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 6 September, Bahnwelt Darmstadt-Kranichstein invites you to join a special steam train journey departing from Darmstadt or Langen/Hesse and travelling along the banks of the Main in Frankfurt.
In partnership with the City of Frankfurt am Main’s Parks and Green Spaces Department, we are taking part in the “Rhine-Main Industrial Heritage Days”, whose theme this year is “The Dawn of the Modern Age”, an event also linked to the Frankfurt Rhine-Main World Design Capital 2026. In keeping with the theme, we will be visiting places that have shaped modern Frankfurt.
The trip is fully booked. Thank you for your interest!
Route
The train journey departs from Darmstadt Central Station at around 10.00 am (the train will be ready for boarding from around 9.40 am) and, on its way to Frankfurt, also stops at Langen/Hessen at around 10.20 am to pick up passengers. From there, the train continues to Frankfurt-Griesheim to join the harbour railway line.
The harbour railway stops at four stations, where passengers alight to learn about the area’s fascinating industrial history – past and present. Each stop relates to the central theme and the harbour railway’s role as a connecting link.
‘Westhafen’ stop: Information on Westhafen and the repurposing of the pressurised water plant
‘Eiserner Steg’ stop: The Eiserner Steg is the footbridge linking Sachsenhausen and the city centre. This was also the site of the Fahrtor station on the connecting railway line, which once linked the stations in the west with those in the east of the city.
On a stroll through the nearby Römer, you can explore the “new historic” old town and the cathedral, and experience both the old and modern sides of Frankfurt.
“Ruhrorter Werft” stop: A simulated journey by steam train from the Wesel shipyard over the ramp to the ECB; spectacular views of the Frankfurt skyline from the viewing platform of the listed crane facilities, with commentary on the ECB’s repurposing of the Grossmarkthalle.
Hafenpark Frankfurt exit: With details on the construction and development of the surrounding area as a “place to be”.
Finally, we head to the Osthafen, now an industrial hub and an essential transhipment and logistics centre for road, sea and rail transport.
From there, the route takes you over the Deutschherrnbrücke and through Frankfurt-Süd back to Darmstadt Central Station, where the eventful day ends at around 6.00 pm (Langen/Hesse at approx. 5.40 pm).
We’ll be travelling on steam locomotive 184 DEG, built in 1946, and a set of carriages from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Drinks and light snacks are available at our refreshment counter.
Prices and Tickets
| Adults | 56,00 € |
| Children (aged 4–14) | 28,00 € |
| Families (2 adults + up to 3 children) | 140,00 € |
You can buy tickets online here. Your booking confirmation serves as your ticket.
Further important notes:
- The Terms and Conditions for journeys with Bahnwelt Darmstadt-Kranichstein apply
- Due to the long journey time, this special trip is not really suitable for younger children.
- There is only a limited selection of cold drinks and snacks available on the train. We strongly recommend that you bring your own food and drink.
- Unfortunately, the toilets in the historic carriages cannot be used whilst the train is travelling on the Frankfurt Harbour Railway. There are toilets at several stops along the banks of the Main.
- At the start of the journey, you will be given an information leaflet detailing the route and instructions on how to behave when getting off.
- A limited number of leaflets from Frankfurt’s Parks and Green Spaces Department are available for further information on these historic sites.
