New Year with Austrian Steam

A very special New Year tour featuring fantastic standard and narrow gauge steam in the Austrian snow (hopefully) - to enjoy superb mountain scenery and beautiful locations.

A wonderful way to see in the New Year and explore Austria by train at this delightful time of year. Many of the journeys over the scenic routes will be aboard historic steam trains and on two of the days the steam trains will be private to us, so we can stop for photographs along the way! Truly spectacular journeys like the UNESCO protected Semmering Pass and the incredible Mariazellerbahn are combined with ever popular heritage lines including the Zillertalbahn and Steyrtalbahn. All topped off with sightseeing time in Nuremberg and Innsbruk, and staying in magical Vienna.

Since originally announced, this tour is enhanced by an exclusive steam charter train on the narrow gauge Steyrtalbahn with superb photo opportunities – hopefully with snow; plus a private vintage tram tour of historic Nuremberg with that extra touch – seasonal mulled wine on board!

DAY 1 Thursday December 30th: Depart London St. Pancras at circ 11.00 hrs by Eurostar to Brussels, continuing onwards by high speed train via to Koln and Frankfurt to the historic city of Nuremberg for two nights stay in this famous city at the Inter-City Hotel DAY 2 Friday December 31st: A leisurely day to explore historic Nuremberg, including a city tour by vintage tram with mulled wine on board. This evening we partake in a special New Years Eve group meal in the stunning 13th Century Heilig Geist Spital - a historic former hospital spanning the river. (B,D) DAY 3 Saturday January 1st: Travelling aboard our high speed train we journey into Austria. Arriving at Linz, luggage is left at our hotel, before we ride to Vocklmarket for a special vintage tram charter on the rural narrow gauge Stern & Haferl Atterseebahn. We return to Linz for 3 nights at the Ibis Hotel, close by the station. (B) DAY 4 Sunday January 2nd: By local train to Timelkam for our exclusive steam photographic charter train on the 11km standard gauge line to Ampflwang. Here there is time to view the impressive collection of steam locomotives in the roundhouse – all part of the fascination living museum – before returning on our charter train to Timelkam and local train to Linz. (B) DAY 5 Monday January 3rd: A day of choices as we travel by Euro City train from Linz to the famous resort of Jenbach for a journey into the valley, along part of the Zillertalbahn line, returning behind one of the line’s renowned narrow gauge steam locos to Jenbach, then on to Innsbruck for an afternoon stroll . Alternatively, remain on board the morning train at Jenbach and continue to Innsbruck for a free day sightseeing in the old town centre. We return by fast Euro City train to Linz. (B) DAY 6 Tuesday January 4th: A short train journey brings us to the lovely traditional town of Steyr where we have a private vintage Postbus transfer to Grunberg station for a special steam-hauled photo charter train meandering along this pretty 17 km narrow gauge line. We have time to look around the historic town of Steyr before continuing by train to Vienna and 3 nights at the Inter City Hotel near Westbahnhof station. (B) DAY 7 Wednesday January 5th: By rail to St. Polten for our journey aboard a vintage train along the unique and truly spectacular Mariazellerbahn. We travel the full length of this superbly scenic line; climbing to over 2,500ft,with its 21 tunnels, 71 viaducts and bridges. (We shall be hauled by either one of the 1914-built electric locos, or a rod-driven diesel locomotive.) We have time for lunch and a look around Mariazell itself before retuning to St. Polten and Vienna. (B) DAY 8 Thursday January 6th: A holiday highlight as we enjoy a steam hauled train from Vienna over the magnificent Semmering Pass line – a UNESCO world heritage site - to Murzzuschlag. There is time for lunch, sightseeing or perhaps visit the Sudbahn Railway Museum and roundhouse, before returning to Vienna behind vintage electric traction. (B) DAY 9 Friday January 7th: We bid farewell to Austria, and travel by fast ICE train to Wurzburg and then onto Cologne on the banks of the River Rhine for an overnight stay at the Four Points Hotel where we have a celebration final evening meal together at a restaurant in the old town area by the river. (B,D) DAY 10 Saturday January 8th: We take a mid morning departure from Cologne, travelling via Brussels to arrive London St. Pancras around 15.00 hrs for onward homeward journeys. (B) InterCity Hotel, Nuremburg A modern hotel close to the historic old-town. Modern en-suite rooms include TV, radio, hairdryer, mini-bar, safe and WiFi. Hotel Ibis, Linz Ideally situated in the city centre, the hotel has modern air conditioned en-suite bedrooms with telephone, satellite TV, shower. Hair dryer available at reception. InterCity Hotel, Vienna In the heart of Vienna, this welcoming hotel has modern en-suite rooms including TV, radio, WiFi, hairdryer, vanity mirror, mini-bar and safe. Four Points Hotel Central, Cologne A 4 star hotel in the city centre. Modern en-suite rooms include satellite TV, hairdryer, mini-bar, safe, WiFi and tea & coffee maker.