For 126 years, the metre-gauge tramway which rund between the spa town of Bad Schandau and the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall (waterfall) has provided access to the charming Kirnitzschtal valley, east of Dresden in the Sächsische Schweiz (“Saxon Switzerland”) National Park.
Until the 1990s, tramcars from before the Second World War were used here in regular service. In order to maintain the appearance of the historic tramway, which is particularly attractive to the many tourists, it was decided not to purchase modern low-floor trains, even though one such vehicle – on loan from Halle/Saale – was being tested in Bad Schandau. Instead, two-axle tramcars of the well-known former GDR standard ‘Gotha’ model, which had been acquired second-hand from various other transport companies over the years, have been in use for a long time. These purchases made it possible to have three sets each composed of one motor car and two matching trailers during the summer season.
In order to have a reserve in case of repairs and for additional special trips, Verkehrsbetriebe Regionalverkehr Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge GmbH (RVSOE), the operator of the Kirnitzschtalbahn, acquired another Gotha trailer several years ago, which was used in public service for the first time this season. It is numbered 27. Like the other vehicles, it underwent a comprehensive general refurbishment before being restarting service.
For special trips, it can also be used behind the 1938-built motor car no. 8 (ex Lockwitztalbahn Dresden ex Erfurt), thus increasing operational flexibility. In addition, Dresden work car no. 201 011, which was about to be scrapped by DVB, was acquired, too, and was transferred to the Kirnitzschtal in December 2023. However, its refurbishment and further use is not yet imminent; it is stored in the depot located outside Bad Schandau.
The fleet currently consists of the following vehicles:
Motor cars:
| 1 | Gotha T57, 1957 | 1992 ex Plauen 61 |
| 2 | Gotha T57, 1957 | 1992 ex Plauen 63 |
| 3 | Gotha T57, 1958 | 1995 ex Plauen 73, 1964 ex Klingenthal ET 198 05 |
| 4 | Gotha T57, 1960 | 1995 ex Zwickau 956 |
| 5 | MAN, 1927 | |
| 6 | Gotha T57, 1960 | 2007 ex Denkmal Radeburg, 2005 ex Jena 103 |
| 8 | Gotha 1938 | 1977 ex Lockwitztalbahn, 1968 ex Erfurt |
| 9 | Bautzen, 1925 | 1979 ex Lockwitztalbahn |
| 201 011 | Gotha T57, 1959 | 2023 ex Dresden 201 011, 1966 ex Karl-Marx-Stadt 801 |
Trailers:
| 12 | MAN, 1928 | |
| 21 | Gotha B2-62, 1963 | 1984 ex Leipzig 470/truck ex Halle 367 |
| 22 | Gotha B2-62, 1963 | 1985 ex Leipzig 465/truck ex Halle 368 |
| 23 | Gotha B2-62, 1963 | 1986 ex Leipzig 467/truck ex Halle 370 |
| 24 | Gotha B2-62, 1963 | 1987 ex Leipzig 468/truck ex Halle 421 |
| 25 | Gotha B2-64, 1966 | 1995 ex Zwickau 984 |
| 26 | Gotha (Tatra) B2-D, 1968 | 1995 ex Zwickau 995, 1973 ex Halle 471 |
| 27 | Gotha B2-64, 1966 | 2016 ex Jena 199, 1987 ex Gera 267 |
All Gotha standard trams from the 1950s and 1960s only have doors for boarding and alighting on one side, as all stops are on the same side of the road. Like the other vehicles, they are nevertheless bidirectional trams.
Historic trams 5, 8 and 9 plus trailer 12 are part of the heritage fleet and are used on special occasions, supported by the Förderverein Kinitzschtalbahn e.V. (Kinitzschtalbahn Friends’ Association).
A visit to the Kirnitzschtalbahn is worthwhile at any time of year simply because of the charming landscape with its various walking and hiking opportunities. The tramway contributes to the attractiveness of the tourism concept, not least as a pleasant form of environmental-friendly transport. Bad Schandau is easy to reach from Dresden by S-Bahn, and a steamboat trip on the Elbe is also highly recommended if you have a little more time to spare.
