Nostalgic hissing on the edge of the smallest low mountain range in Germany

Upper Lusatia is hissing and steaming again! The treasures of the East Saxon Rail Club are the steam locomotives 52 8141 and 52 8080. The latter was restored in 2002 after standing idle for 15 years and is now fully operational and regularly sets off on special trips through the charming countryside of Upper Lusatia and towards Saxon Switzerland. The ‘old lady’ also tours past the 1000-year-old town of Bautzen to Görlitz and Dresden and is cared for by the enthusiasts of the East Saxon Rail Club, who are based in the historical landmark of the Machine House in Löbau. The house is open to visitors. Apart from the locomotives, new additions include many other vehicles and various witnesses to the history of rail and are constantly being incorporated into the exhibition.

Sideline attractions

• an encounter with ‘The Eagle’ in Görlitz, a diesel-powered miniature replica of the very first German railroad between Nuremberg and Fürth

• the medieval old town of Bautzen with the Ortenburg Castle and many towers

• trip with the narrow-gauge railroad from Zittau to Oybin/Jonsdorf

• a visit to the 150 year old and only cast-iron tower in Europe, on Löbau Mountain

• an operating baby locomotive 7790 made by Krauss & Co on a 218-yd track in the garden of rail enthusiast Manfred Werner in Löbau