">Concrete sleepers must now be laid instead of wooden ones.
Image: Thomas Bitter (club member)
Welcome
Call for donations
In recent years, it has been necessary to clear-cut extensive wooded areas along the railway line. This has had localized consequences
for the holiday railway's track. While the tracks running past the sports field used to lie in the shade for most of the day, they are now
exposed to direct sunlight. As is well known, the combination of steel and heat causes expansion, which deforms the track and leads to
significant drying out of the sleepers. This results in accelerated wear and tear. During the upcoming off-season, 140 meters of
track—double the usual 70 meters—must undergo major renewal and be secured for the long term. The situation is critical for the
holiday railway: operations cannot continue on the affected section for another season—closure is imminent!
To keep operations running, 160 expensive concrete sleepers, 120 tonnes of ballast, and a great deal of diesel are required.
An investment of around 40,000 euros is needed in a single outlay—funds that cannot be recouped through ticket sales during a single season.
Urgent donations are being raised through a campaign on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe.
The initiative, under the motto "Future-proof tracks for Crispi and Maja," was launched on August 5.
The *Ferienlandeisenbahn Crispendorf e.V.* association operates and maintains the tracks and rolling stock to preserve this charmingly
situated gem for locals and tourists alike. All tasks are carried out through countless hours of volunteer work—mirroring the
operations of a full-scale railway—since regulations make no distinction between small and large trains. Helping hands are always welcome!
In addition to train drivers—whom the association trains itself—there are many other interesting roles involved in running a railway.
The Holiday Country Railway runs along the Wisenta and intersects with the Saale-Wisenta-Plothengrund circular hiking trail.
The Holiday Country Railway serves as an excellent starting point for a short stroll.
From the ridge, one looks down upon the Saale, and not much further away lies the Wisenta Dam.
On this stretch of the route to the Festwiese station, Crispi’s world is still all right.
Image: Thomas Bitter (club member), Holiday Railway main station, May 2026
Events
- 20. September Children's Day - Information will be available on our website shortly beforehand.
- 17. & 18. Oktober Mulled Wine Rides - Autumn rides with mulled wine and children's punch.
- 31. Oktober Halloween Rides - Children in costume ride free.
Our bouncy castle will be set up on all ride days, and we offer ice cream, drinks, and hot snacks.
On weekends and holidays, we also offer coffee and cake between 2 pm and 5 pm.
Additional offers will be announced on our website.
Trip interruptions and changes due to weather conditions We reserve the right to cancel travel days and events!
In addition to traveling on the holiday railway, we offer you:
- Special trips for 8 or more people by order
- Bouncy castle on all ride days (bouncy castle rental possible)
- We can organize catering on request
- Children's birthdays and other celebrations
Tel. 0157/ 38779637
- Tours with our bathing train to order
Download link of the driving day flyer for 2026
Ice cream, drinks and souvenirs are available every ride day.On weekends and public holidays between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m We also offer coffee and cake.