Enjoy the Max and Moritz Railway

With Draisines (hand cars)

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Welcome to one of the most exiting draisine hand car railways in Germany!

In contrast to many other railway lines you are able to ride over 5 viaducts and though 1 tunnel in the long term.

The Name „Max and Moritz Railway“

The name results from the transport of iron ore from the Schmiedefeld mines to the Max blast furnace in Unterwellenborn and the delivery of material to the porcelain factory Moritz in Schmiedefeld

History

Opening of the first section Probstzella -Taubenbach on the 15.10.1898

Opening of the second section Taubenbach -Wallendorf on the 18.01.1899

Opening of the third section Wallendorf - Ernstthal on the 01.11.1913

Closing down of the railway line on the 22.1.1997

The railway line is 23km long and has five viaducts with a height of up to 31m and a length of up to 258m. It starts at the railway station Probstzella via Zopten, Gräfenthal, Gebersdorf, Lippelsdorf, Schmiedefeld (Taubenbach), Lichte-Ost, Lichte and ends in Ernstthal.

Back to live

In 2006 the owner of Wespenstein castle in Gräfenthal bought a draisine hand car.

The railway line was cleaned from trees in 2008 with the help of many fire brigades.

Important dates

The draisine hand cars can be booked via telephone or personally in Wespenstein castle, see section „contacts” below. Tours start every Saturday and Sunday at 10 am., at 1 p.m. and at 4 p.m. For large groups with more than 15 participants we will organize tours as well during weekdays.

Location of railway line, prices and number of persons

The Railway tours start at Schmiedefeld railway station near Gräfenthal. Please note that there are 2 Schmiedefelds: the right postal code is 98739.

Three draisines are available, for 3, 5 and 12 persons.

You will start with the draisine hand car riding down the hills to the railway station of Lichte-Ost. Enjoy the overwhelming view from the big viaducts of Lichte and Finsterer Grund. After the arrivel at the second viaduct please turn the draisine around enjoy the ride back to the Schmiedefeld railway station. Optionally at the end you may ride down through the Thuringia forest to the railway station of Lippelsdorf and back to Schmiedefeld.

The tour will take approximately two hours and costs 15 Euro per person and 5 Euro for children.

The price includes 1 free drink in the Wespenstein castle restaurant.

All tours are organized by the “Max und Moritz Förderverein” and are at your own risk. The Verein is not liable for any possible damages.

Contact

Förderverein Max und Moritzbahn

Am Schloßberg 1,

98743 Gräfenthal.

Tel.: 0176 9653 2338

Email: webmaster@schloss-wespenstein.de

Gräfenthal is situated in Thuringia south of Saalfeld between Reichmannsdorf (B281) and Probstzella (B85).

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!!! Special offer !!!

All tours can be combined with Wespenstein castle (hotel, guided tour, knight meal).

Additionally we offer: guided nature walks, border museum east/west, Old mine Morassina, Quad tours, porcellain museum, blacksmith.

!!! Please ask for details !!!

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last update:01.08.11