Langelsheim–Altenau (Oberharz) railway

The Langelsheim–Altenau (Oberharz) railway was a standard-gauge branch line railway in the Harz mountains of Germany. It ran from Langelsheim, on the Brunswick Southern Railway, to Altenau in the Upper Harz (Oberharz) region.

The railway was primarily built to serve the mining industry in the Altenau area, which was historically a significant source of ore. Construction began in the late 19th century and the line opened in 1896. The route traversed challenging terrain in the Harz mountains, requiring significant engineering works including bridges and embankments.

Passenger services operated on the line, connecting Altenau and surrounding villages to the national rail network. However, freight traffic, particularly the transport of ore and timber, was the primary focus of the railway.

Following the decline of mining operations in the region, both freight and passenger traffic decreased substantially. The line eventually closed to passenger traffic in the 1970s. Freight services continued for a short time afterward, before the entire line was eventually decommissioned and dismantled.

Today, little remains of the former Langelsheim–Altenau railway. Sections of the former trackbed are used as hiking and cycling trails, offering views of the Harz landscape.