Nikolausexpress — Fichtelbergbahn

The Nikolausexpress is a themed steam ride on the Fichtelbergbahn, the narrow-gauge line run by Sächsische Dampfeisenbahngesellschaft (SDG) between Cranzahl and Kurort Oberwiesenthal. The operator describes a steam ride through the snow-covered Ore Mountains landscape, with a Christmas feel and, as it puts it, perhaps a very special guest on board.

On the day of the Nikolausexpress, St Nicholas boards the train. According to the operator he strolls through the carriages with his jute sack and is pleased when children recite a Christmas poem or sing a winter song; he keeps a small surprise ready for the young passengers. The operator states that every child in the reserved cars receives a gift from the man in the red coat.

The programme consists of eight trips, alternating between departures from Cranzahl and from Kurort Oberwiesenthal. A seat reservation is mandatory. The operator adds that it only needs a certain quota of seats for the Nikolausexpress, so riding the Fichtelbergbahn remains possible even when a trip is marked "ausgebucht" (fully booked).

A steam ride through the Ore Mountains lasting a little under an hour per trip (the operator lists trip windows of about 55 to 60 minutes), with St Nicholas walking through the cars and a small gift for the children in the reserved cars. Children are welcome to recite a Christmas poem or sing a winter song for him.

Departures alternate between Cranzahl and Kurort Oberwiesenthal (the Fichtelbergbahn headquarters are at Bahnhofstraße 7, 09484 Kurort Oberwiesenthal). The regular Fichtelbergbahn fare applies and a seat reservation is mandatory; the operator takes reservations trip by trip on the event page of its own website. The operator says riding is still possible when a trip is shown as fully booked. Phone: +49 (0) 37348 151-0.