Nikolausfahrten — Kuckucksbähnel

The Kuckucksbähnel is the museum railway of the DGEG Eisenbahnmuseum in Neustadt an der Weinstraße. It runs from Neustadt main station to Elmstein through the Elmstein valley in the Palatinate Forest; the first kilometres to Lambrecht are on the Deutsche Bahn main line, and the museum railway has operated on the former Lambrecht–Elmstein branch since 1984.

In the weeks before Christmas the museum offers its Nikolaus trains. The train leaves Neustadt main station in the afternoon. At the Breitenstein halt the Nikolaus is already waiting; after a short stop he invites passengers on a short torch walk (depending on the weather) while the train runs ahead to the next halt, where they board again. Passengers with limited mobility can simply stay on the train.

At Elmstein the Nikolaus gives a Christmas present to the children, and a small programme with pre-Christmas music is held at the station. The operator lists its fares without the gift, which is booked as an add-on. While the locomotive and train are prepared for the return journey, there is about an hour at the platform, where a snack can be bought. The cars are heated and the train is back in Neustadt in the evening.

The programme is designed for families with children rather than for group outings, and the operator allocates the limited seats by a lottery because demand far exceeds the places available.

An afternoon and evening trip of about four hours: departure around 15:00 from Neustadt main station, the Nikolaus waiting at the Breitenstein halt, an optional short torch walk, a Christmas present from the Nikolaus for children whose booking includes the gift add-on, and pre-Christmas music at Elmstein, about an hour at the platform, and arrival back in Neustadt around 19:00. The cars are heated and every ticket includes a reserved seat, except for toddlers up to and including age 3, who have no seat of their own.

Departs from Neustadt (Weinstraße) main station, platform 5; tickets and the Nikolaus gift tokens are collected the day of the trip at the ticket counter at the green container on platform 5, which opens about 90 minutes before departure. There is no direct booking: families pre-register in a set period and the tickets are then drawn by lottery. Each booking is invoiced and the invoice is payable within ten days. Seats are reserved, and tickets booked together are seated together. Groups of more than eight people (small children included) cannot be accepted, and bookings with children are given priority when demand is high. Fares are listed without the gift, which can be added to a booking; food and drinks are not included. Only folding pushchairs and walking aids can be carried. For the optional torch walk the operator recommends sturdy shoes, weatherproof clothing and, if possible, a torch. The train follows a timetable and does not wait for late guests. Phone: 06321 30390.