Rail Festival for "125 Years of the Brohltalbahn"

The celebrations kick off on Friday, October 2nd, at the Brohl Rhine parkland. Starting at 4 PM, a grand vehicle parade will roll all Brohltalbahn locomotives and guest vehicles past photographers and spectators. Expert commentary will bring the 125-year history of the railway – from its beginnings to today’s "Vulkan-Express" – to life, completely free of charge! Immediately afterward, you can join the "After Work Steam," an evening steam locomotive ride to Burgbrohl with burger dinner there, if you register in advance.

Three steam locomotives run hourly through the Brohltal Valley

On Saturday, October 3rd, and Sunday, October 4th, the big rail festival takes place on the roughly 18 km route between Brohl and Engeln. The historic "Vulkan-Express" brings guests from the Rhine into the Eifel every hour. Three (!) steam locomotives will be used – a feat not seen since the early 1960s! As back then, the 120-year-old original Brohltalbahn steam locomotive 11sm will play a central role in transporting trains in dense intervals into the Eifel. The other two locomotives welcome railway enthusiasts from the Brohltal Narrow Gauge Railway Interest Group (IBS) as guests on their home tracks. A 100-year-old cogwheel locomotive from the Swiss Brünig Steam Railway will also be in service, as will a 1909 machine from the friendly French Chemins de fer de la Baie des Somme. The regular encounters of these hissing and roaring locomotives will be a highlight, not just for train fans!

Supporting the steam engines are the historic diesel locomotives of the Brohltalbahn, which will mainly serve the steep route between Oberzissen and Engeln, as well as the Brohl harbor railway, also operated hourly. A nostalgic bus line will be running again, featuring vehicles from three generations providing regular rides along the route. There will be plenty of travel destinations!

The Brohltal celebrates its railway

Guests will find a magnificent festival program at almost every station, the likes of which have never been offered in such scope! In cooperation with the local communities, clubs, and tourism association, countless attractions and highlights in the Brohltal have been integrated into the rail festival. The dense train and bus schedule makes it easy to move effortlessly from one event location to another.

Traditionally, everything in Brohl revolves around the theme of railways. Here you can enjoy exhibitions of narrow and standard gauge locomotives, and anyone can ride right in the cab of a diesel locomotive. Regular tours through the 100-year-old workshop are part of the program, as are rides on the hand lever draisine and a driving simulator for train driver training. Stalls and activities, e.g., by the Brohl Volunteer Fire Department, along with musical entertainment, await visitors.

Those boarding the "Vulkan-Express" already have good reasons for a stop in the lower Brohltal: At the Schweppenburg-Heilbrunnen stop, the Mosenmühle opens its doors on Saturday, October 3rd. Regular tours through this last watermill in the Brohltal, exhibitions, music, and culinary offerings make it worth a visit. The next stop, Schmökermühle (formerly Jägerheim) in Bad Tönisstein, invites visitors on both days with wide-open doors into its newly created book refuge.

After passing through the tunnel, the next highlight waits in Burgbrohl: A large tractor and agriculture exhibition at the station area showcases numerous vintage tractors and remarkable treasures. Four tractors will even be seen throughout the valley, transported on freight wagons. The postal club from Wuppertal, also set up here, will reenact the former railway mail loading. Right next door, the Kaiserhalle hosts numerous highly detailed model railway layouts and historic tin toy trains. Several times daily, guided scenic hikes will be offered from the station across the tunnel to the Trass caves near Bad Tönisstein.

Model railways are also a big theme in Niederzissen: The "Narrow-Gauge EXPO" by the ArGe Schmalspur attracts visitors to the Bausenberg hall. With an open pottery workshop by Keramik-Ton-Art and a crafting activity on species protection, children will particularly enjoy the place. The exhibition of Niederzissen fire department vehicles next to the station and the opening of the former synagogue will also delight visitors. Guided e-bike tours, art exhibitions, and information booths complete the program.

In Oberzissen, the small cozy wine festival at the old school promises a few cheerful hours in a pleasant atmosphere. Musical entertainment, fine wines, and on Sunday visits from several Ahr wine queens draw guests to the celebration. Right next door, the newly renovated local history museum is open.

Those traveling the steep route all the way up to Engeln can continue their trip along the Brohltalbahn at 1:30 PM with a guided hike along the former railway track to the former terminal station Kempenich. You can also hike the Eastern Eifel Trail to Olbrück Castle, where a castle tour is offered on Sunday at 2 PM.

Stamp scavenger hunt for children

Railway workers of the IBS have created a little scavenger hunt especially for children. Up to six stamps can be collected on a postcard. Anyone who has collected at least four stamps by day’s end can pick up a small surprise in Brohl! The locations of the stamp stations will be announced on the website in time.

Tickets available at the counter

Tickets for the "Vulkan-Express" and historic buses are available at the ticket counters at Brohl BE station and the mobile post office at Burgbrohl station. Conductors on trains and buses also sell these popular tickets. Particularly recommended are the affordable day and weekend tickets, which are also available in family versions.

Tip for railway aficionados

A week after the big festival, on Friday, October 9th, a special photo trip with the Swiss guest locomotive will be held up to Engeln. The tour goes to the most scenic photo spots in the Brohltal and offers a unique chance to experience the Swiss cogwheel locomotive up close! All info and bookings are also online.

More information on schedules, prices, and programs at www.vulkan-express.de, buero@vulkan-express.de, and Tel.: 02636 / 80303.