Czech and Polish Steam Safari 44

No. 5, the largest 600 m gauge locomotive in Central Europe. The Mladejov railway features an 11 km long 600 mm narrow-gauge railway, on which you’ll enjoy a private charter in semi-open summer coaches. You make the full-length return journey, pausing for run-pasts along the way. In the late afternoon you return to Prague by service train. (B L)

Monday 9th October Main line steam in Central Bohemia from Luzna to Kralovice This morning you board a service train departing from Prague’s grand old Masaryk station, one of the oldest terminus stations in Europe, which first opened in 1845. Travelling by service train, you reach Luzna u Rakovnika, home to a large collection of steam locomotives at the Czech Republic’s premier railway museum. You have time to visit the roundhouse and see the collection, before a private steam charter takes you on the unusual line via Rakovnik to Kralovice. You have lunch at a typical Czech countryside inn and pause for photo stops. Traction today will either be provided by a Class 354 4-6-2 tank engine or a Class 423 2-8-2 tank engine. After arriving at Kralovice, you return by steam train to Luzna, before taking a regular train back to Prague. (B L)

Tuesday 10th October A day at leisure in Prague After several busy days chasing steam, today is simply designed to allow you to relax in Prague and enjoy all that this amazing city has to offer. (B)

Wednesday 11th October On to Ostrava, city sightseeing by private tram charter After breakfast, you transfer to Ostrava on a Czech Railways service train, arriving in the capital of Moravian Silesia by late afternoon. You check into your centrally located hotel, where you will be based for the remainder of the tour. In the afternoon you benefit from a sightseeing tour of the city taking you to all the principal sights in the fascinating industrial city. In the evening, dinner is served at the hotel. (B D)

Thursday 12th October Double-headed steam in Moravian Silesia on the Osoblaha narrow gauge railway A special narrow-gauge railway trip is in store today, as you take a Czech Railways service train from Ostrava via Opava to Tremesna to board a private steam charter on the idyllic line to Osoblaha. This remote yet serene railway runs through gentle fields and soft rolling hills, framed by church towers and dotted villages. The railway will put on a spectacular doubleheader including both the “Blue Behemoth” 0-10-0 tender locomotive U57.001 and the rugged Romanian Resita 0-8-0 tank engine. You will pause for pictures and run pasts at the most scenic locations, as lunch refreshments are served on the train. After a good day out by steam and a full return journey on the 20 km long branch line, you return to Ostrava where dinner is served in the hotel restaurant. (B L D)

Friday 13th October Narrow gauge steam in Poland at Rudy Raciborskie This small village in the countryside of Upper Silesia features one of the best preserved and most attractively rebuilt narrow gauge steam centres in Poland, including giant water tower and red-brick shed. The 7 km of reconditioned track is ideal for run-pasts and photography. The line’s 0-4-0 tank engine is in mint condition and the friendly crew will attractively pose it at various sites. After the steam round-trip by private charter, you continue to nearby Gliwice to visit the landmark radio tower and historic old town, where World War II started in Europe in September 1939. In the evening you return to Ostrava and arrive in time for dinner at the hotel (B L D)

Saturday 14th October Steam and Tramways in Bytom You return for one more day in Poland and today ride the amazing tramways in Bytom and Chorzow, enjoying a private charter through the streets of these historic cities. Then you visit the Bytom Karb yard, the largest narrow gauge marshalling yard in Poland and have a private steam charter for the full length of the Bytom narrow gauge railway to Miasteczko Slaskie, passing through the Tarnowskie Góry standard gauge yard. You pause for photos and run-pasts on a line that crosses what was the complicated border between Germany and Poland during the Interwar Years. Lunch is once again included today in Poland and dinner back at the hotel in Ostrava (B L D)

Sunday 15th October Train to Prague, return flight to London After breakfast at the hotel, you board a service train back to Prague, once again enjoying First Class amenities. At the Prague Main Station you have a direct and easy bus transfer onward to the airport for a return flight back to London. (B)

Tour Summary

Tour price £1995 Single supplement £395 Ground only £1845 (Prague – Prague)

Price includes:

• Flights from London to Prague and return • 10 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts • 8 lunches and 4 dinners • All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary • All specially chartered trips on heritage trams and vintage ships • All train and road coach travel as detailed in the itinerary • All transfers and visits as detailed in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

October 2023

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Tony Streeter Ian Baker

Steam and Christmas Markets in Germany

Thursday 30th November to Friday 8th December 2023

Discover the festive splendour of Christmas Markets in Germany, including the romantic Rhineland and enchanting Harz Mountains. Enjoy a unique steam holiday exploring historic towns and cities in a Winter Wonderland landscape. • This all-new winter tour is based in the vibrant city of Bonn and the picturesque town of Wernigerode. It offers travel refinement and a relaxed holiday experience for the seasoned traveller or Christmas Market newcomer alike. • You’ll steam on different gauges, while sightseeing historic cathedral cities and rural landscapes. • Enjoy a ride on the Drachenfels rack railway above the River Rhine, cruise in Frankfurt on the River Main as the city and its stunning skyline sparkle for nocturnal illumination and experience the large steam locomotive collection at the Frankfurter

Feldbahnmuseum. • A private charter on the metre gauge Brohltalbahn with its giant, green Malle steam locomotive is a special railway highlight. • In the Harz Mountains you can experience steam to the summit of Mount Brocken as often as you like, with a complimentary network rover ticket.

Thursday 30th November London to Bonn by rail Travel from London to Bonn by Eurostar and high speed rail. Arrive Bonn by late afternoon, in time to enjoy a mug of mulled wine and sample the culinary delights of the local Christmas Market, right next to the landmark cathedral. You are based here for the next 4 nights.

Friday 1st December Steam in the Rhineland with giant Mallet at the Brohltalbahn and Bonn Christmas Market

Today you sample the famed ‘Vulcan Express’ on the Brohltbahn heritage railway, which runs for 18 km from Brohl to Engeln in the heart of the beautiful Rhineland. The star attraction is the mighty 0-4-4-0 Mallet tank engine No. 11, which will haul your privately chartered steam train and along the way pause for run-pasts. Coffee, cake and mulled wine will be served on the train. On the return to Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, you are free to enjoy the local Christmas Market, which is near the main station and attractively framed by the impressive cathedral. Here you may once again embark on a culinary journey of discovery and sample typical festive fare. (B)

Saturday 2nd December Steam in Frankfurt and River Main illuminations cruise After breakfast you take a DB ICE on the high speed line directly to Frankfurt am Main. You then transfer to the local steam railway at the Frankfurter Feldbahnmuseum by tramway. This delightful narrow gauge railway has one of the largest 600 mm gauge (two foot) steam locomotive collections in Europe and also runs through a charming park. You will have a private steam charter, which will include numerous run-pasts and photo stops, skillfully organized by the volunteer crew. In the afternoon you venture to the Old Town of Frankfurt where you enjoy refreshments at the city’s famous Christmas Market. Then, as the nocturnal illuminations commence, you enjoy a sightseeing cruise on the River Main, taking in the spectacular scenery of Germany’s tallest skyline. The cruise includes complimentary mulled wine, beer and other nonalcoholic beverages. In the evening you return to Bonn on the high speed line by ICE. (B)