Saxony-Anhalt secures Harz narrow-gauge railways funding for 2026 and 2027

The transport contract (about EUR 9 million a year) continues, with about EUR 7 million a year for operating and investment costs and a further EUR 4 million a year to ease cost pressure; the commitments carry conditions, and concepts on network renewal, electrification, rolling stock and workshops are due by mid-2026.

On 15 December 2025 the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the shareholders of HSB agreed how to fund the narrow-gauge operator in 2026 and 2027: the transport contract worth about EUR 9 million a year stays in place, supplemented by about EUR 7 million a year for operations and investment and a further EUR 4 million a year to ease cost pressure. The money is tied to conditions; in the first half of 2026 concepts for renewing the network, a feasibility study on electrification and plans for vehicles and workshops are to be drawn up. The company employs 280 people (LOK Report, 15 Dec 2025).