Nikolausfahrten — Hessencourrier

The Hessencourrier e.V. runs steam-hauled museum trains on the former Kleinbahn from Kassel to Naumburg, known locally as the "Naumburger Bahn". The 33.4 km line climbs from Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe to a summit near Hoof and descends to Naumburg, and the association shows passenger carriages from 1894 to 1956 that were saved from scrapping, many of them from Hessian lines.

In the weeks before Christmas the association offers Nikolaus rides. The operator describes the atmosphere in a well-heated steam train in which all the children watch out for the Nikolaus, who boards on the way and has a surprise for the little passengers. The outbound train runs from Kassel to Naumburg in the late morning and the return trip leaves Naumburg in mid-afternoon. On some of the dates a Christmas market is held directly at Naumburg station.

The operator warns that its vehicles are historic: carriages can have heavy wooden doors that open outwards, windows are opened with a hand crank or leather strap, and soot and coal particles can fly on the climbs, for which it takes no liability for soiled clothing. Seats are reserved by name with every online order.

A round trip between Kassel and Naumburg in a heated historic steam train: out in the late morning (about an hour and a half), the Nikolaus boarding on the way and giving presents to the children, a stay in Naumburg, then the return in the afternoon. On some dates a Christmas market is held at Naumburg station. Expect soot on the climbs and old carriages with wooden doors.

Departs from the Hessencourrier station at Johanna-Waescher-Straße 9, Kassel (about 150 m on foot from the old Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe Süd station; NVV stops Hasselweg or Marbachshöhe). Parking is available at weekends in the Technologiepark Marbachshöhe; there is no parking directly at Baunatal station, and Großenritte station has park-and-ride spaces. The online shop sells the whole round trip Kassel–Naumburg–Kassel; single journeys are only available from the conductors, subject to availability. An online order is also a seat reservation in your name, and the seats are marked on the train. Advance booking is strongly recommended in December; tickets can sometimes be bought from the conductors but with no guarantee of seats. Tickets are not taken back. Dogs are allowed on a short lead with a muzzle (a child ticket is needed for large dogs over 25 cm back height). There is no barrier-free access and no technical aid for wheelchair users. Pushchairs travel in the baggage or freight car; bicycles in a goods wagon. Toilets on the train may only be used while moving. Smoking is not allowed. Phone: 0561 81029484.