Experience the familiar nostalgic Christmas atmosphere from grandma’s time during a steam train journey on the special ‘Kerst Expres.’ Gently, the puffing steam locomotive sets the Kerst Expres in motion. The steam heating keeps the nostalgic carriage comfortably warm, while wisps of steam adorn your window on the outside. Enjoy the beautiful winter landscape of South Limburg!
The Kerst Expres operates on the following days:
- Saturday, December 14
- Sunday, December 15
- Saturday, December 21
- Sunday, December 22
- Thursday, December 26
- Friday, December 27
- Saturday, December 28
- Sunday, December 29
- Tuesday, December 31
- Saturday, January 4
Simpelveld is the beating heart of the Miljoenenlijn. In and around the 110-year-old station building, our volunteers will take you back to Christmases of the past. We warmly welcome you here with old-fashioned Christmas music and atmospheric decorations. While the children take a peek at the Christmas crib on the platform, you can enjoy hot chocolate with a piece of Limburgian pie or a delicious homemade soup in our station restaurant, ‘Brasserie Perron 4.’
Arrangements
During the Kerst Expres operating days, we also offer the well-known arrangements. How about the Miljoenenlijn Arrangement? This includes a steam train ride, lunch at Brasserie Perron 4 at Simpelveld station, and an informative walking tour around the museum grounds. You can also visit the Brand Brewery in Wijlre (with a tasting), take the kids to the Discovery Museum in Kerkrade, or join the refreshing Castle Walk around Schin op Geul with a lunch at Hotel Salden.
Two highlights, of course, are the traditional Christmas Lunch (December 26) and New Year’s Eve Brunch (December 31) in the luxurious Pullman lounge carriage from 1927. While enjoying the stunning winter landscapes, our chef will serve you an extensive lunch or brunch during your train journey.
Route & Timetable
The Kerst Expres shuttles multiple times per operating day between our main station Simpelveld and Schin op Geul station. Along the way, the train passes through the Eys-Wittem and Wijlré-Gulpen stations. Additionally, our railbus runs all day between Simpelveld and Kerkrade, Vetschau (in Germany), and Schin op Geul. The precise timetable for each operating day can be viewed by clicking on the respective date in the list above.
It is possible to board or disembark at any station along the route. Parking is free at Simpelveld Station or one of the other stations.
If you would like to learn more about the types of train tickets (such as the family ticket and group ticket) and the rates, please click on the button below:
From Schin op Geul, you can even continue your journey for free with your Miljoenenlijn day pass on Arriva trains to Kerststad Valkenburg, Wintertijd Heerlen, or Magisch Maastricht.
