First tram… then train

In 1886, Heiligendamm was a logical destination for a tramway. Then – as now again – a rather exclusive spot, Germany’s first seaside resort was around four miles from the railway in the town known then simply as ‘Doberan’.

Things changed with the 5½-mile extension to what was then named Arendsee (now Ostseebad Kühlungsborn West) in 1910. That brought new locomotives, though side skirts were kept for another decade. In many ways though, today’s railway is more reflective of the 1930s – that was when the ‘O&K’ engines arrived, and Heiligendamm received a new station building in 1938 at a time when the resort was popular with prominent Nazis.

During the East German years Heiligendamm was turned over to workers and this, together with restrictions on overseas travel for the country’s citizens, helped a Baltic coast tourist boom.

Although perhaps not as lodged in the German consciousness as the island of Rügen further east (SR488), this is still a popular area with holidaymakers. Apart from the seaside, other attractions include things such as Stone Age graves near Rerik and the extraordinary brick-built 13th-century Minster at Bad Doberan.

Today’s ‘Molli’ maintains a two-train service for much of the year. During term times, the first weekday train from Kühlungsborn West is at 6.40am, but a roughly hourly timetable is maintained for a large part of the day from 8.30am. Trains cross at Heiligendamm. From late October/ early November the line drops to one engine in steam, with the gaps filled by a bus service.

Where next? There’s little doubt the railway has a secure future – there’s even been talk of further westward expansion along the coast. That might never happen, but residents of Bad Doberan’s Mollistrasse should need to keep their front windows shut for as long as can be foreseen… and hurrah for that.

More details: Mecklenburgische Bäderbahn Molli GmbH, telephone +49 38293 431331. Website: