After 55 years new fire in the firebox of Ed 3/3 # 3 LANGNAU this day. Media from DBB: The 144-year-old steam locomotive “LANGNAU” back under steam. The restoration of the steam locomotive Ed 3/3 # 3 “LANGNAU” has reached a decisive milestone. On March 29, 2025, the locomotive was fired up again for the first time in 55 years and successfully tested. In an impressive restoration campaign, the specialists at Dampfbahn Bern are working tirelessly to working tirelessly to bring the 144-year-old “LANGNAU” back to life after a decades-long back on the rails at home after decades of slumber. Immediately after the return of the historic steam locomotive Ed 3/3 No. 3 to the Emmental on January 16, 2025, the extensive overhaul work by the Dampfbahn Bern team began in the depot workshop in depot workshop in Konolfingen.
Thanks to careful preservation since its last journeys in 1970, the locomotive was in remarkably good technical condition. Nevertheless, it was necessary to do some work. Steam boiler, the fittings and the drive mechanism had to be thoroughly inspected and, where necessary, overhauled. A significant milestone reached - the goal remains in sight
The next major step followed on March 29, 2025: after 55 years of “standing time” as an exhibit at the Swiss Museum of Transport and in its external storage facility, the locomotive was was fired up again for the first time and successfully tested. The achievement of this milestone not only marks a technical achievement, but also a milestone along the way, the 144-year-old locomotive back under steam.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done: the final official boiler inspection and further finishing touches are still to come. To restore its original elegance, the “LANGNAU” locomotive must also be given a facelift. One challenge is the dismantling of the air brake equipment during its “historicization” at the time. Without these, the locomotive may not be used in a leading train. For this reason, a brake through line is installed so that the locomotive can at least be able to run with a leading locomotive. The progress made makes it clear that the ambitious goal of restoring this contemporary witness to the proud history of Swiss locomotive construction history on the weekend of May 17 and 18, 2025 on the occasion of the “150 years of the Emmental Railway” anniversary event under steam is within reach. Getting there is a fascinating process based on the dedication and passion of the committed team at Dampfbahn Bern. On the left is E 3/3 # 1 "LISE".
