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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail tour

Steam, Markets and Festive Highlights of Northern Germany and the Baltic Coast

Seven-day Advent rail tour: steam charters, Christmas markets, Baltic narrow-gauge trains

Illustration of Steam, Markets and Festive Highlights of Northern Germany and the Baltic Coast

The Railway Touring Company's 7-day Advent tour combines high-speed rail from London with heritage steam charters and narrow-gauge railway rides across northern Germany and the Baltic coast. Departing London St Pancras in First Class via Brussels and Cologne, the journey reaches Munster, where travellers enjoy the city's Christmas market and a main line steam charter with the 1923 Prussian tank engine 78 468 over rare freight-only track in Westfalia, including photo stops and a warm lunch on board. The tour then travels to the Hanseatic city of Rostock, which serves as a base for four nights. From there, The Railway Touring Company arranges excursions on three narrow-gauge heritage railways: the Molli, famous for its street-running section in Bad Doberan along the Baltic coast; the Racing Roland on the Island of Rugen, with time to explore beaches and boardwalks; and a service train to Peenemunde on the Island of Usedom for the World War II V2 rocket factory museum. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, with dinners at historic restaurants and all transfers included. This itinerary suits repeat rail travellers with an interest in steam locomotives, World War II history, and festive Christmas markets.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure confirmed for December 2026; book well ahead if this date fits your schedule
  • The Ground Only option excludes all rail travel from the UK and requires you to arrange your own transfers on arrival and departure days

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Munster

    London to Munster by high speed rail

    Eurostar, Thalys and ICE high speed services from London St Pancras via Brussels and Cologne to Munster. Check into a quality, centrally located hotel; welcome dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Munster

    Main line steam with 78 468 over freight-only track in Westfalia

    Charter with the 1923 Prussian T18 tank engine 78 468 over the freight-only 'Teuto-Express' track from Lengerich via Ibbenburen to Bad Laer and return, with photo stops, run-pasts, mulled wine, cakes and a warm lunch on board. Free time in Munster's Christmas Market in the late afternoon.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Rostock

    By train to Rostock via Hamburg; Rostock Christmas Market

    DB ICE and IC trains via Hamburg Hauptbahnhof to the Hanseatic city of Rostock, with a complimentary public transport rover ticket. Group dinner at the historic Ratskeller.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Rostock

    Steam at the Molli Railway along the Baltic Coast

    Reserved seats on the 900mm gauge 'Molli' railway (15.4km) from Bad Doberan to Kuhlungsborn along the Baltic Coast, returning to film the street-running section in Bad Doberan, then back to Rostock with free time for the Christmas Market.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Rostock

    Steam on the Island of Rugen and historic Stralsund

    Service train via Stralsund to Putbus, then the narrow-gauge 'Racing Roland' railway (24km) via Binz to Gohren, with time on the beach and boardwalk before returning to Putbus behind a different steam locomotive and on to Rostock via Stralsund.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Rostock

    World War II history on the Island of Usedom at Peenemunde

    Service train branch line from Zinnowitz to Peenemunde, terminus of the V2 rocket factory museum. Return to Rostock for a group dinner at the Ratskeller.

  7. Day 7

    Return to London

    DB IC and ICE trains from Rostock to Cologne, then high speed services to Brussels and London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Charter ride on the 1923 Prussian T18 tank engine 78 468 over freight-only track from Lengerich via Ibbenburen to Bad Laer, with photo stops, run-pasts, mulled wine, and a warm lunch on board
  • Day 3Travel by DB ICE and IC trains via Hamburg Hauptbahnhof to Rostock, with complimentary public transport rover ticket and dinner at the historic Ratskeller
  • Day 4Ride the 900mm gauge Molli railway from Bad Doberan to Kuhlungsborn along the Baltic Coast, returning to film the famous street-running section in Bad Doberan
  • Day 5Travel the 24km narrow-gauge Racing Roland railway on the Island of Rugen via Binz to Gohren, with time on the beach and boardwalk, then return behind a different steam locomotive
  • Day 6Service train to Peenemunde on the Island of Usedom to visit the World War II V2 rocket factory museum

Included

  • High Speed train travel from London to Munster and from Rostock to London in First Class
  • Standard Class travel on regional service trains along the Baltic Coast
  • 6 nights accommodation with breakfast
  • 2 lunches
  • 3 dinners
  • All seat reservations and transfers
  • All private charter trains as detailed in the itinerary
  • All steam train rides and railway charters outlined in the programme
  • Local public transport and rail rover tickets included
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The Tour Price includes high-speed First Class rail from London St Pancras to Munster, Standard Class regional trains, and all private steam railway charters and narrow-gauge rides detailed in the itinerary. The Ground Only option excludes UK rail travel.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the 7 days.
What is included in the price?
The Tour Price includes high-speed and regional rail travel, 6 nights accommodation with breakfast, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, all seat reservations and transfers, private charter trains, steam train rides, public transport rover tickets, and the Tour Manager's services.
Which hotels are used?
A quality centrally located hotel in Munster for 2 nights, and a hotel in Rostock for 4 nights.
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary includes time on beaches and boardwalks, street-running railway sections to film, and visits to Christmas markets and a museum. No lengthy hikes are mentioned.
When does this tour depart?
One departure is confirmed for December 2026 at GBP 2,395 per person.

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