Ffestiniog Travel

Wednesday 16 October to Wednesday 23 October 2013

The Harz Autumn Gala is a firm favourite amongst our winter tour programme and this year's tour will not disappoint. We return to Wernigerode to enjoy three days of steam trains with the glorious Harz Mountains as the backdrop.  It is a tour with a wonderful mix of steam, scenic views, culture and convivial company.

Day 1 - Aachen

We start our tour by taking a lunchtime Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Brussels where we connect to high speed train to Aachen. The hotel Ibis Marschiertor is just a short walk from the station.

Day 2 - Onwards to Wernigerode

We take a morning train travelling via Cologne and Hannover to Wernigerode for an afternoon arrival. Transfer to the Weisser Hirsch, our hotel for the next 5 nights.

Day 3 - The Brocken

After a free morning we depart from Wernigerode behind one of the railway's historical Mallets (built in 1897) and travel towards Drei Annen Hohne and up the Brocken reaching a height of 1,141m. The Brocken is the highest peak in the Harz Mountains, if we are lucky enough to be granted a clear day we will be rewarded with spectacular views of the tree-lined hillsides and surrounding countryside before returning to Wernigerode.

Day 4 – Eisfelder Talmuehle and Freight Trains

Today we travel between Wernigerode and Eisfelder Talmuehle with locomotive 99 6101 hauling our heritage passenger train. Joining our journey will be one of the railways flagship ‘LKM’ locomotives with a rake of mixed freight wagons. We will pass the freight train at various points and stop for runpasts to ensure plenty of photo opportunities. It is also planned to arrange a double departure from Eisfelder Talmuehle.

Day 5 - Classical Selketalbahn

Today we join our heritage train again from Wernigerode to explore the Selketalbahn.  Enroute the plan is to shunt some wagons in Elend and Benneckenstein, this should prove to be a great photo opportunity. We take the balloon loop in Stiege and make a double departure from Alexisbad. On arrival in Gernrode we take a coach transfer back to Wernigerode.

Day 6 – Wernigerode at leisure

A free day today to reflect on the weekend’s activities. The railway is operating a standard service today or there is the town to explore. The castle overlooking the town holds a fascinating museum and is well worth a visit, those not wanting to make the climb can take the road train which departs from the Market Square.

Day 7 - Wuppertal

We take the 0918 train back to Hannover, continuing by high speed line to Wuppertal, arriving early afternoon. After checking in to our hotel, the InterCity Hotel Wuppertal, the afternoon is free to explore. A local transport card is included for the Rhine-Ruhr area which, of course, includes free travel on Wuppertal’s famous suspension railway.

Day 8 - Homeward Bound

A morning departure by regional train to Cologne where we transfer via the high speed line to Brussels and finally London. Arrive back in London mid-afternoon.

Please note that the details of the Harz Gala program and the availability of the steam locomotives are subject to change.