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improved and the Saxons are firmly on our side.
Line No. 4: Franconia Line (from Grantville to Nuernberg)
Track length 75 Miles
The Franconia line will cover our southern connections. Access to Bamberg would give us access to the
Main and therefore to all rivers of the Rhine. Bamberg is the traditional port where the road transit to the
Danube River starts. Nuernberg sits on this way.
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Our biggest challenge will be the crossing of the Thueringer Wald. With the chosen track we will have a
average grade of 1.5 % for about 10 miles. To get a train to the other side with its full load, we could use
the help of double traction or a bank engine. But I think for most trains that would not be necessary.
As the higher regions get more than a meter of snow for about two to three months of the year, we
should consider some snow plows to keep the track open as long as possible.
Mile 0
Grantville Junction
near the US Steel construction site outside the western rim of ROF Elevation 230m
Mile 2.7
Saalfeld el. 240m
stopping point on the northern Border of Saalfeld near the bridge.
Line 4 starts just after this stop. It stays south while the line to the Kamsdorf mines branches and turns
east. Line 4 proceeds on the left bank of the Saale for about two miles. At Kaulsdorf the track leaves the
Saale river and heads south up into the rather small valley of Loquitz creek.
A possible further siding should be at mile 8 at the village Loquitz (elevation 277). Along the Loquitz
creek are some water mills and we have the opportunity to build some more.
Mile 17.2
Probstzella el. 340m
siding
There are slate mines here. This durable and light material is used on roofs and walls in the region.
(Probstzella is barely visible in the southeastern corner of the biggest of John Biel's maps.)
Mile 19.7
Lauenstein
stopping point
This is a small border village between Thuriniga and Fraconia, with a castle brooding on a hill nearby.
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Mile 21.5
Ludwigsstadt el. 446
siding, water and coal supply, meteorological station
Just before Ludwigsstadt, we crossed the highest point in our track; we are in Franconia now. We have
access to the path/road of Rennsteig on top of Thüringer Wald.
We have to construct a big bridge (650 feet long, apex 85 feet high) over the Trogenbach valley. A
detour is not viable as it would need two very steep climbs. For the bridge I propose a wooden
construction, as it could be built fastest. Because of the long building time, the bridge has to be started
well in advance of the actual laying of track. The trestle work has to last for only ten years as it will be
replaced with a stronger structure once there is enough traffic to justify it.
As we are still high in the mountains, the bridge will be subject to strong winds. The keeper of the nearby
station will have to act as a keeper of the bridge, too. When the winds become too strong, or ice is on
the bridge, the track has to be closed.
From the bridge, the track continues straight south. A possible further siding is at Mile 29 in
Förstenberg.
Mile 35
Rothenkirchen
stopping point
This little town and its surroundings belong to Bamberg. Notable is the big Rittergut Hasslach (manor
Hasslach) nearby which escaped the destruction of the war. It might be an notable customer before long.
Mile 39
Stockheim
station, water and coal supply
A source of coal! Not only in this valley but just 100 meters away from the track. After Stockheim, the
track heads southwest.
Mile 44
Kronach
stopping point
Just before Hochstadt we cross the Main river. Here, it's still small. We are now in the Main valley and
will stay on its left (southern) bank.
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Mile 55
Hochstadt el.268m
The best road to Bayreuth starts here. It's in essence up the Main in direction southeast. The Main is
going in the general direction west but with many bends. We follow the valley but cut the bends for our
track.
Mile 56
Michelau
stopping point
Mile 58
Lichtenfels el. 271m
station, water and coal supply
Lichtenfels and Michelau have business of making cane furniture and are starting points for rafting timber
down the Main. The area we crossing now is called Fränkischer Jura. The Main comes gradually from
direction west to south in the next 20 miles. We will follow the Main until it makes another a sharp bend
to west, where the city Bamberg is situated.
The whole area to and around Bamberg is well suited for growing vegetables. A possible further siding is
a Mile 69 in Zapfendorf.
Mile 77
Hallstadt
station, major harbor
Just north of Bamberg, on the confluence of Regnitz and Main, we should build a major service center to
exchange freight between ships, trains and carriages. While the Main has a lot of bends, it gives easy
access into virtually all western parts of Germany and as well as Alsace and the Netherlands. The river is
also well suited for chain tugging.
Establishing a small yard here to build ships either of local resources or out of parts prefabricated in
Magdeburg seems to be good idea, too.
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Mile 78
Bamberg
station, water and coal supply, train depot, engine workshop, turning Y
We go further south from here and stay as usual on one side of the river, in this case, the Regnitz. The
general direction is straight south. The Regnitz doesn't have many bends but the area is swampy. The
whole area around the Regnitz valley up to Nürnberg is rich in places for mills.
Mile 85
Hirschaid
stopping point
Cane furniture, like that made in Lichtenfeld, is also made here.
Mile 89
Eggolsheim
siding
Mile 93
Forchheim
stopping point
Mile 97
Baiersdorf
station, water and coal supply
The area is renowned for its horseradish. A dire necessity if you consider the price of other spices and
the dubious taste of salted meat after a few months.
Mile 103
Erlangen
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Station
This town is now rather small but in OTL was well known for its university and its breweries. As
Erlangen could become a kind of a suburb for Nürnberg in the future, Erlangen should be part of any
railbound public transport system that is being established for Nürnberg.
Mile 112
Fürth
station
A industrial town. Mirrors, glass, furniture, needles and jewelry are being made here. Fürth is under
simultaneous rule of the bishops of Bamberg, the count of Nürnberg and the elector of Brandenburg. A
bit complicated, even by German standards.
The area between Fürth and Nürnberg is called Garlic Land (Knoblauchsland). Here is the battleground
of Alte Veste. Here Gustaph Adolph won, with the help of new guns "Made in Grantville," a decisive
victory over the imperial troops. With the help of his American allies, he was able to break Wallenstein's
army, having Wallenstein himself disabled by Julie Sims in the process (See1632 by Eric Flint). Probably
some more permanent military installations will be built here, as the place remains of strategic importance.
Just before Nürnberg, we cross the tributary river Pegnitz. The bridge has to allow for the passage of
occasional boats out of the town.
Mile 117
Nürnberg (Nuremberg)
station, water and coal supply, train depot, turning Y
In Nürnberg, we will skirt around the southern part of the walled town and place the station on its
southern outskirts. In view of its craftsmen's reputation for very fine and delicate work, it could be an
excellent place to start industries in fine mechanics. Nuremberg also has a well known trade fair and good [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]