Leaving Ruebeland

Another shot of 185 640 in Rübeland station, following directly behind a down-hill bound train that passed through just moments earlier. I assume the train stopped at some point below and 640 was coupled to its back, because due to a switchback, freight trains are always operated with locomotives at both ends here.

This locomotive is owned by hvle (Havelländische Eisenbahn), a company originally from Berlin, who run all the freight traffic on the line under contract from Fels, the company that owns the quarries at the end and also the line itself, under a long-term lease from DB. The locomotive itself is only used on this line (generally speaking), and for this reason got the name "Rübeland". Its sister unit 185 641 (not pictured) got the name "Blankenburg".