24Trains.tv was invited to visit one of the largest steam train festivals in Europe, held every year in Chemnitz, Germany. In this three-part series we take you to this so-called Heizhausfest, the 30th edition already. We were amazed; we had never seen so many steam locomotives and other museum equipment in one place! We got an exclusive look behind the scenes and even drove on the steam locomotive of the Heizhaus Express! Credits: Fabian Vendrig Part 3 will be online on September 28.

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Heizhausfest - Europe's largest steam train festival

Heizhausfest 2023

In this first part we travel to Chemnitz, making a stopover at Leipzig's main station along the way. Upon arrival at the Schauplatz Eisenbahn, there was a welcome speech from the director, after which an exclusive tour of the site followed and the preparations for the Heizhausfest were filmed. Available with English subtitles: click on 'cc' at the bottom right to select your subtitles. Credits: Fabian Vendrig

Part 1: To the Heizhausfest

In this second part, the Heizhausfest in Chemnitz-Hilbersdorf kicks off with the traditional opening whistles (Anpfeifen) of the steam locomotives and various locomotive parades. There was a lot of activity on the large 'Feldbahn' of the Saxon Railway Museum, with a track gauge of 600 millimetres. The traditional Heizhaus Express ran that day as well and this year the ride went, with two steam locomotives as lead, to Marienberg. A special destination, because the section between Plockau and Marienberg is only used by the Bundswehr, the German army. 24Trains.tv was allowed to drive along on the steamloc! Available with English subtitles: click on 'cc' at the bottom right to select your subtitles. Credits: Fabian Vendrig

Part 2: Opening Heizhausfest and Heizhaus Express 

This third part contains footage of the second day of the Heizhausfest with many steam locomotives. Presentations were given on the turntable and the steam locomotives on the 'Feldbahn' also made their rounds for the public. 
The highlight of this day was of course the locomotive parade with the many museum locomotives from the Saxon Railway Museum. Enjoy all these beautiful historical museum trains in this exclusive video! Available with English subtitles: click on 'cc' at the bottom right to select your subtitles. Credits: Fabian Vendrig

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Heizhausfest - Europe's largest steam train festival

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