{Berlin} Historic Steam Train Ride

Yesterday, we marked the Second of Advent with an historic steam train ride around wintery Berlin-Brandenburg. We’d taken The Boy on the same ride three years ago, and it was just as atmospheric as we’d remembered it. For Mr Fox, it was the first time. Both boys were super excited!

When we arrived, they were just firing up the steam engine, which looked really impressive – lots of steam and smoke everywhere.

All aboard!

Lots to see out the window – did I mention already how excited the boys where? Lol. You could also go and stand outside while the train was moving, which was even more exciting – and also super cold since the weather was at sub zero. Brrr.

About half way through the ride, St Nicholas made an appearance! He handed out bags of chocolates, and all the little people were in sugar rush Heaven.

The train ride ended in Basdorf, at the depot of the historic train society which restores and maintains the historic trains, and they also have a small museum.

We had just under two hours in Basdorf. Plenty of time to look around the museum, take part in some of the kids activities – such as riding the mini train and making mini gingerbread houses – and warm ourselves up with mulled wine (juice for the kids!), Bratwurst, and huddling round the fire pit.

On the train ride back to Berlin, St Nicholas made another appearance. This time to read a picture book to everyone. It was actually a song, so everyone had to join in.

Mr Fox just gazed in awe from afar, whilst his big brother listened intently for the cues to join in. Seeing the magic of Christmas light up in your children’s eyes is truly as wonderful as everyone says it is!

And here are my three boys, just before the end of the ride. It really was the perfect way to spend an Advent Sunday.

The Berliner Eisenbahnfreunde e.V. run several historic train rides throughout the year, and not just over Christmas, so it’s worth checking out their website if this is something you’d fancy doing. Their rides book up really quickly though, so don’t think about it too long!