Historic special train to the banks of the Main in Frankfurt
A "special kind of train" leads through the industrial history of the inner-city banks of the River Main
On Sunday, 10 August, Bahnwelt Darmstadt-Kranichstein welcomes its passengers to a special journey along the banks of the Main in Frankfurt.
As part of this year’s “Route of Industrial Heritage Rhine-Main”, the journey will focus on the themes of “Water” (from 2023) and “Shift Change” (in 2025). For Bahnwelt Darmstadt-Kranichstein as a long-standing cooperation partner of the “Route”, this is reason enough to make up for the special trip that was cancelled in September 2023 for technical reasons.
With the steam locomotive DEG 184 from 1946 and a two-axle coach set from the 1960s, the train journey starts from Darmstadt main station at around 9.15 am and ends there again at around 6.30 pm (you will receive the exact timetable by e-mail or on this page).
Route
From Darmstadt Hbf, the train runs to Frankfurt West without stopping. From there, the train changes direction and travels via the connecting loop from Ffm-Gallus to Frankfurt-Griesheim to reach the tracks of the harbour railway.
There are at least four stops on the harbour railway, where you can get off to learn about the exciting industrial history of the place “then and now”. Always with reference to the focus topics and the connecting link of the harbour railway.
Exit “Westhafen”: Explanations of the western harbour and pressurised waterworks
Exit “Nizza” (not guaranteed in case of delay): With short tour and explanation of the Mediterranean planting of the listed section of the shore
Exit “Eiserner Steg”: Operational stop with opportunity for refreshments and toilet use
Exit “Weseler Werft”: Explanations on the former use of the shipyard
Possibility to walk from there to the bastion of the Ruhrort shipyard, 300 metres away
Exit “Ruhrorter Werft”: With mock approach of the shunted steam train over the ramp to the ECB, explanations of the wholesale market hall and the industrial monument “harbour cranes, banana and coal wagons”;
Operating stop “Hafenbahnhof Ost”: With change of direction and shunting run to Frankfurt-Ost
From there, the journey continues via Deutschherrnbrücke and Frankfurt-Süd back to Darmstadt Hbf.
In keeping with the focus theme, the steam locomotive also needs feed water on its journey: how and when this happens remains a surprise!
Prices
| adults | 56,00 € |
| Children (4-14 years) | 28,00 € |
Due to the long journey time, this special trip is not suitable for smaller children.
Tickets are available online here. The booking confirmation serves as your ticket.
Further important notes:
- The general terms and conditions for journeys operated by Bahnwelt Darmstadt-Kranichstein apply
- A limited supply of cold drinks and bockwurst is offered on the train. We strongly recommend that you bring your own catering.
- Unfortunately, the toilets in the historic carriages cannot be used during the journey. There are toilets in several places at the exits on the banks of the Main.
- You will receive an information flyer about the route and instructions on how to behave at the exits when you start your journey.
- For additional information on the historical sites, a limited number of flyers are available from the Frankfurt Parks Department.
