Hard Teeth Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The Drachenfels Railway or Drachenfelsbahn is a mountain railway line starting in Königswinter (69 m) on the bank of Rhine river. It climbs to the Drachenfels mountain at an altitude of 289 m.
The line is 1.5 km long and has a rail gauge of 1.000 mm It is a rack railway and it overcomes a height difference of 220 m and a maximum gradient of 20%. The line is electrified, with overhead supply. The service is operated with a fleet of four four-wheel electric railcars, built between 1955 and 1960, plus a fifth identical railcar built by the railway itself in 1979.
The line opened, with steam traction, on July 13, 1883. It was converted to electric traction in 1953, with steam trains retained for use in times of peak traffic. On September 14, 1958 the railway suffered a serious accident when a steam train derailed, resulting in 17 deaths and ending the use of steam on the line.

My picture shows the cograil at the beginning of a passing point in the middle of the railway line.

You can see a picture of the railway here.
In the workshop you can see Rhine river with the Drachenfels.

Using the map "view" function at the left you can zoom in (please click several times at +) exactly to the valley station in Königswinter besides the Autobahn there.

snunney, Brian, robertosalguero, jhm, thor68, meyerd, ktanska, jlynx has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

robertosalguero (110) 2007-09-30 20:54

I would hate to get my foot caught in those rails. Nice details and interesting subject to picture here. The rails are not flat as I think they should be. Good light and cropping of this scene. Thanks and have a good week Frank.

Roberto

Brian (1) 2007-09-30 20:58

Hi Frank,
I just saw the movie The Train with Burt Lancaster, and thought of it as soon as I saw this photo. I knew these cog teeth would definitly be used to draw a train/car up a high grade hill. Well, I'm glad you shared this, because technology is amazing. I love to learn things like this.
Your photo is quite good as well. It looks as if you included the switch or something. Very derailed, I mean detailed image.

Take care,
Brian

jasmis (50979) 2007-09-30 23:11

Fine technical element. Interesting, didactic note, as well.
Impressive presentation.
Regards my dear friend.

snunney (35464) 2007-10-01 0:42

Hello Frank,
A good capture of this cog railway, which makes for an unusual and interesting subject. Superb natural tones and detail

jhm (83298) 2007-10-01 3:31

Guten Tag Frank,

Very well detailed picture this is very well done.
The technic of the train rails in the mountains, you image have a nice quality and sharpness, very well done. TFS.

Have a nice week,
John.

meyerd (1498) 2007-10-01 12:46

Lieber Frank,
das Interessanteste an einem Zahnradgeleise sind die Weichen! Und hier hast Du eine liebevoll ins Bild gesetzt. Im Zug hört sich die Fahrt über eine Weiche, wie ich mich erinnere, entsprechend abenteuerlich an. Schön gemacht!

herzlich grüsst Dich aus dem herbstlichen Marly,
Dieter

bucanas (2209) 2007-10-02 4:18

Hello Frank,
Good idea,nice shot.
Ralf

ktanska (16695) 2007-10-03 2:54

Hi Frank,
Turnouts on cogwheel rails look complicated and require careful machining. Good diagonal composition. I think it's slightly overexposed though.
Thanks for the note!
Kari

jlynx (11380) 2007-10-03 4:19

Hello Frank,
With the treat I look into Your portfolio and I always will find here something interested and attractive. The interested tale about mountain railway very nicely you supplied documentary evidence with the excellent picture. Similar railway I saw in Czech Republic going on Moravia. Returning to photo I will say, that very pleases me sloping framing, good contrast underlining theme of photo, and sharpness and colouring.
Best regards from again solar Poznañ,
Jurek

LEA (4821) 2007-10-03 12:41

A wonderful world of Iron .

mrcrow (3989) 2007-10-05 11:15

strong graphic shapes and good engineering eye
i have been on these in austria
heres a little poem
the funicular railway poem