Berlin–Breslau Express - Historic-NME-Train
Celebrate the 180th anniversary of the railway connection between Berlin and Wrocław with us and board a unique steam train.
About this trip
Embark on a journey back in time aboard a special train hauled by the legendary BR 35 express steam locomotive. Experience an anniversary run along the historic main line connecting the capitals of Prussia and Silesia—complete with the authentic atmosphere of a bygone era, a Mitropa dining car, and speeds of up to 110 km/h.
October 1846 marked the completion of the Lower Silesian-March Railway (*Niederschlesisch-Märkische Eisenbahn* – NME), linking Berlin with Breslau (modern-day Wrocław)—the second-largest city in the Kingdom of Prussia at the time. This main line transformed the region's economic landscape forever, creating a modern transport corridor between Brandenburg, Lusatia, and Lower Silesia.
Exactly 180 years later—on Saturday, October 10, 2026—the Lausitzer Dampflok Club e.V. is bringing this historic route back to life. An 11-car train, hauled by a vintage steam locomotive, will set out on the journey. Passengers will travel in classic carriages from the 1960s through the 1980s featuring opening windows, allowing them to feel the authentic motion of the train and hear the steam locomotive at work along the line. Original Mitropa dining and bistro cars remain the heart of the train throughout the day. Our team serves hot meals, traditional snacks, fresh coffee and tea, and regional specialties—including beer from the Landskron brewery in Görlitz. A stop is scheduled en route to Wrocław at the Żagań station to replenish the steam locomotive's water supply; during this time, passengers can visit the local railway exhibition located in the station building.
Tickets may also be purchased on board the train. We accept payments in both PLN and EUR. Passengers wishing to board the train at Żagań are requested to purchase a ticket starting from the Forst (Lausitz) station.
Zakup biletów możliwy jest także na pokładzie pociągu. Przyjmujemy płatność w PLN oraz EUR. Podróżni chcący rozpocząć przejazd od Żagania proszeni są o zakup biletu od stacji Forst (Lausitz).
Route
- Berlin Lichtenberg5:05
- Cottbus8:00
- Forst (Lausitz)8:15
- Żagań9:50
- Wrocław12:15
The Lower Silesian-Marchian Railway (NME) was a private railway company whose main line—operational from 1846—connected Berlin with Wrocław (then the second-largest city in the Kingdom of Prussia). One of the Prussian railway projects was the 81-kilometer Berlin–Frankfurt line, built between 1840 and 1842 and opened on October 23, 1842. It ran from the Frankfurt Station (later the Silesian Station, now Berlin’s East Station) via Fürstenwalde (on the Spree) to Frankfurt an der Oder. The final section of the NME Frankfurt–Wrocław line—the stretch between Liegnitz (Legnica) and Breslau (Wrocław)—was completed on October 19, 1844. Unfortunately, the section running from Guben via Sommerfeld (Lubsko) to Bieniów is no longer in operation. Work is currently underway to reactivate the Bieniów–Lubsko section. We are celebrating the 180th anniversary of the Lower Silesian-Marchian Railway (Berlin–Wrocław)... ...by taking an alternative route, departing from Cottbus aboard the steam locomotive 23 1097. In Żagań, we will join the official "jubilee route." There, our steam locomotive will take on water, and we will have a moment to explore the history of the railway at the museum located right at the station. It promises to be a day filled with railway history, including interesting tours of Wrocław.
Timetable and prices by station
| Station | Arrival | Departure | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin Lichtenberg | — | 5:05 | ||
| Cottbus | 7:50 | 8:00 | ||
| Forst (Lausitz) | 8:10 | 8:15 | ||
| Żagań | 9:08 | 9:50 | Bilet w cenie identycznej jak od stacji Forst (Lausitz). | |
| Wrocław Główny | 12:15 | — |
Where you can board
Passengers may board at the scheduled stops in Germany (Berlin Lichtenberg, Berlin Ostkreuz, Rangsdorf, Baruth (Mark), Luckau-Uckro, Finsterwalde (NL), Calau, Cottbus, Forst (Lausitz)) and in Żagań. Passengers wishing to start their journey in Żagań are requested to purchase a ticket from the Forst (Lausitz) station.
- Berlin Lichtenbergdeparture 5:05, back at —
- Cottbusdeparture 8:00, back at —
- Forst (Lausitz)departure 8:15, back at 23:01
- Żagańdeparture 9:50, back at 21:47
The train and its coaches
Julchen
The last series-built class of passenger steam locomotives in East Germany, delivered by the Lokomotivbau Karl Marx Babelsberg works in 1959. Locomotive 35 1097-1 belongs to the IG Traditionslok Glauchau association and is currently the only operational engine of this class in Germany. Structurally designed to haul passenger and express trains on lowland and foothill lines, it is equipped with a steam heating system for passenger coaching stock. Each year, it operates dozens of special trains across Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
- Maximum speed:
- 110 km/h
- Rated power:
- 1300 kW
- Driving wheel diameter:
- 1750 mm
- Boiler pressure:
- 16 atm
- Service weight (with tender):
- 150 t
- Tender capacity:
- 28 m³ water / 10 t coal
- Coach 1Wagon bezprzedziałowy drugiej klasy.no seating
- Coach 2Wagon bezprzedziałowy drugiej klasy.no seating
- Coach 3First-class compartment carriage. Individual upholstered seats. Windows open halfway. Individual compartment lighting. Digital public address system. Open-discharge toilet. RIV certified. Max. speed 140 km/h. High-pressure steam and 1000V electric heating. Built-in tail signals.no seating
- Coach 4no seating
- Coach 5Wagon bagażowy z przedziałem kierownika pociągu.no seating
- Coach 6Wagon barowy Mitropa.no seating
- Coach 7Wagon bezprzedziałowy drugiej klasy.no seating
- Coach 8Wagon bezprzedziałowy drugiej klasy.no seating
- Coach 9Wagon bezprzedziałowy drugiej klasy.no seating
Organizer and information
Trip organizer