Between 1880 and 1957, narrow-gauge railways were a core part of Luxembourg's mobility infrastructure. Since 2001, this historic mode of transport has been revived on a small scale in Esch-Lankelz by the non-profit association CFLankelz, founded in 1997.
The association is dedicated to bringing the narrow-gauge railway of yesteryear back to life.
From 1 May to 15 October, visitors can enjoy rides on a steam or diesel engine railway every Sunday between 2pm and 5.30pm. The track, located next to the football pitches of US Esch and Fola in Esch-Lallange, spans 1.5 kilometres, with each journey taking about 15 minutes.
The association comprises 20 volunteers, half of whom are actively involved every Sunday. One of these volunteers, Jo Menster, has been an active member for about six years. "It started when I came here every Sunday with my parents to ride the trains," he recalls. Menster particularly enjoys the mechanical aspects of the trains, noting that the small scale of the installation makes it even more interesting to engage with the mechanical parts.
Historically, between 1880 and 1957, narrow-gauge railway lines connected Luxembourg City to Echternach and Remich, among other locations. Jean-Paul Gemmer, the association's secretary, explains that there were also more localised lines, such as Diekirch-Vianden. He notes that politicians of the time believed every canton's main town should be connected to the railway network.
Once Upon A Time...zu Lëtzebuerg: Jangeli – A narrow-gauge railway turned folklore icon
The non-profit has reconstructed their small-scale engines and carriages based on historical data, although some compromises, such as length, had to be made.
The non-profit's steam engine is powered by actual coal, specifically a type called anthracite. Menster explains that anthracite has a slightly higher fuel value, meaning less coal is needed. He notes that while small engines burn at much higher temperatures, the upside is that anthracite produces much less pollution and offers a more comfortable ride for passengers.
The train in Lankelz travels at about 5 kilometres per hour, allowing passengers ample time to enjoy the surrounding environment.
For the non-profit, using a narrow-gauge railway was essential because it allows passengers to sit inside the carriages. Gemmer points out that some reconstructions of standard gauge railways, scaled down to 1:10 or 1:11, only permit people to sit on top of the carriages.
Currently, the non-profit is seeking more volunteers who are passionate about narrow-gauge railways to join their team.
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)
