How the Tegernsee Bahn intends to master the challenges of the future

Created: 04/19/2022, 07:00

By: Gerti Reichl

Not this year, as planned, but only at the beginning of 2023, the old platforms at Tegernsee station are to be raised.

© Thomas Plettenberg

Last year, Michael Bourjau (68) took over the top job at Tegernsee Bahn Betriebsgesellschaft (TBG) on an interim basis.

He stays at his post and pushes upcoming projects.

Tegernsee

– Michael Bourjau's office could easily be considered part of a museum: on the shelves are antique business books that date back to 1883, the year the Tegernsee Bahn was founded, a showcase with miniature trains from many decades, on the wall a portrait of Ferdinand von Miller, one of the founding fathers.

"It really has history and patina here," says the 68-year-old about his workplace.

The modern lamps that he had installed above the massive wooden table symbolize the destination where the journey is going.

On the one hand there is respect for the 140-year history of the last non-federally owned railway (NE-Bahn) in Bavaria, on the other hand the obligation to set the course for a modern future.

Michael Bourjau is staying until someone else wants to take over

Bourjau cleans up.

After Heino Seeger withdrew completely at the end of March - he was managing director until the end of June 2021, from then on only railway operations manager - the roles were redistributed.

Economic expert and management consultant Michael Bourjau, who as Vice Mayor of Tegernsee also represents Johannes Hagn in the town hall, will continue to take on the duties of managing director, “on an independent basis, always for a year and until someone else wants to do it”.

He invests in his new job a good two days a week, and of course he is always available.

Long-time employee Dietmar Litterscheid (54) took over the part of the operations manager.

The fact that TBG is "extremely stable" in terms of sales and otherwise a healthy company,

makes work easier for the boss of 16 employees.

After all, there are huge investments to be made.

The Tegernsee economics expert Michael Bourjau currently manages the Tegernsee Bahn Betriebsgesellschaft mbH.

© Thomas Plettenberg

The platform increase will not be due until 2023

Because the platforms date back to around 1902 - that was when the first train pulled into Tegernsee station - the long overdue platform renewal and increase from 38 to the standard 76 centimeters was actually planned for this year.

"During the planning, however, it has now emerged that we also need comprehensive waste water planning," explains Bourjau.

By May at the latest, a joint concept should be in place with the waste water association, but it is not yet clear whether it will result in larger pipes or a collecting basin.

But it should start in the first quarter of 2023.

A construction period of 200 days has been set for ongoing rail operations.

The lost time is noticeable in the cost development: The costs, which were last estimated at 3.7 million euros, are probably no longer sufficient.

Lakeside bridge in Gmund has to be renewed

Renovate or build new?

This is the question at stake for the lakeside bridge in Gmund, for which the planning contract is currently being awarded.

This measure should be tackled by 2024 at the latest.

Bourjau expects construction costs to be well over a million euros, but again with government support.

The security is still there, "but we have the pressure to tackle it," says Bourjau.

Analog signal box at Tegernsee station is a discontinued model

Although not ready for a museum, like many other things at Tegernsee station, the signal box is 30 years old and therefore analogous.

"It's still functional," assures the managing director.

To ensure that this remains the case until the renewal, there is not only a specialist available among the employees, but spare parts are also stored in the basement.

Details of the new signal box have not yet been determined.

The technology is about to change, "and then we want to be up to date".

Cornerstones for the two-million investment are currently being worked out.

The renewal will be tackled in concrete terms this year or next.

"We want to get everything important on track," announces the TBG boss full of enthusiasm.

Station area with a lot of development potential.

Is there an ideas competition?

Because there is a lot of development potential in the entire station area, Bourjau can well imagine an ideas competition.

He had already presented this proposal to the city council on behalf of the FWG parliamentary group.

4750 square meters, without track systems and engine shed, which borders on the RVO site, could be overplanned.

It would be ideal if an external planning office were hired for the project, which is being supported by the city council.

In any case, the topics "Tegernsee as a welcome point" and "mobility" should be at the forefront.

A new bus concept "with a good footprint", a taxi concept or a uniform e-bike rental system throughout the valley are already buzzing around in Bourjau's mind.

As far as the station building itself is concerned, not only the offices of the TBG on the first floor are to be gradually brought into shape.

The city as the owner is currently having three apartments on the second floor converted.

"An upgrade of the property," says Bourjau, who would like the "historic train station" to be "as beautiful as a Märklin station".

Lint trains squeak: lubrication system only a stopgap solution

The TBG, which is responsible for the 12.4-kilometer-long track between Tegernsee and Schaftlach, takes the squeaking of the Lint trains in the Gmund curve very seriously.

"The curve lubrication system is an emergency solution," admits Bourjau, which is why the Bavarian Regiobahn (BRB), as the operator of the Lint fleet, has started to replace the wheel sets in 31 trains.

Due to technical difficulties, only twelve percent were done.

It is hoped that the exchange will be completed by the end of 2022.

“Experts have said that it will do something.

Let's wait.

But if that doesn't work, then we're at our wits' end," said Bourjau.

Bourjau: Electrification will come

"This project will also come, probably in 2032," Bourjau is certain.

But he already fears an outcry from residents in Tegernsee because a power pole will be needed every 80 meters along the route.

Electric trains will then also be used.

The BRB leasing contract for the previous trains runs until 2026.

"It remains to be seen whether BRB will then take part in the new tender and also prevail." In any case, diesel trains will still be rolling on the tracks until electrification.

The electrification of the Tegernsee Bahn alone will cost around 14 million euros.

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