Ffestiniog Travel

Saturday 8 September to Saturday 22 September 2012

Local railways, including narrow gauge steam lines, thrived in Eastern Germany during the Cold War and many have survived and continue doing the job for which they were built. Several still run a year-round service and, together, make for a fascinating holiday combining the magic of steam with stunning scenery and interesting towns and cities.

Day 1   High speed to Cologne

By Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Brussels with connecting service to Cologne for an overnight stay.

Day 2   Heading for Dresden

We travel to Dresden where we stay for 4 nights. Our hotel is opposite the station and within easy walking distance of the city’s main sights. A city transport pass is valid for the duration of our stay.

Day 3   Narrow Gauge in the Dresden area

There are two narrow gauge steam lines which are almost within city limits and so we are able to ride the Weisseritztalbahn in the morning and Radeburg in the afternoon. This still leaves some time available for city sightseeing.

Day 4   Zittau

A short journey from Dresden by main line train takes us to Zittau, close to the Czech border. Here we find yet another steam survivor operating on two routes to Kurort Oybin and Jonsdorf. We have time to ride both lines before returning to Dresden in time for an evening meal.

Day 5   Cranzahl and Oberwiesenthal

We head first along the main line in the direction of Chemnitz but change at Flöha to an attractive branch line heading south into the mountains. At the sleepy town of Cranzahl we will find a steam train simmering peacefully on the adjoining platform. The train will take us through delightful forest and upland scenery to Oberwiesenthal where we arrive in time for lunch. Return to Dresden by the same route.

Day 6   Onwards to Stralsund

Today we head first to Berlin, then to Stralsund in northern Germany. This city was once a Hanseatic port and has a long seafaring tradition. Once again, our hotel is centrally located, next to the station.

Day 7   The Molli

A short journey via Rostock brings us to Bad Doberan, home of the first of our steam railways, known affectionately as the Molli. The line runs to the coastal resort of Bad Kühlungsborn and its steam train famously runs through the streets of Bad Doberan just inches from pavement restaurants! The afternoon is free to explore Bad Doberan further or return for some city sightseeing in Rostock. Continue at leisure to Stralsund.

Day 8   The Island of Rügen

The Baltic Sea, or Ostsee as it is known in Germany, is a popular seaside resort for German people and the island of Rügen is a particular favourite destination. Its narrow gauge railway and steam trains are an important tourist attraction. We ride the line for its entire length before returning to Stralsund.

Day 9   Stralsund to the Harz Mountains

We take the main line via Halle to the lovely old town of Wernigerode where we stay for the next 4 nights. Half timbered buildings dominate the town centre where our well appointed hotel stands across the square from the old Rathaus (town hall).

Days 10, 11 and 12   Explore the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway

The Harz Narrow Gauge Railway (HSB) is by far the largest of the lines we visit, with a network of over 100km from Wernigerode in the northwest to Nordhausen in the south and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Quedlinburg in the east. We have a Harz Rover ticket for unlimited travel and your tour leader will devise three full day excursions covering the complete network including an ascent of the Brocken line (a “must do” on a clear day). The Brocken was a look-out and “listening” post in Soviet days due to its commanding views across the west and today there is a museum at the summit telling the story of its role in the cold war period.

Day 13   To Wuppertal in the Ruhr

With one change in Hannover, we head for Wuppertal and, after our trips on the leisurely narrow gauge, the Inter City Express is an altogether different experience. We have a transport pass for the Wuppertal area for the period of our stay.

Day 14   Hanging around in Wuppertal

The Schwebebahn or hanging railway which runs along the Wupper Valley in the Ruhr is quite unique – its wheels are on the roof!!! Built over 100 years ago, this monorail straddles the river and is not only a tourist attraction but a serious part of the region’s transport infrastructure, carrying over 20 million passengers a year. We ride the entire route of the Schwebebahn. A special train using the Kaiser’s Saloon has been requested but not yet confirmed as this brochure went to press. We overnight in Wuppertal.

Day 15   Auf Wiedersehen

We retrace our steps via Cologne and Brussels to arrive in London in the early afternoon.