Christmas Market Train to Arnsberg — Eisenbahnmuseum Bochum

The Bochum Railway Museum (Eisenbahnmuseum Bochum) runs a special train to the Christmas market in Arnsberg at the start of the Advent season.

The train is made up of the museum's historic coaches from the 1920s to the 1950s, and the museum announces it behind its P8 steam locomotive. It leaves from Bochum-Dahlhausen and runs by way of Hattingen, Hagen and Schwerte to Arnsberg, with live commentary on the line along the way. The coaches are decorated for Christmas, and the MEC Essen team runs a bar car with snacks and drinks.

From Arnsberg station it is a short uphill walk to the old town, where the market has stalls and huts, local food and warm drinks, craft demonstrations such as a wood turner at work, and a stage programme. The museum also points to the old town's lit gables, the castle ruins and the Sauerland Museum.

A full-day excursion: the train reaches Arnsberg in the afternoon and leaves again in the evening, giving several hours at the market. On board there is commentary on the route and a bar car with snacks and drinks. The return journey is in the decorated historic coaches.

The timetable lists Bochum-Dahlhausen S-Bahn station (platform 3), Hattingen (Ruhr, platform 1), Hagen Hbf and Schwerte (Ruhr). Boarding at the museum itself is not possible; the museum names Dahlhausen platform 3 as the boarding point. The ticket includes free 2nd-class travel on VRR local transport to and from the boarding stations. Adult fares are listed for 2nd and 1st class. Children up to 14 travel free with two adults; from 15 they pay the adult fare. The museum takes bookings and questions by phone (0234 492516) and by e-mail (sonderfahrten@eisenbahnmuseum-bochum.de).