The Chemnitz Steam Gala

This tour visits one of Germany’s premier steam locomotive gatherings, including main line running, engine parades and turntable shows at the roundhouse. A private main line charter train with the 313.432 in Central Bohemia and narrow gauge steam on some of Saxony’s most scenic lines complete the exciting programme.

• Start the tour in beautiful Prague and experience the thrill of a private charter train on the Czech main line from Luzna to Blatno with the recently refurbished tank engine 313.432, a wonderful icon from 1904 and key part of the collection at the CD Museum in Luzna.
• Enjoy a full weekend at the Chemnitz steam locomotive festival and participate in the wide variety of memorable activities, including main line journeys behind giant tender locomotives.
• Sample the best of Saxon narrow gauge steam with rides at the Weisseritztalbahn, the mountainous Fichtelbergbahn to Oberwiesenthal and also the Chemnitz Park Railway. A ride on the panoramic Augustusburg funicular from 1911 is an added attraction, with wonderful views from the top.
• In both Prague and Chemnitz you’ll be given a complimentary public transport ticket allowing convenient and comfortable travel as well as the opportunity to further explore the two tram networks.

Wednesday 19 August 

Arrive in Prague

You have a direct morning flight from London to the Czech capital. After an easy transfer to your attractively located city centre hotel, you check-in and have lunch at the hotel, before having the afternoon to explore this amazing city at leisure, taking advantage of your convenient hotel location and the complimentary public transport ticket. Why not use it to ride up to Prague Castle on the heritage tramway. (L)

Thursday 20 August

Czech railway museum at Luzna and main line steam in Central Bohemia

A real highlight of European steam awaits today as you take a train from Prague west to Luzna and first visit the magnificent museum of the Czech Railways, with its large roundhouse and additional maintenance sheds. After lunch refreshments at the museum cafe, you have a private main line steam charter with the recently refurbished tank engine 313.432 ‘Matylda’ dating from 1904. Steaming via Rakovnik west to Blatno you pause for numerous photos and also a run-past. You return by private steam train to Luzna and from there by regular fast train back to Prague, where you may spend another evening at leisure.

(B L)

Friday 21 August

Free morning in Prague and afternoon train trip to Chemnitz 

Today you still have a free morning in Prague to take advantage of everything the city has to offer. In the mid afternoon you then take a direct EuroCity train from Prague to Dresden, travelling through the scenic Elbe Valley along the way, passing mighty castles, dotted villages and impressive rock formations along the way. In Dresden you change for the onward train to Chemnitz and arrive there in the late afternoon. You check into your centrally located hotel and have a buffet dinner. (B D)

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August

Chemnitz Steam Festival

This weekend is dedicated entirely to the large steam locomotive gathering at Chemnitz Hilbersdorf, one of the most impressive steam yards in Germany with two giant, semi-circular roundhouses, large coaling towers and vast tracks for attractive engine displays.
There’s also a 600 mm field railway on site, where a guest locomotive will also be in steam on the compact circuit. The Chemnitz steam gathering brings large main line steam locomotives from all around Germany to Hilbersdorf, offering over a dozen engines in steam, locomotive parades, turntable shows, foot-plate rides and of course main line excursions on the lines towards Dresden or Zwickau. You will participate in all of these activities, including making the main line steam trip with parallel running on uphill gradients. Additionally, you will also visit on one day the 600 mm gauge Chemnitz Park Railway, where steam will also be active. After all the action and splendid fun, on each day there will be a dinner back at your hotel.

(B D)

Monday 24 August

Steam in the Ore Mountains from Cranzahl to Oberwiesenthal and Augustusburg funicular

You begin your journey by taking a direct DB service train from Chemnitz to Cranzahl. Upon arrival you will board a steam train and travel along the historic Fichtelbergbahn to Oberwiesenthal known as the “St. Moritz of Saxony.” The train will be pulled by a type VII K 2-10-2 tank engine. After some time in Oberwiesenthal you return to Cranzahl by steam train in the afternoon, you continue your journey to Chemnitz on DB service trains. During the trip, you will stop at Ermannsdorf to experience the scenic funicular dating back to 1911, which leads to the impressive hilltop castle Augustburg. This location offers stunning views of the surrounding area. You will have the opportunity to explore the palace facilities and enjoy refreshments at the courtyard cafe, before descending again by funicular and continuing by train back to Chemnitz. You have an evening at leisure once back in Chemnitz where you can visit some of the city's notable brewhouses. (B)

Tuesday 25 August

Steam at the at the Weisseritz Valley Railway to Kurort Kipsdorf

Embrace on a morning excursion on the recently re-opened narrow-gauge Weisseritz Valley Railway. You will experience a steam-hauled journey through the scenic “canyon landscape” of Saxony, traveling from Freital-Hainsberg via Dippoldiswalde to Kurort Kipsdorf along the Weisseritz River, powered by a 2-10-2 tank engine. Enjoy panoramic views from the open balconies of your vintage carriage as you pass historic villages and a large lake. You return to Chemnitz in the afternoon, before regrouping in the hotel restuartant where a farewell dinner will be held. (B D)

Wednesday 26 August

Return to London

You travel from Chemnitz by train to Berlin airport where you have a direct flight back to London. (B)