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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

Winter Steam in Germany

Eight-day escorted steam railway tour across Frankfurt, Erfurt, and the Harz Mountains

Illustration of Winter Steam in Germany

The Railway Touring Company's Winter Steam in Germany is an eight-day escorted rail holiday designed for steam enthusiasts and railway historians. Departing from London via Eurostar Plus and First Class rail, the tour combines main line steam, industrial heritage railways, and narrow-gauge mountain lines across central Germany, from Frankfurt through Erfurt to the Harz region. The itinerary balances locomotive-focused experiences (four private or exclusive steam charters on separate heritage railways) with cultural exploration: a guided tour of the Meiningen Steam Locomotive Works, Germany's last active workshop for steam locomotives; time to explore medieval Erfurt and historic Frankfurt; and a single day that spans more than 130 kilometres of steam-hauled travel on the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways, culminating at Mount Brocken, the highest summit in northern Germany. Accommodation is in Frankfurt (3 nights) and Erfurt (4 nights), with meals, all steam excursions, and a Tour Manager included throughout. The tour runs in January, with departures at GBP 2,545 with international rail or GBP 2,250 ground only.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: January 2027. Confirm availability and dates with the operator.
  • The ground-only tier (GBP 2,250) does not include UK-Europe-UK rail or flight services or airport transfers on days 1 and 8.
  • Day 7 description in the itinerary ends with ellipsis; confirm the evening arrangements and return to Erfurt with the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Frankfurt

    London to Frankfurt

    Travel from London to Germany by Eurostar Plus and high-speed First Class rail via Brussels to Frankfurt. Check into a centrally located hotel, then join fellow travellers for a welcome dinner and introduction to the steam adventures ahead.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Frankfurt

    Main line steam and the Frankfurt Harbour Railway

    Steam experience at the historic Hanau roundhouse with 2-8-2T steam locomotive TKt48-160 in steam, exclusive cab rides and photographic opportunities. The locomotive then hauls a special train over Frankfurt's Harbour Railway alongside the River Main and through the city's waterfront districts, with photo stops and filming opportunities, before returning to Hanau.

  3. Day 3overnight: Frankfurt

    Steam at the Frankfurter Feldbahnmuseum

    A day at the Frankfurter Feldbahnmuseum, home to one of Europe's largest collections of 600 mm gauge steam locomotives. A private steam charter hauled by the museum's 1914 0-8-0 'Brigadelok' No.8 provides run-pasts, photo opportunities and narrow-gauge steam action; light refreshments including mulled wine, grilled sausages and sweet pastries served on site.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Erfurt

    High-speed rail to Erfurt

    Travel by DB high-speed ICE train from Frankfurt to the medieval city of Erfurt. Free afternoon to explore at leisure, with a tram rover ticket included for Erfurt's tram network. Dinner served at the hotel.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Erfurt

    Meiningen Steam Locomotive Works

    Travel by regional train through the scenic hills and forests of Thuringia to Meiningen, home to Deutsche Bahn's last active steam locomotive works, for a guided tour of the workshops including the boiler hall and locomotives under overhaul. Lunch at a local restaurant, with time to explore Meiningen's historic centre before returning to Erfurt.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Erfurt

    Steam through the Harz Mountains to Mount Brocken

    Train from Erfurt to Nordhausen to join the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways, steam hauled along the historic trunk route to Drei Annen Hohne, where another locomotive takes over for the climb to Mount Brocken, the highest summit in northern Germany. Time at the summit for photographs and refreshments before descending by steam and returning to Erfurt, a day of more than 130 kilometres of steam-hauled travel.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Erfurt

    The Mansfeld Railway and Stassfurt Roundhouse

    Travel to Klostermansfeld for a private steam charter on the Mansfeld Railway, Germany's oldest preserved narrow-gauge railway, behind a powerful 0-8-0 steam locomotive, with run-pasts and photography along the route to Hettstedt past former mining landscapes and slag heaps. Visit the depot, photograph the locomotive beneath the town's clock tower, lunch at the preserved 1876 station building, then continue to Stassfurt to explore one of Germany's most impressive preserved railway roundhouses and enjoy a private heritage train ride.

  8. Day 8rail

    Return to London

    Travel back to London by First Class ICE and Eurostar Plus services via Frankfurt and Brussels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: Steam locomotive TKt48-160 hauls a special train over Frankfurt's Harbour Railway alongside the River Main and through the city's waterfront districts.
  • Day 3Day 3: Private narrow-gauge steam charter behind the 1914 Brigadelok No.8 at the Frankfurter Feldbahnmuseum, with mulled wine and grilled sausages served on site.
  • Day 6Day 6: More than 130 kilometres of steam-hauled travel on the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways, ascending to Mount Brocken, the highest summit in northern Germany.
  • Day 7Day 7: Private steam charter on the Mansfeld Railway behind a powerful 0-8-0 locomotive through former mining landscapes, with lunch at the preserved 1876 station building.

Included

  • Eurostar Plus and First Class rail travel on international rail services
  • First Class rail travel within Germany (where possible)
  • 7 Nights hotel accommodation
  • 8 Breakfasts
  • 3 Lunches
  • 2 Dinners
  • All featured steam charters
  • Railway excursions and museum visits as detailed in the itinerary
  • Guided tour of the Meiningen Steam Locomotive Works
  • Erfurt tram rover ticket
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the eight days.
What is included in the price?
The from-price includes Eurostar Plus and First Class international rail travel (London to Frankfurt and return), First Class rail within Germany, 7 nights hotel accommodation, 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners, all four featured steam charters, the Meiningen works tour, and an Erfurt tram rover ticket. The ground-only option (GBP 2,250) excludes UK-Europe rail and flight services and airport transfers.
Which steam railways are featured?
Four: the Frankfurt Harbour Railway (main line steam), the Frankfurter Feldbahnmuseum (600 mm narrow-gauge), the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (mountain steam to Mount Brocken), and the Mansfeld Railway (Germany's oldest preserved narrow-gauge line).
How much of the trip is spent on trains?
Approximately 85 percent of the eight days involve rail travel, ranging from international Eurostar and ICE services to heritage steam charters and the Harz mountain railway.
What is the physical activity level?
Moderate. The itinerary includes city walking in Frankfurt and Erfurt, climbing and descending Harz trains to Mount Brocken, walking at heritage railway sites, and a guided tour of the Meiningen works.
When does this tour depart?
One departure is currently listed: January 2027 at GBP 2,545 (with international rail) or GBP 2,250 (ground only).

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