ATTENTION: The 2023 ETE 50th Anniversary Trip is SOLD OUT! If you'd like to be put on the standby list, please email us and let us know if you're interested in a single or double room. Also, depending on how successful the trip is, another one may be planned in 2024 or 2025.
Join your fellow ETE members (and their companions) for a two-week-plus railfanning adventure across Germany and Switzerland. With prototype and model railroad venues on the agenda, along with non-train-centric options on multiple days, the trip is sure to check the boxes on many train fan's bucket list.
Whether you are a veteran European traveler or taking your first trip 'across the pond', you are sure to enjoy the mix of structure and freedom the itinerary provides, along with the camaraderie you'll build with those that share your fascination with European trains and railroading.
Tour dates are September 1, 2023 through September 17. The Itinerary is expected to be as follows:
Whether you are a veteran European traveler or taking your first trip 'across the pond', you are sure to enjoy the mix of structure and freedom the itinerary provides, along with the camaraderie you'll build with those that share your fascination with European trains and railroading.
Tour dates are September 1, 2023 through September 17. The Itinerary is expected to be as follows:
Friday, September 1: Welcome to Germany! Our tour starts in the historic city of Eisenach. Known as the place where Martin Luther translated the bible as well as the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach, this beautiful city was an early capital of Thuringia in the 12th and 13th centuries. It is a fitting start to our trip, and provides easy access, as it sits on the railway line from Frankfurt to Berlin, and is an ICE (Intercity Express- Germany's high-speed train) stop as well. Plus, with our trip members able to take advantage of the extra days on your Eurail pass, your train travel to our first destination is flexible and likely included. Our hotel is the four-star Hotel Kaiserhof, a five-minute walk from the train station. Our trip officially kicks off with a reception at the hotel at 18:00 (6:00 p.m.) to allow our participants to get to know each other or to reacquaint themselves with their fellow ETE members.
Saturday, September 2: What better way to start the trip than a train festival! Every year, an event is hosted by the railway repair depot in Meiningen, Germany. The facility has specialized in steam locomotive repair and maintenance since the 1990's. Today, customers of the factory include railway museums and museum railways from all over Europe. As you can imagine, the annual Meiningen Steam Festival is a 'must see' for any railway enthusiast, with unprecedented access to the grounds and facilities. The collection of rolling stock, displays, layouts and vendor booths are the icing on the Meiningen cake! Less than an hour from Eisenach, it's a great jumping-off point for our trip. What's more, the flexibility of your rail pass allows you to stay as long or as little as you like. Got jetlag? Head back to the hotel for a nap before dinner. Still searching for that elusive model locomotive or conductor's hat? Stay as long as you wish.
With the beautiful and historic city of Eisenach at our disposal, an alternate schedule is available for those not interested in the Meiningen event. Enjoy a guided (in English) walking tour of Eisenach, featuring the picturesque St. Nikolas church, a stop for ice cream on the market square, and culminating with a visit to Wartburg castle, Eisenach's most recognized landmark.
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A dinner at an unusual restaurant with a traditionally Thuringian menu is planned for the entire group in Eisenach that evening.
Sunday, September 3: After breakfast it's time to pack, as we are headed to our next destination, the Hanseatic port of Hamburg. It's our first train ride as a group, and will involve changing trains in Fulda and Hamburg Hauptbahnhof (main station). We'll have some time in Fulda to grab lunch, or you can opt for grabbing a bite (and a beer) in the Speisewagen, or dining car, of our train. About five hours after departing Eisenach we'll check in to the Intercity Hotel Hamburg-Barmbek. The afternoon is yours to explore Hamburg if you wish. There may be an impromptu group heading out for a harbor tour in the afternoon, and a visit to the Reperbahn, Hamburg's famed red-light district, is planned for those who wish to join for some excitement that evening.
Monday, September 4: Whether it was partying on the Reperbahn or railfanning at Barmbek station, we start a more leisurely day today, giving those who had a late night a chance to recover. After breakfast at the hotel it's a short U-bahn (city train) ride to the highlight of the Hamburg leg of the trip, the massive and breathtaking train layout at Miniatur Wunderland. The 16,000-plus square foot exhibit includes 1,300 trains made up of over 10,000 passenger and freight cars, over 100,000 vehicles, many of which are in motion, and approximately 500,000 lights, 130,000 trees, and 400,000 human figurines. Even if you have visited 'MiWuLa' before, the new South America section, as well as multiple new dioramas and vignettes, assure that there is something new for you to enjoy! And even if you're not a model railroader or train fan, the layout is well worth a visit. There is a reason why it's Germany's number one attraction!
The afternoon is yours to enjoy, so feel free to stay at Miniatur Wunderland as long as you wish. Once you're ready to leave, your Hamburg City Ticket allows you access to all trains and busses to take you around Hamburg. Shopping, sightseeing, or even a trip to Hamburg's famous fish market is an option. Still have 'trains on the brain'? There are several excellent railfanning locations around Hamburg, so feel free to stay in town, or head out to the high bridge at Rendsburg or the freight yard at Maschen. Looking for something completely different? Try some 'shipfanning' in Cuxhaven at the 'Alte Liebe' at the mouth of the Elbe River.
Tuesday, September 5: It's a major travel day today, taking us from the Elbe to the Rhine. We have a short U-bahn ride to the Hauptbahnhof, after which we settle into our seats for our five-hour ride to Koblenz. We'll pass through Germany's heartland, past cities like Bremen, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Bonn on our route. Lunch will again be enjoyed on the train, thanks to the extended menu of the 'Bordrestaurant' dining car. Upon arrival in Koblenz, a short walk takes us to the Hotel Hohenstaufen, our home for the next two nights. With its location close to the station yet also near the center of Koblenz, the hotel allows a variety of dining options (including their own restaurant) and convenient access to the train station and the very busy Rhine railway route.
Wednesday, September 6: Germany's fourth largest city is an hour away by train, and we're off to Cologne right after breakfast. For some of us, Cologne station is just an intermediate stop, where we'll catch our train to Wuppertal. After all, Modellbahn Matschke, one of Germany's largest and ETE-friendliest model train stores isn't that far away. Spend some time checking off your shopping list of new trains and accessories, or head to the used and consignment area for a look at mouth-watering rarities and historic model trains and accessories.
For the rest of us, we will be enjoying the city of Cologne and its most noteworthy landmark- the Cologne Cathedral. Upon entering this Unesco World Heritage site, we'll be treated to a guided tour (in English) of the cathedral's interior, learn about its construction (12th century!) and ongoing reconstruction, and get access into some of the nooks and crannies not available to the average visitor. The fittest of us can climb the 500+ steps to the tower and see the world's largest bell, along with an amazing view of Cologne. Afterwards, we'll be enjoying lunch and a beer at Früh Kölsch, one of several breweries that specialize in the unique beer named after the city in which it was first brewed. After lunch there will be some time for heading up to the Hohenzollern bridge with its thousands of bicycle padlocks, or walking around Cologne's vast pedestrian shopping area, and maybe picking out that perfect souvenir from our time in the 'Domstadt'.
After meeting the group returning from Matschke at the station, we'll head back past Koblenz and along the Rhine to the picturesque town of St. Goar. This will be the starting-off point for a memorable cruise down the Rhine river. For the next two hours, we'll experience the beauty and history of this storied river valley firsthand. Settle into a seat on the top deck to admire the scenery (and occasional passing train), and when you get hungry, enjoy dinner below in the spacious dining room. We dock in Koblenz a short tram ride from the hotel (which is walkable, too). Stop along the way for a sip of Mosel wine or a beer from the local 'Koblenzer' brewery...
Thursday, September 7: We'll be getting maximum return on our Eurail pass today! After a hearty breakfast and time for packing, we'll meet at the station for another day of railway travel. At seven hours, it's our longest point-to-point train ride, though the scenery will keep anyone from getting bored! After passing again through the romantic Rhine valley, we'll follow the Rhine south to Zurich, then change trains for the trip along the Swiss Alps to Chur, in Switzerland's northeast corner. Your lunch can be enjoyed again in the dining car, or by grabbing a quick bite at the Zurich train station. Our hotel, the four-star Hotel Mercure in Chur City West, is a bus ride away from Chur station, but still offers some railfanning on the nearby Chur-St Moritz line. The hotel's chefs will be preparing our dinner this evening.
Friday, September 8: If you're a fan of Swiss narrow-gauge, breathtaking scenery, dizzying heights and winding trains, today is your big day! The legendary Bernina railway line awaits, with a ride across the Alps and down into the Italian town of Tirano for lunch and sightseeing, followed by heading back the way we came to enjoy the ride in the opposite direction. It's a ten-hour excursion, but the beauty of the Swiss Engadin will make the time fly!
A gentler start time awaits those who would prefer to stay 'near home'. A one hour train trip to the beautiful village of Arosa with some free time to explore this picturesque town will cover a good chunk of your mid-day, and still allow some exploration of Chur with its expansive pedestrian shopping area before the rest of the group returns.
A gentler start time awaits those who would prefer to stay 'near home'. A one hour train trip to the beautiful village of Arosa with some free time to explore this picturesque town will cover a good chunk of your mid-day, and still allow some exploration of Chur with its expansive pedestrian shopping area before the rest of the group returns.
Saturday, September 9: We're checking out of our hotel this morning to take the legendary Glacier Express across Switzerland to Brig. Our five-hour ride in a Swiss panorama coach provides tall views of the tall peaks we'll traverse today. Lunch will be served at your seat today to allow for maximum enjoyment of the Swiss highlands. In Brig, our hotel, the Hotel Europe, sits directly outside the train station and provides convenient railfanning access of both the standard gauge and narrow gauge railway traffic, while the heart of Brig is an easy walk away. We'll unpack and enjoy a group dinner in this beautiful town nestled in the Rhone valley.
Sunday, September 10: A short but spectacular train ride takes us to the town of Zermatt in the shadow of the Matterhorn. Known for its upscale shopping and classic Swiss architecture, the town provides several opportunities for the group. While the train lovers are likely to hop the Gornergrat railway for a ride up the valley wall, others may choose to take a series of dizzying gondola rides to the summit of the 12,740 foot Klein Matterhorn. Adrenaline junkies may break away from the 'typical' itinerary to take a tandem paragliding ride, while the more laid back members of our group can find a seat and an Espresso at an outdoor café in town and people watch for a couple of hours. They day in Zermatt is yours to enjoy! We return to Brig in the afternoon, but you are welcome to stay as long as you wish- your Eurail pass covers the ride today.
Monday, September 11: Time to pack up, the Bernese Highlands await! It's a leisurely morning, with our train departing around lunchtime. Take the opportunity to visit more of Brig this morning, or grab an early train at Brig station for a quick ride over the Bietschtal Viaduct and back. We're less than two hours from Wengen, the location of our next hotel. After check-in at the Arenas Resort Victoria-Lauberhorn, grab a schnapps at the hotel bar or simply admire the beauty of the Alpine scenery from the hotel's sun terrace until it's time for our group dinner in the hotel's restaurant. You may well agree with many who have called this part of the world "the most beautiful on earth"...
Tuesday, September 12: The day is yours to enjoy this region. Your Jungfrau travel pass takes you almost everywhere in this part of Switzerland. There will be multiple options for the group, including a trip to the highest train station in Europe, carved out of the Jungfrau mountain. Others may choose to head down to Lauterbrunnen and wander to one of several waterfalls outside of town. Did you bring your hiking boots? The Eiger trail is one of several that will challenge your endurance. Finally, Lakes Thun and Brienz provide opportunity for a relaxing ship ride and sightseeing. With so many options, it may be hard to choose, but today and tomorrow are yours, to start (and end) whenever you want. But don't stay out too late- the hotel has a special dinner prepared for the entire group.
Wednesday, September 13: It's another gorgeous day in this stunning part of Switzerland. If you wish, an excursion is planned to Les Chemins de fer du Kaeserberg, a 610 square meter HO scale layout depicting Switzerland in the 1990's. As a train-free alternative, we'll take a gondola up from Mürren, a thrilling cable car ride that transports us to the top of the Schilthorn. There we'll enjoy 360° views from the mountaintop. One of the best things to do while on Schilthorn is to dine at Piz Gloria, the revolving restaurant. The food is good and the view is even better. In 1969, the Schilthorn was featured in the James Bond movie 'On Her Majesty’s Secret Service'. While we're here, we can tour the James Bond exhibit, and will enjoy lunch in the same restaurant featured in the movie. The afternoon is open for more exploration, or head back to the hotel for some wellness time- swimming in the pool, soaking in their dry or steam saunas, or relaxing in the outdoor whirlpool, all included in your stay. For dinner we are guests of our hotel's restaurant again, with a menu sure to please every appetite!
Thursday, September 14: It's time to say goodbye to the Bernese Highland, and the rest of Switzerland as well. We make our way to the German city of Ulm, the final base of operations of our tour. Straddling the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Wittenberg, Ulm features the tallest church steeple in the world. Ulm also happens to be the perfect jumping-off point for the last days of our tour. With our hotel, the B&B Hotel Ulm, located adjacent to the station, we'll be checked in and ready for dinner in no time.
Friday, September 15: It's the first day of the International Model Railway Exposition, hosted alongside the Marklin Days in their hometown of Goeppingen. Ulm is a quick thirty minutes' ride away, giving everyone ample opportunity to enjoy breakfast at the hotel first. The event features multiple venues around Goeppingen, all connected by city busses. After picking up your pass and wristband, the day is yours to enjoy the layouts and vendors in all scales, as well as an assembly of prototypes at Goeppingen station. Ride the railbus to the Leonard Weiss venue, and explore the new Marklineum, the updated version of the Marklin Museum near the Marklin headquarters. Take a cab ride across the Goeppingen station grounds in an operational steam locomotive, or take a longer trip in historic coaches behind a steam locomotive up the legendary 'Geislinger Steige', one of the busiest and steepest main lines in Germany.
Looking for something else to do on this day? Why not take in some history, with a trip to Wiblingen Abbey. Founded in 1093, the monumental monastery with its grand library and its church represent the final masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Upper Swabia. The interior of the library is considered to be one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture. Just fifteen minutes by bus from our hotel, it's a perfect outing for those who prefer history and architectural beauty over trains!
Afterwards, the two groups will meet up in Goeppingen for a group dinner at the Andechs Restaurant, where the beer is cold and the Haxe is crispy and delicious!
Afterwards, the two groups will meet up in Goeppingen for a group dinner at the Andechs Restaurant, where the beer is cold and the Haxe is crispy and delicious!
Saturday, September 16: It's another day to enjoy the expansive Marklin Days and International Model Railway Exposition. Visit the venues you didn't get a chance to drop in on yesterday, or take a closer look at favorite layouts or dioramas.
As an alternative, we're planning to offer (still working on the details) our tour participants a trip into the Bavarian Alps with a visit to Germany's most recognized monument- the 'Cinderella Castle' of Neuschwanstein. Our private bus will pick us up in front of our hotel and take us down to the village of Schwangau, where we'll take a short hike (or a horse-drawn carriage ride) up to the castle's entrance. We'll get to tour the castle with an English-speaking guide, then head back down the hillside to Schwangau, where our bus will whisk us back to Ulm. It's our last night together as a group, so a group dinner is planned for that evening.
Sunday, September 17: For many of us, it's our last day in Europe. For others, it's a starting-off point for other adventures in Europe. Still others will enjoy another day at the 'Treff', or perhaps hop a train to Munich to take in the Oktoberfest. Whatever this day has in store for you, we're sure that the past two weeks will have provided a memorable experience for everyone!
Now for some Frequently Asked Questions...
How much is this amazing experience going to cost??
We are helping ETE members plan their participation on the trip by providing two sets of prices. The first is GROUP COST, which contains all expenses that we are going to be paying for as a group. That would include the 22-day first class Eurail passes, the 3-day Jungfrau Pass, your Hamburg Card, 16 hotel overnight costs (minibar, etc costs will be your responsibility), all 16 breakfasts, five group dinners, all train reservations, lunch on the Glacier Express, the Rhine Cruise (excluding food / beverages), the welcome reception, entry into Meiningen and Miniatur-Wunderland, bus transfers (except the Neuschwanstein excursion), and most alternate activities (again, except the outing to Neuschwanstein). Our estimated group cost is $3,950 for single room accommodation, and $3,450 per person for double room accommodation.
What remains are the costs that we would be paying for on an individual basis. This would include lunches and dinners not part of the pre-planned group meals, along with some costs that allow our members some flexibility in terms of activity (like the day in Zermatt) and potential savings (entry into the Marklin Treff event, for example). Here we estimate $1,600. Note that this is a 'landed' cost estimate, and does not include airfare. Oh, and it doesn't include any model train purchases, either!
Help me understand words like "estimated" and "estimate"...
There are certain things that are likely to impact the overall cost in some way for everyone individually. For example, if you are 60 years of age or older, you get a discount on your Eurail pass, as well as some of our venues. Also, at the time of our calculation, September 1 2023 is still ten months (to the day) away. In some cases, we had to base costs on 2022 pricing. Much can change in terms of exchange rates and inflation. So we should expect the trip cost to vary somewhat between now and then. Our plan is to provide a final invoice for the group costs to everyone by May 1.
So what's next?
If you are interested in joining the trip, we ask that you please provide a deposit of $1000 single room or $2000 double room to secure your spot on the trip. Money can be submitted via PayPal using the links below. If you prefer to use another payment method (Zelle, check, wire transfer, etc), please reach out to Carsten Ramcke at [email protected].
Select your room choice and click the 'Buy Now' link below to place a $1000 or $2000 deposit to be transferred to payment
What's the cost for coming on half the trip?
Because of the logistical and financial nightmare it would be to try and coordinate the addition / subtraction / swapping out of tour participants throughout the trip, we have made the difficult decision to restrict participation to "all or nothing". We think that's a better choice for everone, both for those organizing the trip as well as those participating in it.
Why a Eurail Pass? Isn't that overkill? We're only going to two countries...
Even if you look strictly at dollars and cents, the Eurail pass is a better option. And when you add in the flexibility then it really makes sense. First, it will allow your non-tour travel days (before the tour starts and after it ends) to be included very inexpensively. Since you aren't tied to a particular train to get you to our starting city of Eisenach like a train ticket does, you don't have to worry if your flight arrives earlier or later than scheduled. That flexibility also allows you to look at airports outside of Germany for your travel to/from Europe (like Amsterdam or Paris), and use the pass to get to Germany from there. Finally, if we encounter any train-related challenges (train delays that cause us to miss a connection, or even train cancellation), we will simply hop on the next available train, or even take a different route.
Feeling a little jet-lagged on one of the first days of the trip? Grab your pass and hop on a train back to the hotel whenever you want, or stay late and enjoy some railfanning (or a beer or two) before your return to our host hotel, regardless of what the rest of the group (or your spouse) does.
Feeling a little jet-lagged on one of the first days of the trip? Grab your pass and hop on a train back to the hotel whenever you want, or stay late and enjoy some railfanning (or a beer or two) before your return to our host hotel, regardless of what the rest of the group (or your spouse) does.
Why is there also a cost for a 'Jungfrau Pass'?
We want the group to get the most out of the Jungfrau region. Since we have a couple of days with a more flexible itinerary and more free time, the Jungfrau pass allows everyone to 'do their own thing', including gondola rides to dizzying heights, exploring picturesque towns like Grindlewald and Lauterbrunnen, or heading down to Interlaken for a boat ride on Lake Thun or railfanning at Interlaken station. The Jungfrau pass covers almost everything (but oddly, not the ride to Jungfraujoch), allowing for exploration and adventure!
I can find a hotel in the same town for a FRACTION of what you may be paying.
Why such expensive hotels?
We had a few significant requirements for our hotels in order to keep the group together as much as possible, and cater to everyone who might be joining. Those included such amenities as an elevator and easy transportation options for flexibility, along with minimal walking to-and-from the train station, bus stop, or event venues. Also, almost all the hotels we chose have air-conditioning, a rarity in Europe. Germany had a record heatwave in 2022 that continued into September. We want to make sure we are prepared for that possibility, and so we've opted for heatwave 'insurance'. Also, remember- this year's double-digit inflation wasn't limited to the USA.
That's a lot of money. Can I think about it?
Of course! But be warned- when we announced the trip, we specified that the final group number could be no more than forty persons. Right now we have strong interest from over sixty ETE members. The first ETE members who submit their deposit have the best chance at securing one of the limited single (20) or double (10) rooms...
What if I put down the deposit but have to cancel?
Your deposit is refundable for at least the next several months. After May 1, 2023 we may not be able to refund the whole deposit, but we will refund you whatever money we can recover from our hotels and other trip partners. In some cases, the hotels will reimburse partial payment at certain intervals (weeks) before the arrival date. Also, there is a 15% fee when canceling any Eurail pass.
Bottom line: If you have to cancel, the earlier you can cancel the more of your payment can be refunded.
Bottom line: If you have to cancel, the earlier you can cancel the more of your payment can be refunded.
Okay, I'm going to send my deposit. Then what?
For anyone who sends in a deposit, we will send out the complete detailed itinerary including the details of all the alternate (read: non-train) scheduled activities, estimated times of departure and arrival, and day activity start and end times (don't worry, we're not shoving off every day at the crack of dawn). We'll also set up a groups.io email group for participants so everyone can ask questions or introduce themselves in a group environment. That also allows your trip organizers to provide any updates and details that may be useful in your overall planning.
What happens if the group is full by the time I can commit?
First, anyone who has submitted a deposit and the group is already full based on deposits received before yours, your deposit will immediately be refunded to you, or you can choose to join the waiting list. Second, if there is enough interest, there is no reason why a second trip can't be planned in 2024 or 2025! But let's see how this trip goes first, shall we?
Again, many thanks to all of you who have expressed an interest in the ETE 50th Anniv...
Hold it, hold it. I have a sh*t ton of questions...
No problem at all! Please feel free to send an email to [email protected] with any questions you may have. Marshall, Andreas and I will be happy to supply whatever details we can share to answer any questions you may have. As you can imagine, planning this trip has been a huge effort but a great learning experience for us, and we appreciate any feedback or questions that you have, and that we may want to cover for everyone in more detail. Your questions and concerns are always welcome!
We look forward to seeing you in Eisenach on September 1, 2023.
