Work in progress… (in the meantime, check out the article on the “Flüchtlingszüge”, October 1989)!
The above is a link to one of ecpaganini‘s excellent YouTube videos, showing “Ludmillas” hard at work in the Thüringen hills in 1997.
The most recent “Ludmilla” service train work has been on Erfurter Bahnservice’s temporary weekday commuter service from Buttstädt to Sömmerda which ran from 8th January 2018 until 2nd March 2018. This kicked off with 232 690, which was replaced from lunchtime on 25th January with 232 334. The final 232-hauled working on this turn was on the morning of 13th February 2018, after which it was replaced by a class 202.
At the moment, there is no indication that there will be a further resurgence of “Ludmilla” service train haulage in Germany, however if one thing is certain it is that even nowadays the German railway scene has the potential to surprise you. Watch this space…
Surviving Fleet
Click here for a list of currently-surviving members of the class.
Forthcoming Workings
Further railtours have been advertised for 232 haulage in Germany on Saturday 21st July 2018, Sunday 2nd December 2018, Saturday 8th December 2018 and Saturday 15th December 2018 (two clashing tours, unfortunately), along with a potential outing on Saturday 1st September 2018 (TBC). No specific painted numbers have been quoted for these at the current time.
An excellent PTG railtour in Hungary is also planned to feature 651 002 (ex-DB 232 543) from Murakeresztúr to Pécs on Saturday 19th May 2018.
European Traction 