Name: Pfingstdampf bei der Selfkantbahn 2026
Start: 2026-05-23T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-25T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Selfkantbahn — Gangelt-Schierwaldenrath / Geilenkirchen-Gillrath

Pfingstdampf Selfkantbahn

About Pfingstdampf Selfkantbahn

The Pfingstdampf (Whitsun Steam) at the Selfkantbahn is one of the most beautiful railway events in the westernmost region of North Rhine-Westphalia. Since 1980, a special timetable has been running on Whitsun on the historic narrow-gauge railway between Gangelt-Schierwaldenrath and Geilenkirchen-Gillrath. From May 24th to 25th, 2026, steam locomotives will be in special operation, historic road vehicles and tractors will be exhibited at the stations, and a market with wood, railway items, jewelry, and souvenirs will be held in the engine shed. Historic emergency vehicles are also announced for 2026.

Dates 23 May — 25 May 2026

Venue Gangelt (05370)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Pfingstdampf Selfkantbahn — edition 2026

The 2026 Pfingstdampf runs on the Whitsun weekend, May 23-25. Special timetable with more frequent steam trains between Gangelt-Schierwaldenrath and Geilenkirchen-Gillrath. 2026 Special: historic emergency vehicles (fire engines, ambulances, police) and tractor exhibition at the stations. Market in the engine shed.

The 2026 edition continues the Whitsun format established since 1980, with a thematic focus on historic emergency vehicles. The special timetable and detailed information will be published on the Selfkantbahn website before the event.

Highlights Pfingstdampf Selfkantbahn 2026

Steam operation on the historic narrow-gauge railway
2026 Special: historic emergency vehicles
Vintage tractors at the stations
Market in the historic engine shed
Pfingstdampf tradition since 1980

Programme Pfingstdampf Selfkantbahn 2026

Whit Sunday, May 24, 2026

Special timetable with steam locomotives between Schierwaldenrath and Gillrath
Historic emergency vehicles (fire engines, ambulances, police) at the stations
Vintage tractor exhibition
Market in the engine shed with wood crafts, railway items, jewelry, books, souvenirs

Whit Monday, May 25, 2026

Continuation of the special timetable
Historic vehicles still present at the stations
Market operating in the engine shed

Detailed timetable available at selfkantbahn.de/fahrplaene-angebote/veranstaltungen/pfingstdampf.

Prices Pfingstdampf Selfkantbahn 2026

Tickets available at Schierwaldenrath and Gillrath stations. Day tickets and family tickets are available.

Practical information

Practical information — Pfingstdampf Selfkantbahn

Getting There

By car: Take the A46 to Heinsberg, then follow signs to Gangelt-Schierwaldenrath. Geilenkirchen-Gillrath station is accessible via the A46 Geilenkirchen exit. Parking available at both stations.

Admission

Tickets available at both terminal stations, Schierwaldenrath and Gillrath. Day tickets and family tickets are available.

Tip

Arrive at one of the two stations, buy a day ticket, ride once there and once back (it's part of the experience), and use the stops for the vintage vehicle exhibitions and the market in the engine shed. With children, the whole journey is worthwhile — pure steam locomotive experience.

Steam in the Selfkant

In the far west of North Rhine-Westphalia — right on the border with the Netherlands — lies the Selfkantbahn, one of the last operational narrow-gauge railways in Germany. Over 5.5 kilometers of narrow-gauge track, it runs between Gangelt-Schierwaldenrath and Geilenkirchen-Gillrath — and at Whitsun, it transforms every year into a grand steam event: the Pfingstdampf.

May 24th-25th, 2026 — Whitsun in Steam

The 2026 edition runs on the Whitsun weekend — Saturday, May 23rd to Whit Monday, May 25th, 2026 (special timetable focus on Whit Sunday, May 24th, and Whit Monday, May 25th). Steam locomotives will be in special operation on the route: more frequent trains, additional trips, longer train compositions. The historic road vehicles traditionally come to visit:

Historic tractors and agricultural machinery will be exhibited at Schierwaldenrath and Gillrath stations
Vintage cars from various eras
2026 Special: historic emergency vehicles — fire engines, ambulances, and police vehicles from past decades
In the engine shed: Market with wood crafts, railway items, jewelry, greeting cards, books, souvenirs

Selfkantbahn since 1971

The Selfkantbahn has been operated since 1971 by the Interessengemeinschaft Historischer Schienenverkehr e.V. (Association for Historic Rail Transport) — as a purely volunteer-run museum railway. It uses part of the former Geilenkirchen — Tüddern narrow-gauge light railway, which operated commercially until 1971. Today, it runs as a tourist attraction with steam and diesel locomotives, restored historic carriages, and a meticulously maintained engine shed with a workshop.

Pfingstdampf since 1980

The Pfingstdampf has been running since 1980 — for over 45 years — and is one of the traditional railway events in West Germany. Over the decades, the format has become established: special timetable with more frequent journeys, accompanying market in the engine shed, vintage car meet at the stations, often with a thematic focus (2026: historic emergency vehicles).

Gangelt and Schierwaldenrath

Gangelt is a municipality in the Heinsberg district, in the far west of North Rhine-Westphalia. With around 12,000 inhabitants, it is a rural collective municipality, characterized by agriculture and the nearby Dutch border. The district of Schierwaldenrath is located in the north of the municipality and houses the main station of the Selfkantbahn. The western terminus is Geilenkirchen-Gillrath. Visitors to Pfingstdampf can combine the train ride with walks through the hilly Selfkant region or a visit to the nearby Dutch side.