Nikolausfahrten ab Lüneburg — Heide-Express

The Heide-Express is the museum railway of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Verkehrsfreunde Lüneburg e.V., a volunteer association that runs historic trains around Lüneburg, including on the line between Lüneburg and Bleckede.

For the Advent weekends the volunteers decorate the historic carriages of the museum train. The operator describes the ride as a festive atmosphere on board: the Nikolaus and his helpers board on the way and visit all the children at their places. He is happy to hear poems from the children or to sing Christmas carols with them, and every child receives a small present. The on-board catering serves drinks, mulled wine and sausages.

The Lüneburg rides are the first of the association's Nikolaus rides: the operator says they traditionally start on the first Advent weekend in Lüneburg. The train leaves Lüneburg station towards Bleckede, the ride lasts about two hours and it ends at the station where it started.

A ride of about two hours from Lüneburg station towards Bleckede and back to the starting station, in decorated historic carriages. The Nikolaus and his helpers visit every child at their seat, listen to poems or sing carols, and give each child a small present. Drinks, mulled wine and sausages are served on board.

Departs from Lüneburg main station (DB station), platform 4, towards Bleckede. Tickets are sold only in advance, through the operator's online booking or at its advance-sale points: the tourist information offices in Bleckede (Biosphaerium) and Lüneburg (town hall, Am Markt), Soltau Touristik and the tourist information in Winsen (Marstall); an advance-sale fee may be added. Fares are the same for adults and for children from one to fourteen years, and the Nikolaus bag is already included in the fare for children. Children under one travel free but have no right to their own seat or a Nikolaus bag. The operator always reserves seats together; families who want to sit with another family should book together or give the other family's name under special wishes in the booking.