Dresden Steam Festival & Saxon Narrow Gauge

DAY 1

Depart London St. Pancras International and travel by Eurostar and ICE train, via Frankfurt Flughafen (Airport) to Erfurt for one night at the InterCity Hotel.

DAY 2

We transfer by train to Dresden and an afternoon of steam on the 750 mm narrow gauge Lössnitzgrundbahn, a delightful 17 kms line which still operates a public service between Radebeul and Radeburg including some street running! Our accommodation is at the conveniently located Ibis Hotel in the centre of Dresden.

DAY 3

We board our regional train to the Polish border for one of Saxony's finest 750 mm narrow gauge routes, from Zittau to the mountain spa resorts of Oybin and Jonsdorf, which is still very much a public service over the ten miles long route. This is a full day rover so all lines will be covered, including the opportunity to photograph the parallel departure at Bertsdorf, along with lunch and an engine shed tour at this junction station.

DAY 4

A full day at the fabulous Dresden Steam Festival at Alstadt amidst the nostalgic atmosphere of a traditional working steam shed, with lots of locos in steam, footplate rides and visiting engines, including the opportunity to visit the reserve collection of the museum not normally open to the public. Our day concludes with your choice of attending a night-time photo parade of locomotives or just enjoy an evening in this truly wonderful city with its magnificent waterfront of historic buildings and the largest paddle-steamer fleet in the world.

DAY 5 - 6

It's two full days of steam out on the mainline from Dresden using locomotives from the festival. Whilst destinations have not yet been announced we have always previously been able to include the unique experience of parallel steam running over a considerable distance, and a thrash up the steep Tharandt incline with the two trains each taking turns overtaking the other - see our Dresden Steam Festival film on our website it's an amazing sight giving all participants the opportunity to see at close quarters powerful steam locomotives hard at work. Over the two days we are anticipating a total of four different runs two each morning and afternoon.

DAY 7

We take a regional train to Oschatz for a private steam charter on the 750 mm Saxon narrow-gauge line that is one of our personal favourites, the 20 kms long Döllnitzbahn with one of the beautiful Saxon-Mayer locomotives.

DAY 8

By train into the mountains and along the scenic Sehma Valley to Cranzahl where a day of steam awaits on the fabulous 17 km long, 750 mm gauge Fichtelbergbahn, climbing around 250 m through nine stations to the ski resort of Oberwiesenthal, the highest town in Germany. We include a tour of the loco workshops and a photo opportunity of steam crossing the 100 m long, 23 m high, lattice girder bridge at the entrance to Oberwiesenthal station. At the end of a fabulous steam day we return to Dresden as outward.

DAY 9

Staying local today we have a relaxing morning of steam riding the extensive Dresden Parkeisenbahn followed by a free afternoon in the wonderful city of Dresden itself to relax and enjoy some sightseeing. This evening we experience a paddle steamer cruise along the River Elbe.

DAY 10

A final day of steam on the 750 mm gauge Weisseritztalbahn line meandering up the Weisseritz valley with an open coach to travel in if you wish. Operating over 26 kms through varying scenery, with 13 stations, and the steepest part of the line on the reopened section to the terminus at Kipsdorf. Known as one of Europes' great narrow-gauge railways, this is a ride not to be missed.
We conclude our amazing tour with a visit to Dresden Transport Museum including the rare opportunity of visiting the reserve collection depot not normally open to the public, A wonderful conclusion to a memorable holiday experiencing amazing and enchanting steam.

DAY 11

Homeward bound today returning via Leipzig, Frankfurt Flughafen, and Brussels to London St Pancras International.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner