Nikolausfahrten — Selfkantbahn

The Selfkantbahn, which the operator calls the last narrow-gauge steam light railway in North Rhine-Westphalia, runs Nikolaus trains that it says have been part of the Heinsberg region's programme since 1971 and draw well over 10,000 passengers a year, including visitors from Belgium and the Netherlands.

The small steam locomotive hauls up to eleven passenger cars, some heated with steam and the rest with briquettes; lighting is battery-powered, and conductors in thick winter coats check tickets with historic carbide lanterns. The trip runs from Gillrath station over the 5.5 km line towards Schierwaldenrath. Shortly after departure the train stops to pick up the Nikolaus, who arrives by historic carriage at Stahe and walks through the train giving presents to the children.

At Schierwaldenrath the train stays for about 25 minutes while the locomotive takes on water and coal, and the Nikolaus celebration takes place in the festival hall; the platform is decorated and food and drink are on sale. Boarding is possible only at Gillrath station.

A steam-hauled ride from Gillrath towards Schierwaldenrath, with the Nikolaus joining the train and giving presents to the children. At Schierwaldenrath there is a stay of about 25 minutes and a Nikolaus celebration in the festival hall, included in the fare; food and drink can be bought there.

Boarding is only possible at Gillrath station (Bergstraße 1, 52511 Geilenkirchen). Parking: the grounds of the neighbouring Moland agricultural trader, the fire station car park on Kreisbahnstraße, and the roadside of Bergstraße towards Teveren and the Teeuwen grounds. Public transport: the operator names Deutsche Bahn lines RE 4 and RB 33. Online tickets are paid by PayPal or bank transfer, not credit card. Seat reservations are possible only for groups of 16 or more; smaller parties choose their own seats, and the train takes up the whole length of the platform. The operator grants no concessions on these trains except the child fare. Children up to and including 15 need a ticket, apart from very young children who get neither a Nikolaus bag nor their own seat.