vulkan express

we went on this as part of a trip we where on with Treyn , it was a lovely day so we sat on the open carridge , it was GREAT fun , Beautiful scenery , lovely people (German&English) and yummy cake when we got to the top ! we stopped half way for a loo break & to take photos , and we spent the journey there & back waving to anybody & everyone & had Great fun with 2 cyclists who we seemed to be racing with at one point if your in Germany if you like trains or not it's a fun trip with lots to see and do , and yummy cake what else do you need on a sunny August day ??

Across from the main line at Brohl is the start of the narrow gauge railway to Engein. Originally built to bring stone and minerals down from the hills the train has been carriaged to take passengers; the brave can ride in an open topped wagon. Now pulled by a diesel the train climbs the hills through attractive forests and rural scenes crossing many country roads where the drivers of cars and vans patiently await the train's whistle announcing its arrival. Refreshments are available on board and the guard, a well uniformed extra from "Allo, Allo" , entertains by demanding your ticket in a very Germanic manner. At the top a pleasant cafe awaits pending your return to Brohl. Altogether a pleasant day out.

Nice trip from Brohl along and uphill through nice countryside. Trip takes about 1.5 hours and it stops half way for WC and take photographs. The only down side is at present no Steam Engine but they use a period Diesel which unfortunately broke down while I was there. At the end of the line the station has a buffet and a cafe and the food was delicious. The train trip from cologne was more expensive than the Vulkan Express. It was 20.00 return for two.

The Vulkan Express was my first introduction to the German use of irony. The train travels at an average of 20 kph.The 90 minute journey to the top goes through an interesting mix of forest and small townships. When we travelled the autumn leaves were starting to change colour which lkead to a very picturesque experience. Our train conductor spoke good english and was very helpful and informative. There was a small buffet on the train that we took, serving coffee and alcohol.At the upper terminus is a large cafe which serves typically excellent food and drinks. The train's route connects with many walking trails and can be used as a good way to get to walks of varying diffculty in the foothills of the Eiffel Mountains.