Expansion before World War I Narrow-gauge railways in Saxony

switch tower in zittau

within 20 years, saxon narrow-gauge railway network had reached final size. after 1900, few additional railways added. additions existing lines brought operational advantages.

although narrow-gauge network made little profit, important industrial development of saxony. without narrow-gauge tracks – permitted industrial sidings small companies in narrow , steep valleys – industrial development in poor ore mountain area of saxony have hardly been possible.

however, evident narrow-gauge railways not task cargo demands. mainly, transloading of freight between breaks of gauge time consuming , expensive. avoid additional cargo handling on dresden-klotzsche–königsbrück line, container system tested ( umsetzkästen ) in whole cargo box of freight car transferred between standard , narrow-gauge frames. since railway converted standard gauge shortly after, tests abandoned. instead, roll-block traffic favored. however, evident piggy-backing standard-gauge freight cars onto narrow-gauge tracks did not meet initial goals of operating narrow-gauge railways on small budget: railways needed large investments reinforce tracks, increase structure gauge accommodate larger loading gauge , acquire stronger steam locomotives.