Steam railways near Dresden

[davetheguard]

There appear to be active steam railways in the Dresden area:

the Loessnitzgrundbahn at Radebeul Ost in the Dresden suburbs;

and further away, the Zittau narrow gauge railway near the Czech border in Saxon Switzerland.

As part of a holiday by train in the area next Spring, I'd like to travel on these two lines. We're likely to be staying in both Goerltz (near the Polish border) and Bad Schandau (on the Elbe near the Czech border) We're also doing general sightseeing, so it may be that we only have time to visit one of the two lines. Can anyone who has travelled on both of them suggest which one I should prioritise: in terms of scenery and/or railway interest.

Also any pictures or links to picture sites would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[dutchflyer]

there is a 3d one near Dresden-south west, and on weekends only (more the usual tourist line) Oschatz-Múgeln, about halfway DD-Leipzig.
Note that the usual rover tickets for those area do not cover these lines-you have to pay extra, or a supplmt.
The one south of Zittau branches and sometimes splits/combines at the junction. Its in a more hilly area, the one N-East of Dresden (never ever seen that name you mention), Radebeul, crosses a citytramline and runs via pleasant, but not overwhelming landscape like lakes and local greengardeners.
There has just ben opened a short but new (re-opened) railline Sebnitz/DE to Dolni POustevka, CZ, trains run on to Bad Schandau. See if you can fit that in. There are daytickets for Sachsen/Thüringen AND a slightly more exp.obe named Sachsen-Böhmen, which also covers a large border near area of CZ. These cost about 22/26 eur for 1, add 4-5 eur for more persons together.

 

[davetheguard]

dutchflyer (never seen that name you mention)

I got the Loessnitzgrundbahn name from Wikipedia; they also mention a nickname: the Loessnitzdackel.

I don't know which of the two is in common use; but the second at least, is a bit less of a mouthful!

 

[30907]

If you are going to Dresden itself, then Check out the 15in gauge parkeisenbahn (not steam normally).
From goerlitz (enjoy the trams!) go to zittau on a day when you can watch the double departure at bertsdorf; use the local day ticket and pay a supplement to ride the steam train.
You are also within reach of bad muskau which I've not been to but includes a 2ft gauge forest line. Only operates weekends except high season. http://www.waldesenbahn.de/en
Another possibility with an oder-neisse ticket is a 3-country round trip via libérec harrachov and jelenia gora.
The radebeul line can be combined with a visit to schloss moritzburg. Tbh the least bit to radeburg isn't exciting.
There is also freital-hainsberg to dippoldiswalde (on to kurort kipsdorf is still being rebuilt after the 2002 flooding); not sure there's anything in dippoldiswalde, but there are some scenic bits.
With a base in bad schandau I assume the kirnitschtalbahn is already on the agenda.

Of the steam lines, zittau is the most interesting IMO.

Apologies for missing capitals, working from new tablet

 

[blackfive460]

As you are staying in Bad Schandau, although not steam, the Kirnitzschtalbahn is well worth a ride.

http://www.ovps.de/Verkehrsmittel/Kirnitzschtalbahn/443/

 

[306024]

And away from trains don't forget the steamboats on the Elbe too. No shortage of things to do in the Dresden area. The train journey from Dresden to Prague is enjoyable, and then there is Prague itself. Can't do everything so plenty to save for a return visit.

 

[Gordon]

The Radebeul Ost line travels through a a forested area known as the Lossnitzgrund, hence the name. However the name is in part a modern dubbing - to help attract tourists.

I've visited both lines more than once, but my favourite line also in the Dresden area, Freital Hainsberg - Kurort Kipsdorf, has not yet fully recovered from devastating flooding in 2002 - just after I last visited in 2001.

I agree I prefer the Zittau line. The double departures from Bertsdorf were legendary.

Nevertheless the tram crossing on the Radebeul line is fun

 

[stuartmoss]

There's also a Schwebebahn and Stanseilbahn in Dresden. Great views from them of the Elbe Valley and blue wonder bridge below. Dresden is like my second home, so if you want any city specific info give me a shout.

 

[Golghar]

dutchflyer (never seen that name you mention)

I got the Loessnitzgrundbahn name from Wikipedia; they also mention a nickname: the Loessnitzdackel.

I don't know which of the two is in common use; but the second at least, is a bit less of a mouthful!

"Dackel" is "Dachshund" in German. This is just a nickname for the railway.

 

[Gordon]

Here is what the tram/train crossing looked like in 1989:

.