Dresden Mega Steam
A wonderful opportunity to visit one of Germany's biggest steam festivals of 2011, whilst also including a combination of mainline steam excursions and two of the renowned Saxon narrow gauge railways.
When the organiser's of Dresden Steam Festival heard that 50 UK steam enthusiasts were visiting the festival as part of Railtrail Tours' "Dresden Mega Steam" holiday they invited them to take part in the opening ceremony.
Tour Managers Peter Hammond (l) and Martin Kirschner (r) with Anke Herrmann at the opening ceremonyAnke Herrmann welcomed the group to the city of Dresden and to the three day Steam Festival, and invited Railtrail Tour Managers Peter Hammond and Martin Kirschner on stage as the event was broadcast live on German TV.
Peter Hammond described how the group was enjoying their holiday and thanked the event organisers and the German steam railway community for the welcome they always extend to Railtrail Tours' groups, saying "We're very happy to be here again in Dresden, which we consider our second home thanks to your wonderful hospitality and great friendship".
Railtrail clients had also flown in from the USA to join this escorted holiday by rail to Germany. Travelling initially by Eurostar and German ICE trains, the "Dresden Mega Steam" tour group will also enjoy a private photographic steam charter on the Dollnitztalbahn, a steam hauled journey on the Weisseritztalbahn and a private mainline steam charter, as well as visiting the three day Dresden Steam Festival - where they are also invited to take part in a Germany V England locomotive pulling competition.
The locomotive pulling competition
Our gallery of images from this tour can be found here.