VISIT TO GERMANY JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025

[MTheStrong]

We have just returned from a short visit to Germany mainly to attend a concert in Aachen. We took the ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, then Metro to Rotterdam Centraal. Then by train from Rotterdam Centraal to Aachen via Eindoven and Heerlen. We had hoped to visit the Roman Baths at Heerlen unfortunately they were closed due to a major upgrade of the Museum.

Whilst based in Aachen we took several day trips by train to visit various locations including Koln, Wuppertal, Solingen and Dusseldorf. Unfortunately there were no steam railways operating during our stay, however we did spend time travelling on the Schwebebahn and a surprise in Solingen - more of this later.

We travelled to Wuppertal by train and used our Deutschland Ticket . The Schwebebahn station is only a short distance from the Hauptbahnhof. We took the first train to Oberbahmen - one end terminus and then travelled the length of the line to Vohwinkel. Here are some photos:

 

[MTheStrong]

From Wuppertal we took the train to Solingen. Solingen is one of 3 German towns that has trolley buses!

 

[MTheStrong]

There are 2 types of trolley bus in operation, articulated (similar to bendy buses) and non articulated. We travelled on routes 681 and 682. One of the longer routes is from Solingen to Vohwinkel with a stop close to the terminus of the Schwebebahn.

Here with the Trolley Bus Route Map created by By Maximilian Dörrbecker (Chumwa)

 

[Rhinochugger]

We have just returned from a short visit to Germany mainly to attend a concert in Aachen. We took the ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, then Metro to Rotterdam Centraal. Then by train from Rotterdam Centraal to Aachen via Eindoven and Heerlen. We had hoped to visit the Roman Baths at Heerlen unfortunately they were closed due to a major upgrade of the Museum.

Whilst based in Aachen we took several day trips by train to visit various locations including Koln, Wuppertal, Solingen and Dusseldorf. Unfortunately there were no steam railways operating during our stay, however we did spend time travelling on the Schwebebahn and a surprise in Solingen - more of this later.

We travelled to Wuppertal by train and used our Deutschland Ticket . The Schwebebahn station is only a short distance from the Hauptbahnhof. We took the first train to Oberbahmen - one end terminus and then travelled the length of the line to Vohwinkel. Here are some photos:

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I can remember seeing a picture of the Wuppertal system on the front cover of my brother's Meccano Magazine when I was a nipper - it amazed me then and still amazes me

 

[MTheStrong]

I can remember seeing a picture of the Wuppertal system on the front cover of my brother's Meccano Magazine when I was a nipper - it amazed me then and still amazes me

I first travelled on the Schwebebahn in 1973 whilst attending a "voluntary" course at Church House in Wuppertal. Small trivial fact, Gyles Brandreth was born there.