Old trains, lake illuminations lure visitors to Eiswoog

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


In both summer and winter, the Eiswoog lake near Ramsen lures many

visitors. And on Saturday, organizers of the event “Eiswoog on flames,” expect around 5,000 guests to come witness as the lake is illuminated in bengal lights.

During the event, there will also be musical entertainment, a fire show, food and beverages, and a torch ride on a special old train, called Stumpfwaldbahn, which travels in the upper Eistal valley near Ramsen.

The torch rides will start at 5 p.m. and will transport passengers on an illuminated route between the train stations at Eiswoog lake and Bockbach valley.

Next to both train stations and at the Seehaus Forelle restaurant, warm meals and drinks will be served.

Hunting horn blowers will start playing at 6 p.m. near the camp fires. A group called Fire Inferno will present a fire show at 7:30 p.m. at Stumpfwald train station.

The Donnersberger Drum Group will start at 8:15 p.m. to accompany visitors from the Eiswoog train station to the lake and back.

At 8 p.m., the last train will take passengers from Bockbachtal train station to the Eiswoog train station, just in time for the highlight of the event: the bengal illumination of the lake at 8:45 p.m. “Eiswoog on Flame” will end at

9:45. p.m.

The event location in the upper Eistal valley on county road L395 is between Ramsen and Enkenbach-Alsenborn.

Organizers are asking visitors to take public transportation to get to the event since parking near the lake is limited. Shuttle trains can be boarded near the monument in Ramsen starting 3:40 p.m. (then every hour); in Alsenborn center at 3:53 p.m.; and at the Enkenbach train station at 3:58 p.m. They will ride every hour until 8 p.m.

The Stumpfwaldbahn Train Association maintains old trains mines, quarries and lumber mills. Rides for tourists are offered on a special field railway between Eiswoog lake and Ramsen from May 1 to Oct. 3 on Sundays and German holidays.

For more information and directions, visit www.stumpfwaldbahn.de.