Experiences along the STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony - Highlights of the Saxon summer holidays 2026

Media information from the STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony, Radebeul, 25 June 2026

Contact: Christian Sacher 0351 2134440 / 0176 64154718 or André Marks 0179/5064090 - email: info@dampfbahn-route.de
 

Experiences along the STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony
Highlights of the Saxon summer holidays 2026

Overview of experiences along the STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony:
In Saxony, narrow-gauge steam trains run on four lines every day, all year round. Elsewhere, museum railways enchant visitors with their nostalgic charm on selected days of the year. There are also major railway festivals on railways of all gauges, as well as fascinating museums. As a holiday route, the STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony is a network linking railways with accommodation, fine food and drink, and activities for the whole family.
In steam every day, the Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway carries passengers from Zittau to Kurort Oybin and Kurort Jonsdorf in the Zittau Mountains Nature Preserve. At weekends, “time-travel trains” recall long-gone eras of railway history. Themed trips such as the “Castle and Monastery Trains” bring the history and culture of the region to life. Alongside the Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway, the Lößnitzgrundbahn also runs daily on the outskirts of the former royal residence city of Dresden, with steam trains travelling from Radebeul via Moritzburg to Radeburg. On the way, it puffs through the romantic Lößnitzgrund valley. Once in Moritzburg, passengers can visit Augustus the Strong’s famous Moritzburg hunting lodge. South of Dresden, the Weißeritztalbahn steams daily through the wildly romantic Rabenauer Grund gorge and past the Malter reservoir into the eastern Ore Mountains to Kurort Kipsdorf. Another daily steam railway can be found in the upper Ore Mountains, where the trains of the Fichtelbergbahn run from Cranzahl to Kurort Oberwiesenthal, Germany’s highest town.
Museum railways with steam operation on seasonal operating days and at weekends include the Preßnitztalbahn and the Museumsbahn Schönheide in the Ore Mountains, as well as the 600 mm gauge Muskau Forest Railway in north-eastern Saxony. A trip on the Preßnitztalbahn from Steinbach to Jöhstadt combines idyllic scenery with particularly authentic museum railway operation – an ideal change from the often stressful daily routine.
Along the STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony you will also find railway experiences on standard-gauge lines and other tourist modes of transport, from mountain railways and park railways to the Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt paddle steamers.
You can delve into the history of the railway and of mobility as a whole in an exciting way at the Dresden Transport Museum, housed in the historic Johanneum exhibition building on the Neumarkt.
In addition, various partners of the STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony offer tailor-made accommodation packages, and not only for railway fans. How about a “Dampfzauberwoche” in the Zittau Mountains, for example, or a night in the Lok-Hotel V180 in the western Ore Mountains?
Highlights of the Saxon summer holidays:
When the summer holidays begin in Saxony on the afternoon of 3 July 2026, Saxony’s museum and tourist railways will once again host numerous events and special trips for the whole family over the following six weeks.
 

In the Dresden Elbe Region and Saxon Switzerland:
➔ Weißeritztalbahn and Lößnitzgrundbahn – enjoy the open-top feeling on rails every day
During the summer holidays, the four daily narrow-gauge railways in Saxony regularly run not only steam locomotives but also an open observation car on each train. These promise a fresh breeze or the smell of steam and offer a particularly intense experience of nature with delightful views of the countryside. On the outskirts of Dresden, these are the Weißeritztalbahn, linking Freital-Hainsberg with Kurort Kipsdorf, and the Lößnitzgrundbahn, shuttling between Radebeul Ost, Moritzburg and Radeburg. On a trip in the open observation car on the Weißeritztalbahn, after leaving Freital the train first passes through the wildly romantic Rabenauer Grund gorge, which also offers a shady hiking destination on warm summer days. After a journey of about 30 minutes, the trains of the Weißeritztalbahn reach the Malter reservoir with its several lidos. Further on, the line passes the eastern Ore Mountains town of Dippoldiswalde, whose museums are well worth a visit, before the trains reach the terminus at Kurort Kipsdorf, a district of Altenberg.
More information: www.weisseritztalbahn.com
The steam trains of the Lößnitzgrundbahn start at Radebeul Ost Station and first wind their way through Radebeul like a tram. Passing plenty of greenery and numerous villas, the vineyards of the Lößnitz soon come into view from the open observation car. The trains then wind through the deeply cut Lößnitzgrund valley and, after a few kilometres, reach the Moritzburg pond landscape; a highlight is the ride along the embankment across the Dippelsdorfer Teich pond. In Moritzburg, passengers can choose between an excursion to Augustus the Strong’s famous hunting and Baroque palace or continuing on certain trains to the terminus in Radeburg, the town of Heinrich Zille.
More information: www.loessnitzgrundbahn.de
The Traditionsbahn Radebeul e.V. association, which is active on this line, is offering excursion steam trains to mark the start of the summer holidays on the weekend of 4/5 July and further excursion steam trips on 1/2 August, each with vehicles lovingly restored in the style of the Royal Saxon State Railways.
Press photo of the open observation car on the Lößnitzgrundbahn for download (Philipp Herfort CC-BY): https://files-dbr.dampfbahn-route.de/Losznitzgrundbahn_PhilippHerfortPhotography-7285.jpg
➔ Kirnitzschtalbahn – a voyage of discovery by vintage tram
When the 26th Kirnitzschtalfest takes place in Saxon Switzerland over the weekend of 24 to 26 July, the Kirnitzschtalbahn takes part as the link between the many event venues and runs particularly venerable vintage trams. Model trams are presented at the Kirnitzschtalbahn depot, and a programme for the whole family rounds off the visit. But in everyday service, too, the Kirnitzschtalbahn runs trams more than 60 years old, linking the spa gardens of Bad Schandau near the Elbe with the Lichtenhain Waterfall, various inns and hiking destinations in the Kirnitzsch valley.
More information: www.rvsoe.de/verkehrsmittel/kirnitzschtalbahn
Press photo of a vintage tram in the Kirnitzsch valley for download (Michael Sperl CC-BY): https://files-dbr.dampfbahn-route.de/Oldtimerstraszenbahn_zum_Kirnitzschtalfest_Foto__Michael_Sperl.jpg
➔In the historic Johanneum on Dresden’s Neumarkt – experience the Transport Museum
Where the carriages and horses of the Saxon electors and kings were once “parked”, visitors today set off on an eventful journey through the history of transport in Dresden’s oldest exhibition building. Here you can discover a unique variety of vehicles across 5,000 m²: historically significant locomotives, cars from every era, classic and rare motorcycles and bicycles, legendary aircraft and magnificent model ships. Visitors learn how mobility has changed over the centuries and how modern means of transport have fundamentally shaped our society. The Dresden Transport Museum presents the history of the railways in Saxony and beyond in its multimedia permanent exhibition “Abfahrt!”. The current special exhibition “Reif für die Insel – Warum wir reisen” invites visitors to rediscover travel as a cultural, social and personal phenomenon – from the longing in your head to the return home.
More information: www.verkehrsmuseum-dresden.de
Press photo of the permanent railway exhibition at the Dresden Transport Museum (Philipp Herfort CC-BY) - download: https://files-dbr.dampfbahn-route.de/Vekehrsmuseum_Dresden_Saxonia_Philipp_Herfort_Photography-9161.jpg
 

In Upper Lusatia:
➔ Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway – in steam every day
The Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway runs under steam every day into the Zittau Mountains, Germany’s smallest nature park. Passengers travel from the venerable town of Zittau to Kurort Oybin, with the famous Oybin mountain crowned by castle and monastery ruins, and to Kurort Jonsdorf in the charming nature park region. A dining car is attached to the trains to Kurort Oybin every day, combining railway nostalgia with fine food. In the main season until the end of October, two train sets are always in service, so the distinctive simultaneous departures of two trains can be seen at Bertsdorf. In the main summer season, riding in the open observation cars attached to the trains gives an open-top feeling. At weekends in the main season, there is an enhanced timetable with hourly departures from Zittau into the romantic Zittau Mountains. Until the autumn, one train each weekend runs as a historic time-travel train with vehicles from long-gone eras. All regular trains except the time-travel trains are also suitable for wheelchair users (advance booking up to one day before). On various themed trips such as the “Castle and Monastery Trains”, the history and culture of the region are brought vividly to life. Popular offers from the railway include overnight stays at the “Zum Bahnel” guesthouse in Kurort Jonsdorf, in the holiday carriages at Kurort Jonsdorf and Kurort Oybin stations, and in the holiday flat am Wasserhäuschen in Kurort Oybin. Young passengers will have fun at the Kinderbahnhof “Zwergenreich” adventure playground at Kurort Oybin Station.
More information: www.zittauer-schmalspurbahn.de
Press photo download – steam train at Kurort Oybin Station – Philipp Herfort (CC-BY): https://files-dbr.dampfbahn-route.de/Zittauer_Schmalspurbahn_Kurort_Oybin_Ankunft_Philipp__Herfort_Photography-9869.jpg
→  HISTORIK MOBIL: a first-class festival
A highlight for the entire region is the popular “Historik Mobil” festival in the Zittau Mountains. This year it takes place from 7 to 9 August, offering a varied programme of historic railways and vintage road vehicles. On the Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway, which has been run regionally for 30 years, numerous special trains will take to the line, some with visiting vehicles, and Bertsdorf will host a station festival with a programme for the whole family.
In Kurort Jonsdorf, vintage road vehicles will be on display at several locations. Another attraction of the festival weekend is the Lückendorf hill climb.
More information: www.zittauer-schmalspurbahn.de/bahnerlebnisse/historik-mobil/
➔ Muskau Forest Railway – nostalgic trips from park to park
In north-eastern Saxony, the Muskau Forest Railway runs on 600 mm gauge track. Its lines, all starting in Weißwasser, lead to Prince Pückler Park in Bad Muskau, to the Rhododendron Park in Kromlau and to the “Schwerer Berg” viewpoint overlooking the post-mining landscape near Weißwasser. During the holidays, the diesel trains chug past glittering former mining lakes to Kromlau and through the parkland to Bad Muskau not only on Saturdays and Sundays but also on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. On 1 and 2 August, a steam locomotive will haul special trains on the lines to Kromlau and Bad Muskau. The Forest Railway Museum in Weißwasser is also open to visitors on the first weekend in August.
More information: www.waldeisenbahn.de
Press photo download – Philipp Herfort (CC-BY): https://files-dbr.dampfbahn-route.de/File/Waldeisenbahn_Muskau_PhilippHerfortPhotography_2729.jpg
 

In the Chemnitz.Zwickau.Region:
➔ Rustic rides and rattling diesel engines:
It once ran from Wechselburg to Chemnitz: Saxony’s most expensive branch line, the Chemnitztalbahn. Closed almost 30 years ago, parts of the old trackbed are now a cycle path. Between the Museum Railway Station, Markersdorf-Taura, and Schweizerthal-Diethensdorf, however, a gem has survived – today’s Chemnitztal-Museumsbahn. Here visitors can enjoy railway romance along the breathtaking and legendary Schweizerthal valley. Whether by muscle power on draisines or relaxing on the diesel-hauled observation train, a ride along the rushing river with its potholes is an experience for young and old alike. Along the way you can discover an ostrich farm, numerous hiking trails, a hydroelectric power station, the nature trail, the Old Mill with Saxony’s largest undershot water wheel and the museum station with its many historic details.
More information: https://www.chemnitztalbahn.de/
The tracks of the Rauschenthalbahn in Waldheim are narrower still. The association of the same name invites visitors on 12 July and 16 August to ride on its 600 mm gauge stretch of track, along which a small field railway diesel locomotive trundles leisurely with open passenger cars. Visitors enjoy a fresh breeze on the way through the idyllic Zschopau valley not far from Kriebstein Castle.
More information: www.rauschenthalbahn-ev.de
South of Rochlitz, meanwhile, the legendary Schienentrabis rattle through the Mulde valley on many weekends. Track inspectors once used these small vehicles with their distinctive Trabant engines for inspection runs; today passengers can immerse themselves in the landscape of the Rochlitz Mulde Valley, riding in the open vehicles past striking castles and palaces along the route. The long Mulde bridge in Rochlitz is crossed too – with a panoramic view of Rochlitz Castle included. As places in the small rail Trabis and their trailers are limited, advance booking is required for these unique trips.
More information and booking: www.schienentrabi.de
It is a similar story on the neighbouring Frelsbachtalbahn between Rochlitz and Narsdorf. With advance booking, you can ride there in former track maintenance vehicles – mostly without a roof! – on the weekends of 4/5 and 18/19 July and 1/2 and 15/16 August.
More information and booking: www.frelsbachtalbahn.de
The Zwickau association Brückenbergbahn e.V. will once again shuttle its diesel locomotives along the standard-gauge Brückenbergbahn in Zwickau-Pöhlau on the weekend of 25/26 July. Those interested can ride in the locomotive cab! The Brückenbergbahn once led to the coal pits sunk on the Brückenberg and bears witness to the industrial history of this western Saxon city.
More information: www.brueckenbergbahn.de
➔ Summer holiday programme at Schauplatz Eisenbahn
Young and young-at-heart visitors can experience the railway and unleash their creativity at the holiday programme at Schauplatz Eisenbahn in Chemnitz-Hilbersdorf, Germany’s largest railway museum by area. On 7 July and 11 August there is a photography course with a professional photographer. The motto is: “Take photos like the pros? Visitors can do it too – with their mobile phones!” Participants are shown how to take professional-looking photos using simple settings – and the 26-hectare site offers motifs in abundance! In the team duel on 8 July and 12 August, two groups tackle tricky quiz questions, for example, as well as tests of skill and strength and challenges of speed and wits. On 10 July and 14 August there is an explorer tour of the extensive site. Away from the “normal” visitor routes, there is plenty to discover: the goods shed, control signal box, engine house, signal box and roundhouse are full of surprises. At the upcycling locomotive craft session on 13 August, seemingly useless (throwaway) materials are turned into sustainable railway-themed works of art.
More information: www.schauplatz-eisenbahn.de
 

In the Ore Mountains and Vogtland:
➔ Preßnitztalbahn – the museum railway par excellence
The Preßnitztalbahn, which starts in Jöhstadt near Annaberg-Buchholz, is firmly in the hands of steam traction. On this museum railway, which runs every weekend from April to November, steam locomotives always haul the trains to the district of Steinbach, 8 km away, during the summer months. Beer is even served on tap in the observation car during the journey! A cycle and footpath runs parallel to the line through unspoilt nature with dense forests and lush meadows. Many details along the line, such as the lovingly restored water station at Steinbach Station, the idyllic Schmalzgrube halt and the Jöhstadt engine shed, make the journey back in time to bygone railway eras perfect. To kick off the holidays, the 15th Jöhstädter Oldtimertreffen takes place at the terminus in Steinbach on the first weekend in July. The first weekend in August, meanwhile, features the Wildbachfest and the Steinbacher Ziegentreffen. The Nachtschwärmerfahrt night trip on 8 August combines a steam train ride with a romantic campfire, music and a hearty meal. On 15/16 August, children starting school are especially welcome on the steam trains marking the start of school.
More information: www.pressnitztalbahn.de
Press photo for download (Philipp Herfort CC-BY): https://files-dbr.dampfbahn-route.de/Presznitztalbahn_bei_Schmalszgrube_unterwegs_PhilippHerfortPhotography-2478.jpg
➔Fichtelbergbahn – full steam ahead to Germany’s highest town every day
The Fichtelbergbahn takes its passengers to Kurort Oberwiesenthal, Germany’s highest town, every day. The journey begins at Cranzahl Station, where the gauge changes and where Erzgebirgsbahn trains arrive from Chemnitz. The steam train then winds gently uphill to the tranquil little village of “Neudorf”. The well-known incense cone maker “Zum Weihrichkarzl” is just a few metres from the station there. On the Dampf- und Räuchertour themed trip on 24 July and 14 August, a train ride is combined with a visit to the “Zum Weihrichkarzl” workshop. The journey continues to Vierenstraße halt, a popular starting point for hikes in the densely wooded Fichtelberg area, through which the steam trains run for the next few kilometres. Before reaching the terminus at Kurort Oberwiesenthal, the trains cross the Hüttenbach viaduct, which at 110 metres long and 23 metres high is the largest structure on the line. Workshop tours offer a look behind the scenes of the Fichtelbergbahn; the next dates are 10 July and 7 August. The themed “Genießer-Tour” trips on 12 July and 2 August run from Oberwiesenthal to Cranzahl, where a steakhouse awaits passengers with a culinary treat. To round off the holidays, children aged 6 to 14 travel free on Fichtelbergbahn trains on 15 August!
More information: www.fichtelbergbahn.de
Press photo of a workshop tour for download (Philipp Herfort CC-BY): https://files-dbr.dampfbahn-route.de/File/Fichtelbergbahn_Werkstattf_hrung_PhilippHerfortPhotography_3194.jpg
➔ Departing from Schönheide Süd Station: topless on the Wernesgrüner Schienenexpress
Not far from the border with the Vogtland, the FHWE support association (Förderverein Historische Westsächsische Eisenbahnen) invites visitors to the western Ore Mountains on 18 July. The Wernesgrüner Schienenexpress will then shuttle on standard-gauge track between Schönheide Süd and Hammerbrücke, past the German Space Travel Exhibition in Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz in the Vogtland. These are motorised draisines without a roof – pure fresh-air fun! More information: www.schienen-express.de
➔ Museumsbahn Schönheide in the western Ore Mountains:
The narrow-gauge trains of the Museumsbahn Schönheide also depart from Schönheide. The line runs along the Kuhberg to Stützengrün, four kilometres away. From the train window or the open observation car, there are panoramic views over the distinctive landscape of the western Ore Mountains. Two operating days with diesel trains are scheduled during the summer holidays, on 18 July and 9 August. More information: www.museumsbahn-schoenheide.de
Press photo for download (Mario Poller/Museumsbahn Schönheide archive – CC-BY): https://www.dampfbahn-route.de/UserFiles_dbr/File/pressematerial/27_Museumsbahn_Schonheide_Mario_Poller.zip
 

In the Leipzig region:
➔ Kohlebahn Meuselwitz – Regis-Breitingen – Wild West feeling in the lignite mining area
The 900 mm gauge Kohlebahn Meuselwitz is one of the museum railways whose trains are sent out on long trips on selected days by volunteer railway workers. The trains, mostly hauled by a diesel locomotive at weekends during the holidays, shuttle between Meuselwitz in Thuringia and Regis-Breitingen in Saxony. On 15/16 August, the Kohlebahn trains will take passengers to the Westerntage in the Western town of Haselbach, which has everything such a town needs across 2 ha: a church, a school, a bank and many other attractions, such as a portable steam engine driving a frame saw and a forging hammer. Of course, the town also has people in authentic dress. Many almost forgotten crafts – basket makers, shoemakers, bobbin lace makers, a blacksmith, leather embossers, rope makers, dyers and woodcarvers – as well as settlers, Southerners and Northerners and Indigenous peoples meet the visitors here. Western-style music plays in the saloon and the marquee, and there is an extensive children’s programme from gold panning to pony rides. In addition, special family game trips run between Meuselwitz and the Western town of Haselbach every Wednesday during the holidays. On the way there are exciting quizzes and search games for children, while adults enjoy the scenery in open cars.
More information: www.kohlebahnen.de
 

in various regions
➔ Park railways partly also running on weekdays during the holidays:
Many of Saxony’s park railways are also increasing their services for the summer holidays. The Oldtimer-Parkeisenbahn in Görlitz, for example, invites visitors to ride on the 50-year-old replica of the legendary “Adler train” not only at weekends but also every Wednesday. There are further park railways in Dresden, Leipzig, Chemnitz and Plauen.
 

➔ On the last weekend of the holidays – school cone trips:
Before the new school year begins on 17 August, numerous railways invite visitors on the preceding weekend to “Zuckertüte” school cone trips or end-of-holiday trips – including almost all the park railways, but also the museum railway in Jöhstadt and the Weißeritztalbahn and Fichtelbergbahn on their 750 mm narrow-gauge lines. For children starting school, there are also trips on the 600 mm gauge Rauschenthalbahn and on the standard-gauge railways of the Eisenbahnfreunde Chemnitztal from Markersdorf-Taura, the Windbergbahn from Dresden-Gittersee and the railway enthusiasts in Schwarzenberg.
The STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony provides information on all these trips online at www.dampfbahn-route.de.
Download or order free of charge: “Kursbuch & Reiseführer 2026” (256 pages, DL format): www.dampfbahn-route.de/de/information/informationsmaterial/
 

Annex: Overview of event dates, STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony, summer holidays 2026
 

Contact: 

Sächsisch-Oberlausitzer Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH
STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony
Am Alten Güterboden 4
01445 Radebeul
Telephone: 0351 2134440 or 0176 64154718 (Mr Sacher) 0179 5064090 (Mr Marks)
 

Email: info@dampfbahn-route.de
Internet: www.dampfbahn-route.de
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dbrsachsen
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dampfbahn_route_sachsen
 

Note on the STEAM RAILWAY ROUTE Saxony project:
This measure is co-financed by tax revenue on the basis of the budget adopted by the members of the Saxon State Parliament.