Details - Aachen Tourist Service

Key facts at a glance

Gangelt

Children's program

St. Nicholas rides on the tracks of the Selfkantbahn

The small steam locomotive has to pull up to eleven passenger cars along the route and also supply some of the cars with steam for heating, the rest - no less worth seeing - are heated with briquettes. The electricity for the lighting is supplied by the batteries in the baggage and buffet cars, and you really feel like you've been transported back decades when the conductors in their thick winter coats and with their historic carbide lanterns check the tickets while the steam from the locomotive passes through the windows outside draw the cold winter air.

From Gillrath train station, the journey takes you along the 5.5 km long route towards Schierwaldenrath. Shortly after departure, the steam train stops to pick up a special passenger: Santa Claus, who comes to Stahe in a historic carriage and gets on there. He walks through the train as it continues its journey and gives gifts to the children traveling with it. The stay at Schierwaldenrath train station lasts about 25 minutes - during this time the steam locomotive replenishes its supplies of water and coal. Our St. Nicholas celebration takes place in the ballroom at Schierwaldenrath train station. The platform is festively decorated and your physical well-being is taken care of. This station will be reached again almost two hours after departure from Gillrath.