Winter Steam and Luxury Trains in Bohemia

A unique tour to the Czech countryside for some of the grandest steam locomotives and luxury carriages in Central Europe, all embedded in a romantic winter landscape.

• Enjoy the very best of Czech main line steam on five different days and diverse routes over ‘rare track’ through the picturesque countryside with excellent chances for snow in the Eagle Mountains and Jeseniky Range.
• Travel with steam legends like the elegant powerful Skoda-built 2-10-0 freight locos 555.129 and 555.0153, plus the recently refurbished tank engines 132 and 328.011.
• On all days of main line steam in northeast Bohemia you will have the benefit of being accommodate on one of the finest early 20th Century luxury trains in Central Europe, with a splendidly refurbished rake of classic 1st Class coaches dating from the 1930s, a Bar Car and an amazingly restored 1906 teak dining car that formerly ran in Wagons Lits trains.
• This is our grandest and most expansive Continental European main line steam tour in 2027, with vast mileage over ‘rare track’, steep gradients and evocative landscapes, including the circular line through western Moravia to Moravska Trebova, double-headed steam over the ‘Silesian Semmering’ and the remote branch line to Javornik ve Slezsku, right on the border with Poland.
• The tour is based throughout in the attractive Czech town of Jablonne nad Orlici, in the heart of the Eagle Mountains. The comfortable 3-star Hotel Filipinum is conveniently near the historic town square with the ‘Black Bear’ brewpub and in walking distance to the local railway station.

Monday 15 February

Arrive in North Bohemia

You have a direct morning flight from London to Prague, with a mid-day arrival in the Czech capital. After arrival to you have a quick transfer to the main railway station and from there take a loco-hauled Czech Railways service train to Usti nad Olrici in First Class. From there it’s just a short transfer to the Hotel Filipinum in Jablonne nad Orlici. You have a welcome dinner with the group. (D)

Tuesday 16 February

Steam to Rokytnice v Orlických Horách with tank engine 328.011

After breakfast your private charter train picks you up at Jablonne railway station. Initially your luxury train formed of classic Swiss 1930s coaches and the former Wagons Lits teak car is hauled by a classic 1950s vintage diesel locomotive of the ‘Hektor’ type. At the junction station Doudbleby the newly restored CKD tank engine 328.011 from 1956 takes over. This powerful 0-6-0 will then haul the charter train alone over the entire 20 km long branch line to Rokytnice, where there is a railway museum at the terminus station. This branch line is exceptionally rare for steam haulage and the private train will pause for photo stops and run-pasts along the way. A silver served lunch in the luxury teak dining car is included today. In the late afternoon, the train returns via Zamberk and Letohrad to Usti nad Orlici. (B L)

Wednesday 17 February 

Steam to Stity with the Hungarian tank engine 132

Today you enjoy steam over the ‘heritage only’ branch line from Dolni Lipka to Stity. The private luxury train will be hauled by the recently refurbished Hungarian tank engine 132, which was formerly in the GYSEV fleet and only arrived in the Czech Republic in winter 2025. After years out of use, this impressive 2-6-2 tank engine will haul the train on the scenic line to Stity through hilly landscapes drenched in snow. Run-pasts will once again be staged and lunch is again silver served in the teak dining car from 1907. (B L)

Thursday 18 February

Grand Circular Excursion to western Moravia and Moravska Trebova, Boskovice and Svitavy

One of the grandest main line steam excursions in Central Europe, this private charter is hauled by vintage 1942 locomotive 555.129 (50.1171). Departing Jablonné, the train travels via Letohrad, Ústí nad Orlicí and Česká Třebová before heading over rural and freight-only lines through Mladějov na Moravě, Moravská Třebová and Boskovice, rejoining the main line near Brno at Skalice nad Svitavou.

The circular route then turns north via Svitavy and Česká Třebová before returning through Ústí nad Orlicí and Letohrad to Jablonné. A spectacular day of extensive steam haulage through beautiful Moravian scenery, including a freshly prepared three-course lunch served in the teak dining car. (B, L)

Friday 19 February

Over the Silesian Semmering to Javornik ve Slezsku on the Polish frontier

Another major highlight awaits as the private luxury train first steams east to the junction Hanusovice and then heads north over the stunning railway line of the ‘Silesian Semmering’ via Ramzova and Lipova Lazna. From there the train will branch off on the long, circuitous and scenic 27 km branch line to Javornik, one of the most remote places on the Czech national railway network and a place where main line steam has not arrived in many years.

Along the way the steam train passes 1930s Czech defences in the former Sudetenland, with the steam train pausing for photo stops and run-pasts along these remnants of important pre-WWII history. After reaching Javornik, 555.129 runs around and refuels for the long run back to Dolni Lipka, this time rolling downhill on the stunning line of the Silesian Semmering, with its different horseshoe curves. (B L)

Saturday 20 February

Steam double-header with 555.129 and 555.0153 to Lipova Lazne

For the final day of main line steam, you experience the thrill of a double-headed steam with two 2-10-0 freight giants battling the gradients on their way to Jesenik. The double-header today is run as a public excursion, but you have reserved seats in the First Class compartment car and access to the delightful bar and dining car. Listen to 555.129 and 555.0153 work hard to overcome Ramzova ramp and blow through snowy landscapes on their way towards Jesnik. This is a fitting spectacle to cap the holiday with a blast. In the evening there is an organized farewell dinner (B D)

Sunday 21 February 

Return to Prague by train, flight to London

You return to Prague by train and then transfer by coach to Prague airport for your return flight to the UK. (B)