Schmalspurbahn Wolkenstein–Jöhstadt
Steam-operated narrow-gauge heritage railway in the Ore Mountains: about eight kilometers through the Preßnitz Valley between Jöhstadt and Steinbach.
About the museum
The 750 mm narrow-gauge railway from Wolkenstein to Jöhstadt opened in 1892, serving the Preßnitz Valley over a good 24 kilometers up to the Bohemian border. For nearly a hundred years it carried people and goods from the Ore Mountain villages to the main line. Passenger service ended in 1984, and the last freight service at the end of 1986; by 1989 most of the track had been removed.
In 1988 an interest group formed within the Kulturbund der DDR (East German cultural association); it initially rescued vehicles and memorabilia and, after German reunification, set about rebuilding a section as a heritage railway. From 1992 the volunteers laid new track in Jöhstadt; in 1993 the first trains ran to Schlössel, and in August 2000 the roughly eight-kilometer section to Steinbach was once again passable throughout.
Today IG Preßnitztalbahn e. V. operates the line as a public railway with its own infrastructure and transport companies. Its model is narrow-gauge operation around 1970: Saxon steam locomotives of classes IV K and VI K haul historic passenger and freight cars, supplemented by diesel locomotives and service vehicles. In 2005 an exhibition and rolling-stock hall was added in Jöhstadt on the site of a former factory. The association continues to work on projects such as the new Jöhstadt station and the reconstruction of track in Oberschmiedeberg.
Highlights
- Steam train ride through the Preßnitz and Schwarzwasser valleys with nine stations
- Saxon narrow-gauge steam locomotives of classes IV K and VI K
- Jöhstadt station with engine shed and exhibition and rolling-stock hall
- Atmospheric Advent, winter and night-owl rides
- Station festival at Pentecost as the highlight of the year
- Operated by
- Interessengemeinschaft Preßnitztalbahn e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
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| Children & teens | €4Child fare for ages 6 to 14 (one way, distance zone 1); the fare table lists no price for younger children. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –No discount listed in the fare table; additional discounts only through discount schemes the railway participates in. |
| Students & apprentices | –No student discount listed. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –For 10 or more people, a discount of €0.25 (one way) or €0.50 (round trip) per person; for 20 or more, €0.50 or €1.00. |
| Families | €26Family ticket for 2 adults and up to 5 children (ages 6–14), one way, distance zone 2; round trip €35. |
| One way, distance zone 2 (more than half the line) | €10Children €6 |
| Round trip, distance zone 1 (half the line) | €10Children €6 |
| Round trip, distance zone 2 (entire line) | €16Children €8 |
| Family ticket, round trip | €352 adults and up to 5 children |
| Day ticket | €35Children €16 |
| Bus "Ausflugslinie Preßnitztal" (Preßnitz Valley excursion line) Wolkenstein–Steinbach, entire route | €5Partial route €3, children €3 or €1; available only from the bus driver, VMS tickets not valid. |
Fares valid from January 5, 2026; distance zone 1 = half the line (e.g., Jöhstadt–Schmalzgrube), distance zone 2 = anything beyond that. Tickets at the station ticket offices, on the train and (distance zone 2 only) in the online shop or at the main office (Mon–Fri 8:00–16:00). The Deutschland-Ticket is not accepted. Special trains and events with special fares have their own prices; vouchers, e.g., for night-owl rides and cab rides, are available in the Preß'-Shop.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The website provides no information on the accessibility of trains and stations; contact the main office for details.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | €26 · Family ticket for 2 adults and up to 5 children (ages 6–14), one way, distance zone 2; round trip €35. |
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Strollers are taken along free of charge as long as there is space on the train, primarily in the baggage car or load-carrying compartment. Children up to 5 years ride free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
By Erzgebirgsbahn to Annaberg-Buchholz unterer Bahnhof (about 300 m to the bus stop) or by bus line 210 from Chemnitz to Annaberg-Buchholz bus station, then continue by bus line 430 to Jöhstadt; on weekdays, line 429 between Jöhstadt, Bärenstein, and Oberwiesenthal. On selected operating days, the "Ausflugslinie Preßnitztal" (excursion bus) from Wolkenstein (connecting with the Erzgebirgsbahn) to Steinbach.
By car
Parking available
Parking lots in Jöhstadt (Ladestraße, Am Dürrenberg 121 with an 11 kW EV charging station, former supermarket on Schlösselstraße), at the vehicle hall (with EV charging station), in Schmalzgrube (Ladestraße), and in Steinbach (Ladestraße with EV charging station).
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Preß' shop with tickets, calendars, and souvenirs (online). Places to eat along the route, e.g., Raststätte Wildbach, Forellenhof, and the restaurant at the Andreas-Gegentrum-Stolln; buffet car on the train for winter trips.
Events & venue rental
According to the fare regulations, special trains are charged separately; inquiries through the main office.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The line has nine stations (Jöhstadt, Fahrzeughalle, Schlössel, Loreleifelsen, Schmalzgrube, Forellenhof, Stolln, Wildbach, Steinbach); trains pass each other in Schmalzgrube. Special events such as night-owl rides with dinner and a torchlight hike, photo freight trains and cab rides only with advance booking or a voucher. |
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