70 years of the Lauchhammer Park Railway: Celebration with new train drivers!

70 years of the Lauchhammer Park Railway: Celebration with new train drivers!

The park railway in the Lauchhammer-West Castle Park enjoyed its 70th anniversary celebrations on July 6, 2023. On the occasion of this milestone birthday, a big celebration was organized that attracted numerous visitors. The history of the railway, which opened on Miners' Day in 1955 with the locomotives Luzi, Rosi and Amanda, is deeply interwoven with the region and makes it a popular excursion destination for young and old. The tradition of the railway, which was temporarily closed in 1999 due to technical defects, was brought back to life by the traditional association Braunkohle Lauchhammer after it resumed operations in 2003.

During the anniversary celebration, Mayor Mirko Buhr spoke about the voluntary commitment of the club members, who play a key role in keeping the railway running. It was particularly pleasing to welcome four new train drivers who passed their exams on the day of the ceremony: Janet Becker, Melanie Thomschke, Vivien Eichhorn and Nicole Guksch. This reinforcement will continue to enliven the park railway team and secure operations. The test was taken by Hartmuth Wirtz, who retired that day and thus ushered in a new chapter in the history of the railway.

Celebrations and events

The celebrations surrounding the park railway were celebrated at the same time as the traditional Miners' Day. On July 6, 2025, this event took place from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and preparations were already in full swing. The traditional association Braunkohle Lauchhammer e.V. had put together a varied program that offered everything you could wish for: from live music to delicious food to child-friendly attractions such as bouncy castles and carousels. Particular highlights of the day were the anniversary rides on the Parkbahn, which were very popular with both the little ones and the adults.

To celebrate together, there were performances by the duo Second Live and the Orchestra of Miners Plessa e.V., which created a great atmosphere. All generations got their money's worth with this mix of entertainment and family celebration. The castle park, which served as the event location, offered the perfect setting for the celebrations with its idyllic surroundings.

A look at the park railways

The park railway in Lauchhammer is not the only one of its kind in Germany. There are a variety of park railways throughout the country, attracting both children and train enthusiasts. Especially in regions like Brandenburg you can find some interesting rides that invite you to linger, such as in Cottbus's Eliaspark or in the grassy park in Chemnitz. Such rides are not only a piece of history, but also a popular leisure activity.

Back in Lauchhammer, the small railway continues to be cared for with passion, and the work of the traditional association remains essential to keep this special part of the regional culture alive.

The park railway and its history show how much community and voluntary commitment connect the hearts of the local people. It is to be hoped that future generations will continue to discover the joy and fascination for the small railway. A trip to the park railway is definitely worth it.

You can find more information about the celebrations and the history of the park railway at Niederlausitz Current and Lauchhammer.de. Information about other park railways in Germany is available here Wikipedia.