Museumsbahn Etzwilen–Singen
Cross-border museum railway with historic steam train trips between Etzwilen and Singen over the Hemishofen Rhine bridge, plus rail bikes (Schienenvelos) from Ramsen.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The railway line from Etzwilen to Singen opened in 1875. It is one of the few SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) lines that were never electrified, and it has therefore remained an original steam-train line to this day. Passenger service ended in 1969, freight service in 1996 and 2004 respectively. To prevent the threatened dismantling, a group from the Schaffhausen region founded the Verein zur Erhaltung der Bahnlinie Etzwilen–Singen (VES; Association for the Preservation of the Etzwilen–Singen Railway Line) on May 26, 2001.
Since 2006 the line has belonged to the Stiftung Museumsbahn SEHR&RS, which took over the infrastructure from the SBB; it leases the section in Singen from the city. The Rhine bridge at Hemishofen, the centerpiece of the line, is owned by the Stiftung Eisenbahnbrücke Hemishofen. The VES runs the operation as a museum railway, supported by the German partner association Eisenbahnfreunde Hegau. In 2019, missing tracks in Singen were reinstalled, and continuous trains have been possible again since then.
Each year there are usually a few public trips with steam or historic diesel locomotives; in 2026 these are on April 19, June 28, September 13 (with a station festival in Rielasingen) and October 18. Rail bikes also start at Ramsen station, where a model railway layout can be seen. In Etzwilen, the association maintains the heritage-listed former locomotive shed as a carriage storage hall.
Highlights
- Historic steam and diesel train trips between Etzwilen and Singen, crossing the Hemishofen Rhine bridge
- The only SBB line that was never electrified, crossing from Switzerland into Germany
- Rail bike trips from Ramsen station to the Rhine bridge
- Model railway layout at Ramsen station
- Station festivals and Samichlaus (St. Nicholas) trips
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- Verein zur Erhaltung der Bahnlinie Etzwilen–Singen (VES); Infrastruktur: Stiftung Museumsbahn SEHR&RS
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 10 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | CHF 7free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 16 pay a flat CHF 7; children under 6, bicycles and strollers travel free. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –For groups, every 10th person travels free; reservations for groups of 10 or more must be made up to 2 days before the trip. |
| Families | CHF 27Family fare for 2 adults and their own children aged 6 to 16, one station one-way; round trip CHF 37. |
| Day pass, adults | CHF 40 |
| Day pass, family (2 adults and own children aged 6–16) | CHF 87 |
| Adults, round trip, one station | CHF 15Four stations: one-way CHF 18, round trip CHF 27. |
| Rail bike Ramsen–Rhine bridge and back (about 90 minutes, per vehicle) | CHF 50For 4 to 5 people; short trip Ramsen–Hemishofen and back (about 60 minutes) CHF 30. |
Prices for public trips in fall 2026 (the fare depends on the number of stations; adults one-way CHF 10 to 18). GA, Halbtax (half-fare card), Bahncard and similar passes are not valid. Tickets only on the train and at the info stand; payment in cash or with TWINT, and at Ramsen station also by credit card. Rail bike reservations online up to one day in advance; spontaneous trips are possible when vehicles are available.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | CHF 27 · Family fare for 2 adults and their own children aged 6 to 16, one station one-way; round trip CHF 37. |
Children under 6 travel free; children aged 6 to 16 pay a flat CHF 7; strollers and bicycles are carried free of charge.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Etzwilen
Etzwilen is served by Thurbo line S1; Ramsen-Petersburg (start of the rail bike trips) is reached by bus.
Rail bike meeting point: Bahnhof Ramsen, Petersburg 700, 8262 Ramsen, bus stop Ramsen-Petersburg. Check in with the supervisor about 15 minutes before departure.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
On operating days, drinks and souvenirs are available in the bar car and at the info stand (Rielasingen or Ramsen station).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | If the steam locomotive fails, trains run with diesel traction; adherence to the timetable is not guaranteed. Railway facilities outside the publicly accessible areas may not be entered. Dogs may ride on the rail bike as long as they do not leave it. For associations, companies, schools and families, special rail bike trips are possible from two vehicles or from 6 people, also on weekdays or in the early evening, for example with an apéro on the Rhine bridge. |
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