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The "Crispi" locomotive is waiting for passengers at Festwiese station. In the background is part of the forest that was logged due to a bark beetle infestation.
Image: Thomas Bitter (club member), Festwiese station of the holiday railway, July 2026

Welcome

"Lap Marathon" at the Holiday Park Railway

It has become a tradition for the Holiday Park Railway (*Ferienlandeisenbahn*) to run at full steam every day for a week during the summer holidays. From Saturday, August 8, through Sunday, August 16, the small trains will roll tirelessly—daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — along the 600-millimeter-gauge tracks in the holiday park near Crispendorf. Trains depart from the "Festwiese" (Festival Meadow) station, where a bouncy castle is available to keep visitors entertained while they wait (weather permitting). Ice cream, drinks, cake, and light snacks are also on offer.

In recent years, it became necessary to clear-cut extensive wooded areas along the railway line. This has had localized consequences for the Holiday Park Railway’s tracks. While the tracks running alongside 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, heat causes steel to expand, leading to track deformation and significant drying out of the railway ties. This results in accelerated wear and tear. During the upcoming off-season break, 140 meters of track—double the usual 70 meters—must undergo major renewal and long-term stabilization. The situation is serious for the Holiday Park Railway: the affected section cannot withstand another season of operation—closure is imminent! Ferienlandeisenbahn Crispendorf e.V.

To keep operations running, 160 expensive concrete sleepers, 120 tons of ballast, and a great deal of diesel fuel are required. This necessitates a lump-sum investment of around 40,000 euros—funds that cannot be recouped through ticket sales during a single season.

That is why Crispi and Maja are hoping for plenty of visitors—both young and old—during the final week of the holidays.

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

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:

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.