Paddle Steamer Resources by Tramscape

The Koln-Dusseldorfer Rheinschifffahrt AG (KD) has asked the Koln-Deutz shipyard how expensive it would be to procure and fit a diesel-electric unit in PS Goethe, which is currently powered by a compound diagonal unit supplied by Sachsenberg in 1913. This was establised by the Swiss steamer magazine "Dampferzeitung" which resulted from an interview with Norbert Schmitz, Operations and Marketing Director of the KD. The traditional Rhein steamer operator has, in recent years become part of larger concerns and its current owner is Premicon AG, a Munich-based company who are new owners since the paddle steamer was magnificently refurbished and reactivated at great cost after several years of lay-up, returning to service in 1996. The new owners have continued to operate the Goethe, which is more costly to run than the more modern motor-powered vessels in the fleet, recognising the commercial value of "Nostalgia" services along the most beautiful strech of the Rhine valley.

The breaking of a piston rod whilst in service in the 2007 season could have spelt an immediate end to her year's sailing had it not been for the fact that the steam engines of one of Goethe's former fleet mates had been saved from the scrapyard and were in the hands of a private owner in the Netherland, Klemens Key. The replacement piston rod was fitted with only minor adjustment, but had the engines of the "Cecilie" been scrapped along with the hull of the vessel, it would have taken a long time to and great cost to manufacture a new part. It is also anticipated that major repair work has to be undertaken soon on the engine entablature which was damaged when Goethe was sunk during World War II and only partially repaired at the time when she was raised and rebuilt for continued service after the war ended.

Faced with this potential expenditure, any commercial organisation has to review all the cost factors in deciding what action to take. Many years ago, Goethe would no doubt have been scrapped in favour of new tonnage. Now she is the last of her type in service on the German stretch of the Rhine and there are compelling arguments to retain her in service, well understood by her operators, but as indicated in the interview by Herr Schmitz, if the costs associated with Goethe were to cause the downfall of her operating company, the ship would have to be sacrificed. Those additional costs are well known to all steamer operators and enthusiasts and the current high price of fuel oil is only exacerbating the problem. The article reports that Goethe's fuel consumption is around 400 litres per hour - almost double that of an equivalent sized motor ship, and higher personnel costs arising from the need for specialist engineers to operate the engines only adds to the negative financial equation. There are other factors to consider which weigh in favour of modern motor ships if the KD were to look at the matter purely through the cold and clinical eye of a financial accountant, but as those who read this website will more than likely passionately believe, there is more to the quality of life than the "bottom-line" in the profit and loss account.

KD runs a large fleet of motor vessels but only one steam ship. Goethe will not be the difference between success and failure of the company on its own. If the company fails, it will be because the "product" (ie Rhine river cruises) is not wanted, not because PS Goethe is expensive to run. Is KD just about maximising profit at the expense of their greatest tourist asset? Probably not, but one can never tell what will happen when the "crunch" comes.

OPTIONS FOR GOETHE ?
Assuming that there is no chance of this magnificently restored vessel being completely withdrawn from service

Since the first article, fuel prices have rocketed putting further pressure on KD's finances - and the looming prospect of new safety rules applying to shipping on the Rhine, although not due to be implemented for several years are adding to the pressure ...........................

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