Germany

The Velsen coal mine was sunk in 1899 and the Gustav II shaft was developed between 1913 and 1917. In 1965 the mine was amalgamated into the Warndt complex which finally closed in 2005 with this shaft then being partially filled. The surviving surface buildings and headgear of the Gustav II shaft are considered a "top-class ensemble" of the Saarland mining industry and are listed structures. Inside the winding house is preserved the original steam winding engine made at the Dingler works.

Blast furnaces at Dillingen steelworks. Dillinger Hütte GTS specialises in the production of heavy plate. The company was founded in Founded in 1685 and is Germany's oldest joint stock corporation.

Torpedoes loading iron under the No.4 blast furnace at the Dillingen steelworks. The locomotive is Henschel DHG 500 C 31112 of 1965. Dillinger Hütte GTS specialises in the production of heavy plate. The company was founded in Founded in 1685 and is Germany's oldest joint stock corporation.

99 6001 runs round the train at Harzgerode. This is the terminus of the short branch up from Alexibad on the Selketalbahn.

The Brandenburg Gate in the rain.

Water tower at Nordhausen railway depot.

99 7239-9 bashing up the hill towards Drei Annen-Hohne with a train for the Brocken. We were heading for Nordhausen and the timetable is somewhat confusing as it does not make it clear that you need to change trains at Drei Annen-Hohne as it looks as if this train is straight through. Luckily I was able to find this out and a hasty exit was made onto the waiting train before we were whisked off up the mountain. There were three trains in the station at Drei Annen-Hohne and as we departed for Nordhausen there was a further train waiting to come in off the Brocken line. A really busy country junction scene.

Taking in the sights in one of the quiet streets of the World Heritage listed old town of Quedlinburg.

Aren't these just the best door handles ever? These were spotted in a back street in Nordhausen old town.