On the trail of the historic narrow-gauge railway
The historic narrow-gauge railway "Wilder Robert" has a centuries-old tradition in the region around Mügeln and Oschatz. The roots of the narrow-gauge railway go back to the second half of the 19th century: While countless industrial companies settled in the Saxon metropolitan areas of Leipzig, Dresden and Chemnitz, the areas of central and northern Saxony were primarily characterized by agriculture. In the area around Mügeln, the history of the railway began in 1884 with a provisionally set up beet transport system and thus the industrial development of the region. Since not only agriculture shaped the region, but also raw materials such as the "white gold" kaolin were mined, an expansion of the railway network was necessary. In a very short time, an impressive network of narrow-gauge railways with a total length of 92 kilometers was created along the main line Oschatz - Mügeln - Döbeln. The "Wild Robert" transported kaolin until 2001, which is still mined in nearby Kemmlitz today. The transport of kaolin by the narrow-gauge railway ensured its existence for 98 years and was the railway's main transported goods for many decades. With its steam and diesel locomotives, the narrow-gauge railway is one of the most important tourism factors in the region and is not just an attraction for railway enthusiasts. Whole generations have grown up with and are familiar with the puffing sound of the Döllnitzbahn. Anyone who wants to take a ride on the Döllnitzbahn can usually travel from Glossen to Oschatz and back again from Monday to Friday between 7 a.m. and 15 p.m. Special timetables apply during the holiday periods, which are available on the Döllnitzbahn website. The Döllnitzbahn also offers special tours and special trips with steam trains on the theme of spring, carnival or Advent. For example, the "mulled wine express" runs on some days in December. In addition to hot drinks, children's punch, Bockwurst and Stollen await the passengers on the baggage wagon.
On the Road with "Wild Robert"
The journey with the "Wild Robert" begins in Oschatz. The steam locomotive travels along the Döllnitz, past the "O-Schatz-Park" and the Rosenthal. After the train leaves Oschatz in the direction of Mügeln, it plunges into the meadows and floodplains of the Döllnitz valley. The journey leads through the charming landscape past the alpaca and ostrich farm in Thalheim. After 15 kilometers and just under 40 minutes of travel time, you reach the former largest narrow-gauge railway station in Germany in Mügeln. Once there, there is time for a short rest and the opportunity to explore the station with the geoportal "Kaolin Adventure World". The train then sets off again on a narrow gauge track with the destination Glossen or Kemmlitz. In Glossen, it is possible to change to the historic field railway on certain days.
New Geoportal in the old train station
In August 2019, a new geoportal opened in the renovated Mügeln train station, which deals with the history and present of kaolin mining and the narrow-gauge railway. In this thematic visitor center, an exhibition is presented in a clear manner and specialist knowledge is imparted using interactive screens. In a tour around the train station, visitors can experience the history and technology of the narrow-gauge railway. The geoportal is thus one of a total of six geoportals in the National Geopark Porphyrland Steinreich in Saxony, which was once the largest volcanic area in Europe around 280 million years ago. To this day, the mining of kaolin and porphyry shapes the region as an important landscape-forming industry.
Important facts at one glance
As the southernmost small town in the district of Nordsachsen in the Free State of Saxony, Mügeln is home to around 28 inhabitants in 6.000 districts. Mügeln became famous as the former bishopric of the diocese of Meissen and in the 19th century for the narrow-gauge railway at the station in Mügeln, which was once considered one of the largest narrow-gauge stations in Europe.
The city can be reached via the A14 between Dresden and Leipzig and via the S 31 from Markt 1 to the Leisnig junction.