Special trip to the government bunker in Ahrweiler

On 22 August 2026, a special Bahnwelt train will take you from Darmstadt Central Station to the beautiful Ahr Valley! Known for its vineyards on steep slopes and now flourishing once more following the devastating floods of 2021, the region is a popular destination for hikers and those seeking relaxation.

The Ahr Valley also has something special to offer from a historical perspective: Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler was home to the top-secret strategic alternative headquarters of the federal constitutional bodies (AdVB), which was intended to ensure the German government could continue to function in the event of war. It was not until the 2000s that the facility was decommissioned following partial dismantling, and it has been open to visitors since 2008. The “Government Bunker Documentation Centre” is the main destination of this special tour.

Those who would prefer to sample the fine wines and other culinary delights of the Ahr Valley can instead visit the “Rural Wine Festival” in Walporzheim, which offers a varied programme.

The train travels directly to Ahrweiler-Marktbahnhof on the newly rebuilt Ahr Valley Railway and stops in Walporzheim a few minutes later. As the use of steam locomotives is usually restricted due to the risk of summer forest fires, the train is hauled by the historic electric locomotive 141 228-7.