Czech Steam Safari

The historic cities of Prague and Olomouc and the rural landscapes of the Czech Republic create a superb backdrop to this unique tour, packed with main line and narrow-gauge steam highlights.

• Explore the ‘Golden City’ of Prague and enjoy a unique sightseeing ride on a luxury tramway.
• Sample an eclectic line-up of unique steam locomotives, including big tank engines that have only just returned to service after decades out of use.
• Experience lots of ‘rare track’ excursions with private charter train trips on scenic countryside routes and unusual
  branch lines.
• Visit the huge collection at the Czech railway museum in Luzna u Rakovnika before embarking on a main line steam charter on the remote branch line from Luzna to Kolesovice.
• Main line steam on unusual routes in western Bohemia around Pilsen and in eastern Moravia and around Olomouc, Litovel and Hulin, including “rare track”.
• For a holiday rich in culture, nature and history, with refined hotel in two convenient city locations, look no further than this relaxed steam tour of unsung European destinations.
• Convenient transfers on Czech service trains with First Class accommodation (where possible) or on short rides by private coach, where no rail access is available.
  

Thursday 3rd October
Arrival in Prague
Following a direct flight to Prague you book into an elegant city centre hotel for a welcome lunch. For the rest of the day you are then free to explore this fascinating city steeped in history, culture and architecture. A complimentary public transport rover ticket makes getting around town by tramway or underground easy and enjoyable. (L)

Friday 4th October

Classic Prague by luxury tram and leisure in the city

This morning you board a smart luxury tram for a sightseeing tour of Prague, with complimentary drinks served aboard. See the city’s premier landmarks while criss-crossing the River Vltava on its famous bridges. Then you change onto a vintage 1920s tramway for a ride over some “rare track” and conclude the journey up at Prague Castle. For the afternoon you are then free to sightsee at your leisure. (B)

Saturday 5th October

Steam at the Solvay Quarry Railway and leisure in the city

In the rugged and rocky landscape west of Prague lies a hidden gem. The narrow gauge railway at the Solvay quarry has been developed into an attractive museum and noteworthy industrial heritage site. Best of all, steam was introduced to the railway in 2023! You enjoy the benefit of private charter train with ample photographic opportunities and run-pasts in the scenic landscape, before also visiting the mine, with its interior tracks. After the full morning visit you return to your Prague hotel for lunch, before enjoying another afternoon at leisure in the city and taking advantage of all the Czech capital has to offer. (B L)

Sunday 6th October
Main line steam around Pilsen with 310.072
After breakfast you take a Czech Railways Intercity train for an hour journey west to Pilsen. In this famed city famed for its steelworks and breweries, you will have the first main line charter of the tour with the vintage 1899 tank engine 310.072. The locomotive will steam around the large railway network of the city, doing unusual curves, chords and giving you the best views of the urban scenery with impressive railway viaducts, historic landmarks, classic industrial facilities and elegant residential districts. You will travel on the lines to Nyrany, Stary Plzenec and Tremosna, including photo stops and run-pasts. Mid-day refreshments are included. In the late afternoon you return to Prague by Intercity train. (B L)

Monday 7th October
Main line steam in Central Bohemia from Luzna to Kolesovice with 423.094
This morning you board a service train departing from Prague’s historic Dejvice station and travel by service train to Luzna u Rakovnika, home to a large collection of steam locomotives at the Czech Republic’s premier railway museum.
You have time to visit the roundhouse and see the collection and enjoy a warm lunch, before a private steam charter takes you on the unusual, ‘freight-only’ line via Krupa to Kolesovice. Traction today will be provided by the impressive 2-8-2 tank engine 423.094 which originally dates from 1928. Along your way on the non-electrified tracks, the crew will perform some attractive run-pasts. You return by steam train to Luzna, before taking a regular train back to Prague. (B L)

Tuesday 8th October
Main line steam around Olomouc to Litovel and Mladec
After breakfast you take a Czech Railways Intercity train to the historic university city Olomouc, which is located 2 hours east of the capital in central Moravia. After checking in to your centrally located hotel, you have an afternoon main line steam charter on the local railways around Olomouc, including the line to Litovel and the short branch to Mladec. As a specialty, this includes the steam train passing over the Olomouc tram network at two level crossings. Photo stops will be included and you will also have the opportunity to visit the Olomouc steam shed. In the evening you are free to explore the delightful and enchanting old town of Olomouc, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. (B L)

Wednesday 9th October
Main line steam from Valasske Mezirici to Hulin with 423.041
After a convenient transfer by fast train from Olomouc to Valasske Mezirici, you board the next main line private charter train, today hauled by the rugged 2-8-2 tank engine 423.041. This will haul a set of historic coaches on the non-electrified secondary line from Val Mez via Loukov to Hulin and then on to Prerov, thus covering ‘rare track’ from steam haulage in the process. Photo stops at stations and mid-day refreshments are included. Upon returning to Olomouc, you have dinner at your hotel
(B L D)

Thursday 10th October
Steam in Moravian Silesia on the Osoblaha narrow gauge railway
A very special narrow-gauge railway trip is in store today, as you take a Czech Railways service train from Olomouc to Tremesna and then board a private steam charter on the idyllic line to Osoblaha, on the doorstep of Poland. This remote yet serene railway runs through gentle fields and soft rolling hills, framed by church towers and dotted villages. The railway will put on a spectacular double-header including both the “Blue Behemoth” 0-10-0 tender locomotive U57.001. The friendly will pause for pictures and run pasts at the most scenic locations, as lunch refreshments are served on the train. After a good day out by steam and a full return journey on the 20 km long branch line, you return to Olomouc and once again have dinner at the hotel. (B L D)

Friday 11th October
Train to Prague, return flight to London
After breakfast at the hotel, you board a service train back to Prague, once again enjoying First Class amenities for the roughly 3-hour journey. At the Prague Main Station you have a direct and easy bus transfer onward to the airport for a return flight back to London. (B)