Museumsbanen Maribo-Bandholm

About the museum

The railway line between Maribo and the harbor of Bandholm opened on November 2, 1869 and was Denmark's first private railway. It came about because Maribo was the only trading town on Lolland without a harbor; the main shareholders were the Knuthenborg estate, which owned the harbor, and the private banks. Mainly grain, coal, lime, and sugar traveled over the 8 km standard-gauge line; Bandholm was also the ferry port for the islands of Askø, Fejø, and Femø. Passenger service ended in 1952, freight trains still ran until 1999.

In 1962 the Dansk Jernbane-Klub, founded a year earlier, received permission to run museum trains on the line on Sundays and public holidays – the beginning of Denmark's first museum railway. Today a volunteer association with around 60 active members runs 50 to 60 operating days a year; since 2018 the line has officially been a museum railway, and the association also manages the tracks.

The vehicle collection includes steam and diesel locomotives as well as passenger and freight cars from the period 1869 to 1935, mostly from Danish private railways. These include the steam locomotive KIØGE from 1879, one of the oldest operational locomotives in the country, and the diesel locomotive LJ M 1 from 1921, regarded as the oldest diesel locomotive in the world. The passenger car A 1 still dates from the opening period.

The vehicles' base is the well-preserved roundhouse complex in Maribo from the years 1918–1926. The association bought Bandholm station with its packhouse in 1984; the 1869 station building has been a protected monument since 1972 and shows the furnished parlor of the last stationmaster.

Highlights

• Rides on steam and motor trains between Maribo and Bandholm harbor
• Steam locomotive KIØGE from 1879 and diesel locomotive LJ M 1 from 1921
• Protected Bandholm station from 1869 with the stationmaster's parlor
• Wooden-bench cars and first-class compartments with plush sofas
• Christmas, Halloween, and twilight trains

Permanent exhibitions

• Stationsforstanderens stue – In Bandholm station the last stationmaster's parlor is furnished with the original furniture that his descendants donated to the museum railway.
• Lokomotiver og vogne – Operational collection of steam and diesel locomotives as well as cars from the years 1869 to 1935, which can be experienced in regular running service.

Founded

1962

Operated by

Museumsbanen Maribo-Bandholm (Verein, hervorgegangen aus dem Dansk Jernbane-Klub)

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to regular steam and motor trains; special trips (e.g., Christmas, Halloween, or dining car trains) have their own prices. Round-trip tickets from Maribo online via the booking system Nem Tilmeld; one-way tickets and trips from Bandholm on the train (cash, MobilePay) or at Bandholm station (also card), as long as seats are available.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The doors of the historic cars are narrow and cannot be passed by wheelchairs; people with disabilities can ride along if their own helpers lift them and their aids into the train. Accessible toilet at Bandholm station, a train toilet on most trains. Dogs are welcome, except in cars with catering.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

Children under 4 ride free, and there is a family ticket. Special family trips are the Christmas trains with Santa Claus and treats in the decorated Bandholm station as well as the Halloween train. Strollers are carried free of charge in the baggage car; the child must be taken out during the ride. Changing facilities in the accessible toilet at Bandholm station.

Getting there & parking

GPS address for the departure station: Banegårdspladsen 5, 4930 Maribo. Distances according to the railway: from Marielyst 38 km, from Rødbyhavn 19 km to Maribo.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

At Bandholm station there is coffee, ice cream, and a selection of souvenirs. Your own food and drinks may be brought along on special trains.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Private special trains with their own timetable and stops, if needed with an attached excursion car with tables and tableware; base price for up to 50 adults, surcharge for additional passengers.

Plan your visit