Fowler showman’s engine Bertha
Posted by Chris Graham on 8th December 2021
Fowler showman’s engine Bertha makes its first public appearance in Switzerland with new owner, Martin Horath.
Fowler showman’s engine Bertha gets a helping hand down off the low-loader that had transported her from England to a new home in Switzerland. (Pic: Martin Horath)
It was reported in Old Glory 379 that Fowler showman’s engine Bertha had been sold to Martin Horath in Switzerland. Martin is one of the very long-standing steam enthusiasts in that country, and has owned 1900-built Fowler roller No. 8890 since February 1990. He was featured in a major article in Old Glory 288, and has a large collection of other types of steam engine, including a Swiss-built portable engine by Escher-Wyss that dates from 1876.
Bertha generating at the Katzensee miniature railway.
There was a welcoming party to greet Bertha on August 4th, when she arrived at Martin’s premises – sadly in the rain – but she was soon unloaded and put away in the big shed.
Lucky Susi, Hanspeter Landenberger’s 1912 Aveling roller (No. 7615) at his miniature railway. (Pic: Ernst Huwyler)
It wasn’t long before she was in steam and, a month or so later, she was a welcome visitor and on display at the 60th anniversary celebrations of the miniature railway at Katzensee, which is just to the north of Zürich and is owned and operated by Hanspeter Landenberger and friends. Martin is also involved with the railway and Bertha certainly generated plenty of interest from the visitors at what was her public outing under new ownership.
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