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Fichtelbergbahn Steam Railway

Fichtelbergbahn Lok

ABOVE: A locomotive of the Fichtelbergbahn takes on water at a station along the 17-km line, which offers scheduled service to Germany's highest town.

Fichtelbergbahn steam engineMany steam railroads offer excursions, but the Fichtelbergbahn, or Fichtel Mountain Railway, is one of the few that operate scheduled service for tourists and commuters throughout the year. On any given day, three to five trains cover the scenic 17.4-km or 10.8-mile stretch between Cranzahl and Kurort Oberwiesenthal, the highest town in Germany with an elevation of 893 meters or 2,930 feet. Travel time is approximately one hour, and some trains have buffet cars where you can enjoy beer, snacks, coffee, or cakes.

The Fichtelbergbahn is a narrow-gauge railroad, with a track width of 750 mm. The line opened in 1897, and it currently has five steam locomotives that were built from 1952 to1956. (The 30 passenger and baggage cars entered service between 1913 and 1932.)

In addition to its normal schedule, the Fichtelbergbahn operates special trains such as an Easter Bunny express, a Nikolausfahrt or Santa Claus excursion, Moonlight rides, and an Ascension Day/Father's Day trip with musical entertainment.

For more information, including timetables, visit the railroad's Web site.

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More photos:

Kurort Oberwiesenthal station

Passenger cars are parked on sidings at the Fichtelbergbahn's main depot in Kurort Oberwiesenthal, Germany.


Fichtelbergbahn steam locomotive

The five engines of the Fichtelbergbahn are the most powerful 750-mm narrow-gauge locomotives ever built, with a capacity of 600 horsepower each. The engines burn hard coal.


Fichtelbergbahn train on curve

As the train puffs along a winding route with nine stations and six bridges (including the dramatic Hüttenbach mountain viaduct), you can take photos from the open platforms between the passenger cars.


Fichtelbergbahn passenger car

Don't expect much in the way of creature comforts--the Fichtelberg's carriages have wooden benches, which are fine for a journey that lasts about an hour.


Fichtelbergbahn conductor

During the trip between Cranzahl and Kurort Oberwiesenthal (or vice versa), a friendly conductor will punch your tickets and answer questions about the train.


Saxony transportation articles:
Railroading in Saxony
Chemnitz-Hilbersdorf:
Schauplatz Eisenbahn
Dresden:
Dresden Park Railway
Schwebebahn Dresden Suspension Railway
Erzgebirge - Ore Mountains (near Czech border):
Fichtelbergbahn Steam Railway
Fichtelberg Schwebebahn - Aerial Cable Car
Saxon Narrow-Gauge Museum Rittersgrün
Ore Mountains Model Railway Park
Wolkensteiner Zughotel - Train Hotel and Restaurant

About the author:

Durant Imboden photo.Durant Imboden is a professional travel writer, book author, and editor who focuses on European cities and transportation.

After 4-1/2 years of covering European travel topics for About.com, Durant and Cheryl Imboden co-founded Europe for Visitors (now including Germany for Visitors) in 2001. The site has earned "Best of the Web" honors from Forbes and The Washington Post.

For more information, see About Europe for Visitors, press clippings, and reader testimonials.