German and Benelux Autumn Steam Gala

Experience the best of the autumn steam gala season in the Low Countries as well as the Rhine and Ruhr region of Western Germany.

• Experience the steam galas with intensive running and numerous home and guest engines in steam at Mariembourg, Belgium and Simpelveld, Netherlands.
• Enjoy private charters with photo stops and run-pasts at the scenic rural narrow gauge railways in western Germany, including the Selfkantbahn and the Oekhoven Feldbahn.
• Sample the best of standard gauge industrial steam at the preserved Schluff railway in Krefeld, with a giant standard gauge tank engine hauling your private charter train.
• Conclude the holiday in fine fashion by travelling on the scenic Drachenfels rack railway high above the River Rhine at Königswinter and visit Wuppertal to ride its unique 1900 suspension railway.
• Stay throughout in the beautiful and conveniently located historic city of Aachen, Germany, which also allows for a short journey to and from London by train.

Thursday 24 September

London to Aachen by train

Travel by Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Brussels Midi, before changing to a high speed train to Aachen. This UNESCO World Heritage city is famous as the seat of Charlemagne, with a landmark cathedral dating back to the Carolingian era in the 9th century. After checking into your centrally located quality hotel, enjoy free time to explore Aachen before a welcome dinner with the group. (D)

Friday 25 September

Steam at the Selfkantbahn and steam at the Oekoven Feldbahn

After breakfast, transfer by private coach to the narrow gauge Selfkantbahn, located in the pretty countryside north of Aachen near the Dutch border. This delightful heritage railway has a fine collection of steam locomotives, including the recently overhauled tramway locomotive Rur from 1899. Your private charter runs over the full length of the line with numerous photo stops and run-pasts at attractive locations. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue by coach to the nearby 600 mm (two foot) field railway and narrow-gauge museum at Oekoven, where steam motive power will again haul your private charter, pausing for photos and runpasts on the quaint light industrial line. After a rewarding day in the hinterland of western Germany, return to Aachen in the late afternoon. This evening is free to dine at leisure. (B L)

Saturday 26 September

Dutch autumn steam gala at the ‘Miljoenenlijn’ in Simpelveld

The South Limburg Steam Railway at Simpelveld is one of the most beautiful and popular heritage railways in the Netherlands. Ornate brick station buildings, elegantly restored carriages and an international collection of steam locomotives make this an exciting place to visit. The line runs through idyllic farmland and rolling hills, which proved expensive to conquer by rail, hence it‘s colorful moniker. 

Visit Simpelveld for the annual autumn gala weekend, featuring a more intensive running schedule. You will have reserved seats and benefit from the day rover ticket to ride the various locomotives. In the late afternoon, return by coach to Aachen. (B)

Sunday 27 September

Autumn steam gala at Mariembourg, Belgium

After a two-hour direct coach transfer to southern Wallonia, enjoy the autumn steam gala at the Three Valleys Heritage Railway. This event typically features an intensive timetable showcasing both the home fleet and visiting locomotives. You will have a day rover ticket, allowing you to ‘hop on and hop off’ the different steam trains running on this scenic 14 km preserved railway between Mariembourg and Treignes, one of the flagship heritage railways in the Low Countries. Return to Aachen in the evening and enjoy dinner at the hotel. (B D).

Monday 28 September

Steam at Krefeld on the Schluff industrial heritage railway

Today you venture into the Rhine-Ruhr industrial heartland of Germany and explore the atmospheric Schluff Railway in Krefeld, where the large standard gauge 0-8-0 tank engine 98 8921 will haul your private charter train over the full length of the line to Hülser Berg and St. Tönies, passing old monuments of the Industrial Revolution and pausing for photos and run-pasts along the way. Enjoy lunch at a charming brewery restaurant in Krefeld before returning to Aachen in the afternoon. (B L)

Tuesday 29 September

Drachenfels rack railway above the Rhine and Wuppertal Schwebebahn

To crown your holiday, visit two of the most unique railways in western Germany. First, take a service train via Cologne to Königswinter, where you ride on one of just four German rack railways. Dating from the late 19th century, the short yet spectacular Drachenfelsbahn climbs steep rocky cliffs, passing the stately namesake castle and terminating high above the Rhine with gorgeous 360 degree views of the river and volcanic landscapes of Sieg and Eiffel regions.

After time for a stroll along the Rhine promenade in Königswinter’s old town, continue by service train to Wuppertal to ride the world famous monorail suspension railway, first opened in 1900. Should the iconic red ‘Kaiserwagen’ finally have completed its long overdue restoration and fitting with modern signalling equipment, you will enjoy a private charter on this beloved vehicle, riding the full length of the Schwebebahn with coffee and cake catering. As there is only one preserved Kaiserwagen, if technical circumstances prevent its operation, the exploration of Wuppertal’s stunning ‘dingle-dangle’ monorail will be made on the regular service trains running between Oberbarmen in and Vohwinkel. Return to Aachen in the early evening for a farewell dinner. (B D)

Wednesday 30 September

Return to London

In the morning you board a direct high speed train from Aachen Hbf to Brussels, where you change to a Eurostar service for the journey through the Channel Tunnel back to London St. Pancras. (B)