Nostalgie-Bahnfest des Vulkan-Express

The 125th anniversary year of the Brohltalbahn is heading toward its climax: For the big railway festival on October 3 and 4, 2026, the railway staff are expecting two guest steam locomotives—one from Switzerland and one from France. In addition to the trains running hourly, a varied program of events awaits guests at nearly all stations.

The festivities begin as early as Friday (Oct. 2) at the Brohl Rhine Park. Starting at 4:00 p.m., all of the Brohltalbahn’s locomotives, along with the guest railcars, will roll past photographers and spectators in a grand parade. With expert commentary, visitors can experience the railroad’s 125-year history—from its beginnings to today’s “Vulkan-Express”—and it’s even free! Immediately afterward, after registering, you can take part in “After Work Steam,” an evening steam train ride to Burgbrohl that includes a burger dinner there.

Three steam locomotives running hourly through the Brohltal Valley
On Saturday (Oct. 3) and Sunday (Oct. 4), the big railroad festival will take place along the approximately 18-kilometer-long route between Brohl and Engeln. Every hour, the historic “Vulkan-Express” will take guests from the Rhine to the Eifel. Three (!) steam locomotives will be in service—something that hasn’t happened since the early 1960s! Just as back then, the 120-year-old original Brohltalbahn steam locomotive 11sm will play a leading role in transporting trains to the Eifel at frequent intervals. The other two locomotives are being welcomed as guests on the local tracks by the railroaders of the Brohltal Narrow-Gauge Railroad Association (IBS). A 100-year-old cogwheel locomotive from the Swiss Brünig Steam Railway will also be in service, as will a locomotive built in 1909 by our partner organization, the French Chemins de fer de la Baie des Somme. The regular encounters between these hissing and puffing locomotives will be a highlight—not just for railroad enthusiasts!
The steam locomotives will be supported by the historic diesel locomotives of the Brohltalbahn, which will primarily serve the steep stretch between Oberzissen and Engeln as well as the Brohler Hafenbahn, which also runs hourly. A nostalgic bus line will also be back in service, providing regular rides along the route with vehicles spanning three generations. After all, there will be plenty of destinations to choose from!

The Brohltal Celebrates Its Railroad
At nearly all stations, guests can expect a festive program befitting the occasion—one of a scale never before seen! In collaboration with the local communities, local clubs, and the tourism association, we’ve succeeded in integrating countless attractions and highlights in the Brohl Valley with the railroad festival. The frequent train and bus schedules make it easy to move effortlessly from one event venue to another.
As is tradition, everything in Brohl will revolve around the theme of railroads. There will be exhibitions of narrow- and standard-gauge locomotives, and everyone will have the chance to ride along in the cab of a diesel locomotive. Regular guided tours of the 100-year-old workshop are just as much a part of the program as rides on the hand-cranked railcar or a driving simulator for locomotive engineer training. Visitors can look forward to booths and activities—such as those organized by the Brohl Volunteer Fire Department—and, of course, musical entertainment.
Anyone boarding the “Vulkan-Express” will already have good reasons to make a stop in the lower Brohl Valley: At the Schweppenburg-Heilbrunnen stop, the Mosenmühle will open its doors on Saturday (Oct. 3). Regular guided tours of this last watermill in the Brohl Valley, along with exhibitions, music, and culinary delights, make a visit well worth it. One stop further on, the Schmökermühle (formerly Jägerheim) in Bad Tönisstein will have its doors wide open on both days, offering a glimpse into its newly created book haven.
After passing through the tunnel , the next highlight awaits in Burgbrohl : a large tractor and agricultural exhibition on the train station grounds features numerous vintage vehicles and rare treasures worth seeing. Four of the tractors will even be loaded onto freight cars and displayed throughout the valley. The Wuppertal Postal Association, also exhibiting here, will reenact the former railway mail loading process. Right next door, in the Kaiserhalle, numerous highly detailed model railroad layouts as well as historic tin toy trains will be on display. Several times a day, guided hikes with scenic views will also depart from the station, crossing the tunnel to the Trass Caves near Bad Tönisstein.
Model railroads are also a major attraction in Niederzissen: the “Narrow-Gauge EXPO” organized by ArGe Schmalspur draws visitors to the Bausenberghalle. With the open pottery workshop “Keramik-Ton-Art” and a craft activity focused on species conservation, children will especially enjoy themselves here. Visitors will also be delighted by the exhibition of Niederzissen’s fire trucks right next to the train station and the opening of the former synagogue. Guided e-bike tours, art exhibitions, and information booths round out the program.
In Oberzissen, meanwhile, the small, cozy wine festival at the old school promises a few enjoyable hours in a lovely atmosphere. Musical entertainment, fine wines, and—on Sundays—a visit from several wine queens from the Ahr region will draw visitors to the festival. Right next door, the newly redesigned local history museum has opened its doors.
Those who travel up the steep stretch to Engeln can continue their journey along the Brohltalbahn at 1:30 p.m. with a guided hike along the former railroad tracks to the former terminal station in Kempenich. You can also hike along the Osteifelweg to Olbrück Castle, where a guided tour of the castle is offered on Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Stamp Scavenger Hunt for Kids
The IBS railroad staff has also organized a special scavenger hunt just for kids. Up to six stamps can be collected on a postcard. Anyone who has collected at least four stamps by the end of the day can pick up a little surprise in Brohl! The locations of the stamp stations will be announced on the website in advance.

Tickets are available at the ticket counter
Tickets for the “Vulkan-Express” and the historic buses are available at the ticket counter at Brohl BE Station as well as at the mobile post office counter at Burgbrohl Station. Conductors on the trains and buses also sell these popular tickets. We especially recommend the affordable day and weekend tickets, which are also available in family versions.

Tip for rail enthusiasts
One week after the big festival, an additional special photo tour with the Swiss guest locomotive all the way up to Engeln will be organized on Friday (Oct. 9) especially for rail enthusiasts. The tour takes you to the most beautiful photo spots in the Brohl Valley and offers a unique opportunity to experience the Swiss cogwheel locomotive up close! All information and bookings are also available online.
For more information on schedules, prices, and programs, visit www.vulkan-express.de, buero@vulkan-express.de, or call 02636 / 80303.