©Jängel Klasen

Veiner Gare – Former Trainstation

Nestled along the River Our, the town of Vianden once boasted a unique railway connection – the "Benny Express." This narrow-gauge line operated from 1889 to 1948, linking Vianden with Diekirch's main railway, a vital step in making the town more accessible to tourists.

Building a Scenic Route

To connect Vianden, engineers faced the challenge of laying track within the winding Our Valley. They opted for a narrow-gauge design, allowing for tighter curves and making construction more feasible. Though its origin is debated, this line became affectionately known as the "Benny Express."

The Heartbeat of the Valley

The "Benny" served as a lifeline for both locals and visitors. Tourists enjoyed the scenic journey, while residents relied on the train for their daily commute and to transport goods like timber and agricultural products. On a typical day, you might see families heading for a day trip, farmers with their produce, or perhaps hikers disembarking to explore the beautiful countryside.

Decline and Transformation

Changing times brought challenges. Rising costs and the increasing popularity of buses led to the "Benny Express" being discontinued in 1948. While this marked the end of the line, its legacy lives on.

Rediscovering the Rails

Today, a portion of the old railway has been transformed into a cycle path, allowing visitors to follow the line's route through the picturesque Our Valley. The preserved Bettel station also stands as a reminder of Vianden's railway past. Though the "Benny Express" no longer runs, it holds an important place in both the region's history and the hearts of those who remember its rhythmic chugging along the valley.

Contact

Address: Veiner Gare – Ehemaliger Bahnhof
L-9414 Vianden
Show on map

More sites

Përmeshaff – Estate ruins
Përmeshaff, a historic site near Kaundorf, traces its roots to 1195. Over the centuries, it evolved into a religious centre, attracting pilgrims to its chapel and healing springs. Despite enduring a devastating fire in 1936, recent archaeological efforts have unveiled layers of its rich history, highlighting significance of Përmeshaff as a cultural landmark.
Find out more
©Visit Éislek
Museum of the Battle of the Bulge Wiltz
Discover the moving history of the "martyr town" during the Battle of the Bulge in the interactive museum in Wiltz. Experience history up close in the beautiful Wiltz Castle.
Find out more
©Naturpark Oewersauer, Naturpark Oewersauer
Circular routes
Schumannseck 1944-1945 Memorial Path
Distance: 3,09 km
Duration: 0:50 h
Difficulty: easy
Find out more
©Visit Éislek
St. Lawrence Church Diekirch
The Laurentius Church in Diekirch was planned by Pierre Biwer and completed in 1868. It was declared a national monument in 2017.
Find out more
©Gaul’s Legacy Tours
US Memorial Diekirch
The US Memorial located in the municipal parc of Diekirch river remembers a number of US units that were present in and around the city, September 1944 – February 1945.
Find out more
©Commune de Troisvierges
Troisvierges Trainstation
Troisvierges Station's story mirrors a dynamic era in European history. From a modest border stop, it transformed into a vital transportation hub, only to witness the turmoil of war and the gradual shift toward quieter days.
Find out more
©Alfonso Salgueiro
Tour suggestion
Remembering the Second World War
Duration: 2 days
Given Luxembourg’s location and place in history, it is home to many memorial sites with a connection to the dark days of World War II.
Find out more
©Visit Éislek
St. Cunegonde Chapel
The St. Cunegonde Chapel in Heiderscheidergrund, a noteworthy example of 19th-century ecclesiastical historicist architecture in Luxembourg, features a neo-Gothic design, late Gothic sculptures, 18th-century statues, and glass paintings, embodying the country's historical and national consciousness as the oldest Kunigundis shrine.
Find out more
©Ville d'Ettelbruck
Patton Monument Ettelbruck
Discover the Patton Memorial in Ettelbruck, an important place of remembrance. This monument honours General George Patton Jr, whose 3rd US Army liberated Ettelbruck in December 1944, stopping the invasion of the Wehrmacht during the Battle of the Bulge.
Find out more

Take a journey into the past

Schleif Winsler
©Visit Éislek

Rediscovering past heritage in the Éislek

The LEADER project ‘Time Travel’ brings the history of Éislek to life in a special way.

Read all time travel stories