Museum Railways
Switzerland is a railway country. There are numerous museum railways that are operated by clubs and enthusiasts during the summer months. Even without its own railway station, Benken is an almost ideal centre for railway enthusiasts.
The customs house Blumberg, starting point of the famous "Sauschwänzle-Bahn", can be reached by car in about 30 minutes. On many days nostalgic steam trains cross a multitude of bridges and through several helical tunnels through the Black Forest to Weizen. You can get back either by the next train or on a leisurely walk.
It takes less than 20 kilometres, just 20 minutes by car, from Benken to Etzwilen railway station.
This is - on selected dates - the starting point for the Museum Railway Etzwilen - Singen. Between Ramsen and Hemishofen you can travel on Sundays and holidays even by own muscle power on a Rail Bike, a so-called "Draisine".
If you prefer to ride the Steam Train from Bauma to Hinwil, the route takes you to the beautiful Tösstal valley which you reach in about an hour by car. The historic trains run 6 times a day on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month between May and September with original cars from around 1900.
In Neuhausen near the rhine falls (15 minutes by car), Smilestone, a large inhouse miniature trainworld is under construction. Since November 24, 2018, the first section with 80 trains on over 1000 meters of rails, 400 automobiles and 350 builidngs and bridges is open to the public. A Youtube-Clip gives a first impression.
