Historic local transport on Rügen delights visitors!

Historic local transport on Rügen delights visitors!

Train lovers and visitors enthusiastic about history experienced a journey into the past from June 12th to 15th, 2025 on the beautiful island of Rügen. How lok-report.de reported, the historic local transport took place on the route from Bergen auf Rügen to Lauterbach Mole, with a large number of truly impressive vehicles being used.

The nostalgic trains were not only a feast for the eyes, but also real vehicles from history: the EBS locomotives 86 1744-1 and V200 507 pulled the trains, accompanied by the historic diesel multiple units LVT 172 140-6 and 172 141-4, known as Piglet Taxis. A trip on one of these single-track branch lines, which has been in operation for 135 years, made the participants' hearts beat faster.

Insight into the railway tradition

The route itself, which branches off the Stralsund–Sassnitz railway line at Bergen auf Rügen train station and leads via Putbus to Lauterbach Mole, measures 12.523 kilometers. The Putbus – Lauterbach Mole section was converted in 1999 for narrow-gauge trains on the Rügensche Bäderbahn and can therefore also offer nostalgic journeys in summer. A special highlight: The section was initially opened to Putbus on August 15, 1889, followed by the extension to Lauterbach on May 15, 1890. With a good hand, Eisenbahn-Bau- und Betriebsgesellschaft Pressnitztalbahn mbH (PRESS) took over the section in 2014 and has been operating it itself ever since.

The next historic local transport will take place from July 24th to 27th, 2025, with a number of regular train journeys and again very special historic vehicles. Steam locomotives from the 86 series and a locomotive from the V100 series are planned, as well as the popular piglet taxis. And if there is a bottleneck due to technical defects, other vehicles can step in at short notice so that passengers are not left out in the rain.

Special trains and other highlights

A highlight of the season are the special Rush Roland trains, which run four times a day from Putbus to Binz, pulled by the tender locomotive 99 4652. For all those who are prepared to traverse a section of the former route to Altefähr, there is also exciting news: this section is to be restored to Putbus West. In addition, tickets, including the Germany Ticket, are valid for journeys on historic vehicles at no extra charge. A respectable relic of the old route to Altefähr is the impressive viaduct in Putbus, which continues to attract numerous photographers.

For additional inspiration about the history of railways in Germany, it is worth visiting DB Museum in Nuremberg, which houses an extensive collection of railway technology spanning more than 200 years. The exhibition covers various eras, from the beginning in 1835 with the first route between Nuremberg and Fürth to the railway reform and the founding of Deutsche Bahn AG in 1994.

The railway not only revolutionized travel, but also shaped our society in many ways. Historical pieces, technical devices and the stories of train drivers and passengers tell of the changes and challenges that rail travel brought with it. Whether you are a passionate railway fan or just want to enjoy the feeling of nostalgia - the events on Rügen offer something for everyone.

With a good feeling in your stomach, you look forward to the next historic journeys, which in the summer will once again reawaken the fascination and charm of the railways of yesteryear. They say that the best way to discover the beauty of Rügen is from the rails - and the last few days have proven this in all their glory.