There are several associations of railway enthusiasts that run heritage railways in Denmark on selected routes. The trains are composed of historic steam or diesel locomotives, or old diesel multiple units. Traveling by such a train is a great opportunity to learn how the railway operated in Denmark a few decades ago.
Heritage railways in Denmark:
Bjergbanen – rides in a historic railbus from 1968 on the railway siding from Lemvig to the port. The route, only 1.5 km long, is currently considered the most beautiful railway line in Denmark, and the views of the fjord from the train are breathtaking. I don’t know whether it is a marketing or true. The height difference over a distance of 1 kilometer is as much as 30 meters. The one-way journey takes 15 minutes. The railway siding to the port was built in 1891 only for freight traffic, but unofficially there were passenger trains.
Bjergbanen – official website
Gedser Jernbane – vintage train rides in the summer season on a short route from Gedser (15 minutes in each direction). In the Gedser locomotive depot, where the association caring for the historic rolling stock is based, on selected days visitors can see an exhibition of Danish and Norwegian rolling stock, as well as ride the handcar railway. The nearest train station is Nykøbing (nostalgic trains sometimes run from Gedser to Nykøbing.
Gedser Jernbane – official website
Limfjordsbanen – vintage trains running on two routes near Aalborg – to Østhavn and Skørping since 1973. The route to Østhavn is owned by the port. A one-way journey on both routes takes 45 minutes, and in the railway locomotive shed passengers can see historic carriages and locomotives.
Limfjordsbanen – official website
Mariager – Handest Veteranjernbane – summer trains running on selected days on a closed line from Handest station near Fårup to Mariager. The line was opened in 1921. Passenger traffic on the 19-kilometer line was ended in 1966, four years later the freight traffic was ceased. Tourist traffic since 1970.
Mariager – Handest Veteranjernbane – official websites
Museumsbanen Maribo – Bandholm – vintage train rides on the oldest private railway line in Denmark, opened in 1869. Tourist rides since 1962. the biggest attraction is the oldest working steam locomotive in Denmark, manufactured in 1879. The trains are comprised of carriages manufactured in 1869-1930. The journey takes 27 minutes in each direction.
Museumsbanen Maribo – official website
Syd Fynske Veteranjernbane – rides on the preserved section of the disused Fåborg – Korinth railway line, opened in 1882 and closed to passenger traffic in 1962, and to freight traffic in 1987. In 1989, tourist trains were launched on the much longer section Fåborg – Ringe, but in 2002, part of the line was demolished and an educational path was created in place of the old track. The one-way journey takes half an hour.
Syd Fynske Veteranjernbane – official website
Vestsjællands Veterantog – journeys on various routes in Zeeland; vintaage trains can most often be found on the Høng – Gørlev route (22 minutes one way) and on the extended route from Høng to Slagelsev (over 50 minutes). Vintage trains are launched sporadically also on active routes.
Vestsjællands Veterantog – official website
Veteranbanen Bryrup – Vrads – a five-kilometer preserved section of the Horsens – Silkeborg railway line closed in 1968. A picturesque short section from Bryrup leads through lakes and forests to Vrads station, where travelers can enjoy the services of a restaurant.
Veteranbanen Bryrup – Vrads – official website
Veteranbanen Haderslev – Vojens – vintage trains on a thirteen-kilometer abandoned railway line. There were plans to dismantled line and transform old railway embankment into a bicycle path. Trains have carriages manufactured in 1950-1965 and are hauled by a steam locomotive from 1916.
Veteranbanen Haderslev – Vojens – official website
In addition to the list, there are several other associations that organize charter trips on vintage trains, e.g. on the occasion of Christmas markets. The Railway Museum in Odense also runs nostalgic trains from time to time.
Related articles:
Train travel in Denmark
Narrow gauge railways in Denmark
