HISTORIK MOBIL — Steam Train and Vintage Car Weekend Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway

20 Years of a Living Railway Museum

What began in the 2000s as an idea for a vintage car and train weekend is now one of the most renowned railway festivals in Eastern Germany: HISTORIK MOBIL. In 2026, the festival runs from August 7th to 9th for its 20th anniversary edition. The organizer is SOEG — Sächsisch-Oberlausitzer Eisenbahngesellschaft, the operator of the Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway.

The Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway — A Stage of Rails and Steam

The Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway has been running between Zittau and the mountain stations of Kurort Oybin and Kurort Jonsdorf in the Zittau Mountains — Germany's smallest low mountain range — since 1890. It is one of the few actively operated narrow-gauge railways in Saxony and a tourist highlight even in everyday operation. During HISTORIK MOBIL, rare steam locomotives from the SOEG's collection are used — historic locomotives that only run on a few weekends a year.

Three Stations as Venues

The festival utilizes all branches of the narrow-gauge railway. Zittau station is the starting and ending point for many special trips. Kurort Jonsdorf is the venue for the Vintage Car Days, with vehicles displayed around the station and the municipal office. Kurort Oybin, with its famous monastery ruins, is a traditional mountain station. Visitors to the festival can explore all three stations with day tickets for the narrow-gauge railway.

Jonsdorf Vintage Car Days

The Jonsdorf Vintage Car Days are a distinct part of the festival and take place parallel to the train operations. Vintage cars, historic Lanz Bulldog tractors, old trucks, and fire engines are presented around Jonsdorf station and the town hall. For lovers of pre-war and post-war vehicles, this showcase is unique.

Lückendorf Hill Climb — Germany's Oldest Natural Race Track

Another highlight is the Lückendorf Hill Climb — competitions for historic vehicles on the route from Lückendorf to Oybin. This route is Germany's oldest natural race track. The vehicles compete in several classes — from pre-war cars to post-war sports cars.

Zittau, Zittau Mountains, and the Görlitz District

Zittau is located in the Görlitz district in southeastern Saxony, on the tri-border area with Poland and the Czech Republic. The Zittau Mountains — Germany's smallest low mountain range — is a popular hiking area with distinctive sandstone rocks, the Oybin castle ruins, and the Jonsdorf millstone quarries. Visitors to HISTORIK MOBIL should combine their stay with a hike up the Töpfer mountain or a visit to the Oybin monastery ruins.