maintain its stations and routes, the problem is solved in an easy way by downgrading the track class, rather than tackling the problem and renewing the section in question. In order to draw attention to itself, RP Railsystems brought the steam locomotive 50 3616-5 from Schwarzenberg to the Thuringian Forest to haul its scheduled wood trains with steam traction from July 1st to 4th. The 50.35 series only has an axle weight of 15.4 tonnes and is therefore approved for the reduced route class. The diesel locomotive 107 018-4 of the V75 series was also used. It is a bit sad that such measures have to be resorted to in 2024 in order to improve the infrastructure. However, this is a real treat for photographers and friends of steam traction. In the early morning of July 2nd, 2024, the 50 hauled an empty wood train from Meiningen to Themar. This was put aside by the V60. The locomotive then went Lz back to Meiningen. In the afternoon, another empty train was pulled from Meiningen to Schleusingen. The two V100s ran at the end of the train. The highlight of the evening was the loaded Giga-Wood train, which consisted of 16 double carriages and had a total weight of around 1800 tons. The passage through Veßra and the arrival in Themar were an acoustic feast. Enjoy watching :) Max Berger was there, here is his video: • Protest steam with 50 3616 in Thuringia