Kleinbahnmuseum Selfkantbahn

About the museum

The Geilenkirchener Kreisbahnen (Geilenkirchen district railways) served the rural Selfkant, in the far west of Germany, for seventy years. When road competition became overwhelming around 1971, the end of the meter-gauge local railway seemed sealed. Yet as early as 1969, railway enthusiasts had founded the association "Interessengemeinschaft Historischer Schienenverkehr" (IHS; Interest Group for Historic Rail Transport) to save historic rail vehicles from scrapping and collect them on the tracks of the railway.

The last section of the once 38-kilometer line between Gillrath and Schierwaldenrath (5.5 kilometers) was leased and has been operated as a museum railway in its own right since 1972. The opening train had still departed from Geilenkirchen on August 14, 1971. Since 1984, the Selfkantbahn has been the last of the once numerous meter-gauge local railways in North Rhine-Westphalia; its operations hub is Schierwaldenrath station.

The collection includes seven steam locomotives, several diesel vehicles, historic passenger and freight cars, and auxiliary vehicles. In the summer season, trains run on Sundays and public holidays; special trips such as Halloween and St. Nicholas trips are also offered.

Highlights

• Ride on a historic steam train between Gillrath and Schierwaldenrath (5.5 km)
• Seven steam locomotives and several diesel railcars
• 1901 buffet car, known as the "Rolling Registry Office"
• Children's tours and Teddy Bear Day
• St. Nicholas and Halloween trips

Permanent exhibition

• Fahrzeugsammlung der Selfkantbahn – Historic steam and diesel locomotives, railcars, passenger and freight cars, and auxiliary vehicles of the meter-gauge railway.

Founded

1971

Operated by

Touristenbahnen im Rheinland GmbH (TBR) mit Förderverein IHS e. V.

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Birthday children ride free on their birthday upon showing ID, provided that trains run that day in the summer season.

Fares for 2026 apply to the scheduled trains of the summer season; the "regular" fare covers a return trip. Stuffed animals ride for free. Members of associations that operate a museum railway pay 50%. Visitors to the Wildpark Gangelt (wildlife park) and the Bauernmuseum Tüddern (farm museum) receive a reduction of €0.80 (adults) or €0.40 (children) on the return ticket. The Deutschlandticket is not valid.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

In the "Wagen für alle" (carriage for everyone), travel with a wheelchair or rollator is possible via a ramp (up to 8 wheelchairs); train attendants help with boarding and alighting. Guide dogs are always permitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Children's tours, Teddy Bear Day (children with a stuffed animal ride free), children's festival, Easter trips and St. Nicholas trips; children under 4 ride free.

Getting there & parking

Terminus stations: Schierwaldenrath (Am Bahnhof 13a, 52538 Gangelt) and Gillrath (Bergstraße 1, 52511 Geilenkirchen). By car via the A 44 (Aldenhoven interchange, then B 56) or the A 46 and B 56n; the roads are signposted "Selfkantbahn".

Amenities & dining

Some trains have a buffet car; at Schierwaldenrath station there is the station restaurant "Zur Selfkantbahn".

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 400 guests.

Special trains from €475 (diesel railcar, 50 seats), from €795 (diesel train) and from €1,095 (steam train, 100 seats). Civil wedding ceremonies are held in buffet car 124 ("Rolling Registry Office"); inquiries to sonderzug@selfkantbahn.de.

Plan your visit