Lokalbahnen in der Steiermark: Steiermarkische Landesbahnen by Markus Strassle
by Brian Lees

Published 1995 by Verlag Ingrid Zennert, Hindenburgerstasse 15, 38518 GIFHORN, Germany 184 Pages, approximately 240 photographs (including 60 in colour), German text, £21 approx

This is a book with much to recommend it, not only to those with an interest in the history and current state of the Steiermarkische Landesbahnen, but also to the railway modeller.

Following a brief introduction to the railways of the area, the author devotes a chapter to none lines, both standard and narrow gauge. The lines dealt with are the Murtalbahn, the Taurachbahn, the Fiestriztalbahn and the lines between Kapfenberg and Seebach/Turnau, Mixnitz and St Erhard, Peggau and Ubelbach, Gleisdorf and Weiz; Felbach and Bad Gleichenberg and Predin/Wieselsdorf and Stainz.

Each chapter follows a similar pattern: a list of data and statistics about the line; details of the background to the building of the line; a history of the line; a map showing stations/halts and distances; a description of a journey on the line; detailed track plans of main stations (plus factory connections, etc.); details of locomotives and rolling stock used on the line since its opening (including easily accessible tables of details). This pattern changes for the chapters on Club 760 and Club U44.

The book is produced on high quality paper, giving excellent reproduction of the many photographs. A reasonable knowledge of German is needed to understand the text, but the wealth of photos and the large amount of information given in lists and tables make it accessible to a wider audience.

Material from the ARG Journal, updated June 2004 Design and © Ron Ferguson