Großer Jubiläumssonderzug „40 Jahre IGE“

This tour is the much delayed - because of the pandemic - IGE 40th Anniversary special. Outline details are:

Monday 5 September. Nürnberg depart 07.43 hauled by 01 180 (4-6-2) via Hersbruck and Schwandorf to the Czech border at Furth im Wald where KHKD 555.0153 (2-10-0) takes over for the run via Domažlice and Klatovy to Plzeň. Transfer to hotel for overnight B&B.

Tuesday 6 September. From Plzeň 555.0153 runs south easterly via Nepomuk to Račice from where we head north over the non-electrified line via Pisek and Březnice to Zdice where the main line is reached to continue to Praha. Transfer to hotel for overnight B&B.

Wednesday 7 September. 534.0323 (2-10-0) takes us along the main line towards Germany as far as Vraný where we take the branch line via Straškov to Louny and Žatec. 354.195 (4-6-2T) takes over for the short run to Lužná where we visit the ČD museum collection. Late afternoon 354.7152 (2-6-2) and 354.195 take the train via Kladno to Praha-Smíchov. Transfer to hotel for overnight B&B.

Thursday 8 September. 464.202 (4-8-4T) Praha-Smíchov – Všetaty – Mladá Boleslav – Česká Lípa – Děčín. 01 509 (4-6-2) via Dresden to Leipzig. Short walk to hotel for overnight B&B.

Friday 9 September. 03 2155 (4-6-2), 35 1097 (2-6-2) Leipzig – Zeitz – Gera – Saalfeld – Hochstadt-Marktzeulen reverse then 01 180 via Neuenmarkt Wirsberg where 03 and 35 detached then via Bayreuth – Nürnberg. Overnight B&B.

Saturday 10 September. 01 180 takes us back to Neuenmarkt Wirsberg for the IGE anniversary event with 01 509, 03 2155, 35 1097, 44 2546, 52 7596, 52 8195 all working trips up and down the famous Schiefe Ebene incline. Ride whatever train you wish. Ticket includes a visit to the museum. Late evening 01 180 takes us back to Nürnberg arrive ca. 22.00. Overnight B&B.

Sunday 11 September. TOUR ENDS

The IGE train will be formed of first class carriages with the usual bar and restaurant cars,

Cost. The IGE fare is €1990, say £1780 at 1.12 exchange rate. A single room supplement is €320 (£290). Sharing a compartment for four supplement is €600 (£540). Lunches and dinners are at own expense and arrangement.

Closing Date. The IGE closing date is 15 July so our closing date will be 11 July. IGE needs 180 people to run the tour.

Do not book any flights until the tour is confirmed as having reached the minimum number.

Coal. IGE reserve the right to apply a coal surcharge as current prices cannot be guaranteed.

Pandemic. At the time of preparing this circular FFP2 masks must be worn on public transport in Germany but this no longer applies in airports and on planes so it is expected it will be altered soon. You need to be able to show that you are fully vaccinated with booster

To Book. Complete an Overseas Tours Booking Form and send with a £200 deposit to Brian Garvin, 5/91 Albemarle Rd, Beckenham BR3 5JZ. If using post then include 2 saes for replies. Alternatively contact him by e-mail and make a money transfer direct to the LCGB account mentioning IGE.

Downloadable flyer for tour is available here. Further details from IGE (in German) are here

Note. The IGE tour starts on a Monday and ends on a Sunday morning. It is quite possible that some museum lines will be operating nearby so some additional days could be quite useful. This aspect is being examined. Details of what is possible, and of travel from and to the UK, will be part of circular 1 to bookers.