Thüringerwaldbahn und Straßenbahn Gotha

Operational

City: Gotha (Germany).
Total route length: 26.4 km (16.4 miles).

Track gauge: 1000 mm (metre gauge).
Opened: May 3, 1894.
Closed: February 6, 1945 because of World War II.
Reopened: September 16, 1945.

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Trams and light rails in Germany

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Tram lines in operation

Gotha tram line 1: Hauptbahnhof - Kreiskrankenhaus
Operational

Gotha tram line 2: Hauptbahnhof - Ostbahnhof
Operational

Gotha extra line 3
Operational

Gotha regional line 4 Thüringerwaldbahn: Hauptbahnhof - Tabarz
Operational

Gotha regional line 6: Waltershausen Gleisdreieck - Waltershausen Bahnhof
Operational

Thüringerwaldbahn und Straßenbahn Gotha stops

Bahnhofstraße, Friedrichroda, Hauptbahnhof, Hersdorfplatz, Huttenstraße, Kreiskrankenhaus, Orangerie, Ostbahnhof, Tabarz, Waltershausen Bahnhof, and Waltershausen Gleisdreieck.

Thüringerwaldbahn und Straßenbahn Gotha route map

View the route map in high resolution. See the official route map.

Current trams in operation

Articulated tram: 111, 215, 221, 301, 303, 306, 307, 311, 316, 521.

Freight car: 101.

Museum tram: 23, 39, 47, 56, 82, 93, 101, 215.

Open freight car: 124.

Railcar: 39, 47, 56.

Sidecar: 82, 93.

Baselland Transport (BLT)
Operational

Articulated tram: 221.

Erfurter Verkehrsbetriebe (EVAG)
Operational

Articulated tram: 538, 548.

Geraer Verkehrsbetrieb (GVB)
Operational

Articulated tram: 111.

Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr in Ludwigshafen (RNV)
Operational

Articulated tram: 144.

Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr in Mannheim (RNV)
Operational

Articulated tram: 432, 521.

Verkehrsbetriebe Nordhausen
Operational

Museum tram: 23.

Railcar: 23.

Former trams in operation

Articulated tram: 201, 202, 206, 207, 209, 211, 212, 215, 216, 301, 302, 303, 306, 310, 320, 395, 408, 412, 443, 518.

Freight car: 101.

Museum tram: 29, 39, 47, 56, 82, 93, 101, 215.

Railcar: 4, 6, 006, 7, 13, 36, 39, 45, 47, 52, 56.

Sidecar: 71, 73, 82, 93.

Eisenacher Straßenbahn
Closed

Railcar: 42, 44.

Erfurter Verkehrsbetriebe (EVAG)
Operational

Articulated tram: 518, 540.

Museum tram: 92, 178, 274.

Railcar: 92.

Freizeitzentrum "Gleis3Eck"
Open regularly

Articulated tram: 412.

Geraer Verkehrsbetrieb (GVB)
Operational

Museum tram: 29.

Railcar: 29.

Naumburger Touristenbahn (NTB)
Operational

Articulated tram: 202.

Railcar: 33.

Plauener Straßenbahn (PSB)
Operational

Railcar: 25.

Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr in Heidelberg (RNV)
Operational

Articulated tram: 302, 320.

Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr in Mannheim (RNV)
Operational

Articulated tram: 395, 408, 412, 443.

Stadtverkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt (Oder) (SVF)
Operational

Railcar: 28.

Straßenbahnmuseum Chemnitz
Open regularly

Railcar: 802.

Operation times

See the official operation times.

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Photos from Thüringerwaldbahn und Straßenbahn Gotha

Postcard: Gotha tram line 1 with articulated tram 202 on Hauptmarkt (1967)Above: Brühl/Lower Main Market Square in July 1967 Gotha articulated car 202 (built in 1965, type G4) Below: Lower Main Market Square in July 1967 Gotha articulated car 207 (built in 1965, type G4) www.waldbahn-gotha.deBy Henrik Boye, Thüringerwaldbahn und Straßenbahn Gotha - July 1967.

Sticker: Gotha railcar 6 (1994)100 years ago in Gotha -May 2, 1894- Opening of the electric tram serviceBy Henrik Boye, Thüringerwaldbahn und Straßenbahn Gotha - May 2, 1994.

13:37

New Škoda tram tested in Gotha (2023)The Thüringer Waldbahn und Straßenbahn GmbH Gotha (TWSB) is currently testing a brand-new Škoda tram. Starting in 2025, TWSB will gradually add new vehicles; therefore, they are now seeking suitable models for their fleet. The Škoda tram is intended for Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH Mannheim and was shipped directly from the factory in Pilsen to Gotha. On September 20, 2023, interested visitors had the chance to ride the forest railway line between Gotha and Bad Tabarz free of charge. 00:00 Leaving the hall 00:28 Interview with Klaus Rennau, TWSB Gotha 01:34 Collaboration between TWSB and RNV 02:07 Information on the selection process for new vehicles 03:41 Is everything in Gotha suitable for the Škoda tram? 04:30 Some technical information 06:16 Advantages of the bidirectional railway 07:00 How did the Škoda tram arrive in Gotha? 08:48 Plans for purchasing new vehicles for TWSB 09:55 Information on costs 10:53 Interview with tram driver Marlon Meyer, RNV Mannheim 12:54 And now, we’re heading off on the route! September 20th is World Children's Day, and today we are at the Thuringian Forest Railway and Tramway GmbH in Gotha, where we have once again arranged to meet Mr. Rennerau, as he has something special to share. Currently, a new tram has been running for about a week, having just arrived from the factory in Pilsen. This tram will, of course, stay here for a few more days. How did this whole story come about? It marks the first step toward the future of the Forest Railway, which aims to acquire new vehicles for its fleet in the years to come. Yes, Aschenbren, for the first time in all these years, we have managed to include the procurement of new vehicles in the local transport plan, and we are currently in the prequalification phase. We are examining the market to see which manufacturers offer what vehicles. Our colleagues at Rhein Neckerverkehre are in the middle of their procurement process, which means they have ultimately chosen the vehicle behind us, based on the tender, as the most suitable for their needs. In the past, we have repeatedly used vehicles from R. Necker, specifically the Mannheimers, to increase the number of low-floor vehicles in the area. At some point, we decided to test the newly designed RNV vehicle on the Goar route network. It was a somewhat impulsive idea to suggest relocating the car from the Pilsen delivery site, where it is assembled, to the pit stop before it heads to Mannheim. We then put this plan into action, and you can see the results behind us. The reason for this vehicle test is straightforward. We naturally want to save time during the prequalification process, which allows for thorough calculations. However, in practice, there are often one or two things you can't predict. This is why banks conduct stress tests. Here, we are conducting a stress test for two purposes: first, to assess the vehicle's equipment—how do passengers receive it? We’re observing that today. Second, how the vehicle functions within our infrastructure, and what we need to adapt if necessary. If you look at social media, you’ll see reactions that might have surprised some—they range from many people speaking out positively about the new railway, to discussions about how the Thuringian Forest Railway and tram are losing some of their unique charm with the old railway lines. The numbers may vary, but logically, we have to provide better transportation options for both passengers and drivers. The primary concerns are passenger comfort, which affects not only the driver but also everyone on board. Lastly, we need to upgrade to standard technology and adhere to new standards and regulations. Our current vehicles are over 30 years old, and the supply of spare parts is limited. As the saying goes, if I fit my grandma with a new pacemaker, her heart might still work a little better, but that doesn't mean she'll run a marathon—other parts are worn out. Regarding the new track, a press release mentioned that it is slightly wider, measuring 2.40 meters in width. You’ve already conducted some test runs. Does the vehicle pass smoothly through all areas? You can see from the decorative panel on the wheel arches that new stops have been added to the route network, designed to accommodate both rail and bus services. Currently, we have five old stops remaining that need to be converted to meet new standards and enable the use of low-floor vehicles. The stops have to be upgraded regardless, so we will handle that. Apart from that, the entire network appears to be functioning well, and the vehicles are running smoothly across it. Now, about the track—how big, heavy, and costly is it? To start with the basics, the vehicle is 30.5 meters long. We are working with what’s called a drum train. Our colleagues at DERV don’t just operate trams but also trains, which means for the experts, they drive to BUSTRAPP and ESBO. For us, we only need the BUSTRAPP, which makes us a street vehicle.By Oscar am Freitag-TV - September 20, 2023.

Gotha regional line 4 Thüringerwaldbahn with articulated tram 395 at Hauptbahnhof (1998)By Henrik Boye.
July 24, 1998.

Gotha regional line 6 with articulated tram 316 at Waltershausen Bahnhof (2014)By Henrik Boye.
July 14, 2014.

8:30

Gotha tram // Line 6 in KT4D-ZR (2012)Line 6 of the Gotha tram runs from the central transfer station "Gleisdreieck" to Waltershausen station. Tatra KT4D trams are used on this short line, which also have a full driver's cab at the rear of the vehicle. In addition to this special feature, there are only doors for boarding and alighting on one side. Passengers therefore always change from the same platform in both directions of the line.By metr0p0Iitain - July 7, 2012.

Postcard: Gotha museum tram 56 on Bahnhofstraße (2010)By Henrik Boye, Thüringerwaldbahn und Straßenbahn Gotha.
2010.

16:36

Documentary Thuringian Forest Railway and Gotha Tram - Part 2 (2020)Welcome to the second part of our guide about the street bank robber and the Thuringian Forest. Today, we focus on routes of lines 1, 4, and 6 toward Tabarz and Waltershausen. We hope you enjoy our journey. We will stop again because lines 1 and 4 here share their first stops with the route of line 2, which we already covered in part 1. We will take you directly to the Rote Straße stop, where the routes split. At this stop, you can easily reach the mothers' center in Macht as well as the Margarethenkirche. While the vehicles on line 2 go straight ahead, those on lines 1 and 4 turn left into Gartenstraße. Later in the evening, we will follow this route ourselves, starting from the middle of Main Street. We will circle the Gotha center, then reach the Gartenstraße and Bertha von Suttner Platz stops. After Miconos Platz, we cross Waltershäuser Straße and pass stops 18 at Bergstraße and Ernst Straße near the local Wagenhalle, which is the depot of TBS B. Further toward Sunthausen, the line runs single-track through Schöne Aussicht and Inselberg Straße to Sunthausen. This district has a village-like atmosphere, with small single-family houses along Sunthausen Weg. At the Gleisdreieck junction, lines 1 and 4 split toward the hospital loop. Then they continue on the interurban route toward Boxberg. The stop at the district hospital is the terminus. The Streifen is the newest part of the Gotha tramway. From here, line 4 reaches the interurban section toward Boxberg and Werdershausen. At Boxberg, there's another turning loop. The journey continues along the interurban route to Leine. In Mauthausen’s urban area, we arrive at the small Obershausen stop. Welcome to the Gleisdreieck. What does it mean here? The city is connected to Sondershausen by six lines. Each side has an ascent, making all travel directions possible. Here, it’s daytime. Earn six is coordinated with the four routes, allowing seamless transfers. We want to take a quick detour with line 6 to Mauthausen. Tram line 6 mostly runs along Goethestrasse, passing through Northstop for Goethestrasse and Albrechtstrasse. My house was near the city train station. The South Thuringia Railway connected Fröttstädt to Friedrichroda. In the past, the Waltershausen station’s turning loop was still in use. Today, the line 6 traffic is handled in two directions at the square. Below, it still doesn’t feel like another country—judge and relatives at the Körpers station are back at Waltershäuser. At Gleisdreieck, we continue by line 4 toward Bad Tölz to Das Haus Schnipsen. From Schnitzen, the Thuringian Forest Railway runs parallel to the South Thuringian Railway to Fröttstädt, passing through stops 100 ICE to Friedrich or Reinartz station. Besides Waltershausen with 10,000 residents, Friedrichroda with about 700 inhabitants is the third largest town along the Thuringian Forest Railway. It’s recognized as a health resort. The charming buildings create a beautiful setting in the heart of the Thuringian Forest. The journey on line 4 ends soon. It passes Marin Glashülle and reaches its final stop in Bad Tölz. The Thuringian Forest Railway has now arrived at its destination, Bad Tölz. This town, with a population of 5,000, lies below Großes Insel Berg. The train begins its return. If you haven’t visited yet, you should go to Gottéron, a peaceful little town in the Thuringian Forest accessible by country roads. The scenic trip through the forest and neighboring Gotha is a must for every tram enthusiast, mainly because of the historic carriages. This concludes our documentation. Thank you for watching and listening. Have a great day, and see you next time here on the regional association channel.By Regionalzugverband - July 18, 2020.

14:43

Santa Claus in the Waldbahn-Wunderland (2021)Santa Claus faces a tough night: first, his sleigh breaks down, then his reindeer have to be quarantined... and all of this happens on Christmas Day! A terrible Christmas, right? In his desperation, he rents a small van and heads for Gotha. But the trip ends suddenly at Boxberg: see what happens next and find out which surprising helpers come to his rescue! Well, I set off from heaven about an hour ago. Oh, now I'm in Gota. Yes, the car is full of people, but I forgot something. I don't know what it is. Oh, it's an issue—reindeer are in quarantine. I didn't like that anyway. Now, here with this strange driving—I don't like it at all. Oops, what’s that? Oh, you fat dancer, what's that now? What’s that supposed to mean? Isn’t that also, my God. Oh, stop first, stop first, and get some fresh air. No, such crap. What’s that? That doesn't work. That’s not good. That’s not good at all. Oh God, oh God, oh God. Are we going to do something now? What do I do now? Call the fire brigade—call the fire brigade. Oh no, call the fire brigade first. ADAC, that's better. We—hello, yes, hello, I'm Santa Claus. Yes, it really is me. No, this is no joke. My car is smoking, and I have to go to G, completely drunk. Can they tow me somehow? Please help me, I'm here. Yes, where am I? I drove over a mountain—I think it's called Boxberg—and now I'm standing where the forest railway runs. Yes, please come quickly; I'm in a hurry. Okay, and now what do we do? Now we need to get something repaired. Okay, now this guy from ADAC called—now he's also broken down. What is that today? I should have driven with racing shoes. God, God, God. Yes, yes, I saw the tram to Boxberg. Did I say it right? It's the wrong direction—or yes, I don't want to go there. I don't have to look here either, and where are the others? Oh, now I don't have my reading glasses with me. What’s that smoke from earlier? Terrible. Look fifty times—it takes ages. There’s a train there. It says SOS SOS SOS SOS—great. Great master, you have such great roads, man. However, you're driving in the wrong direction. You're driving TS. Yes, I'm still driving too. Do you see who I am? Oh, I'm foolish. The reindeer are in quarantine, and the sleigh didn't get out of the TÜV inspection station in time. Back then, I took a rental car, and there it is—oh dear—from heaven. I had driven almost a hundred kilometers so far, and then it was rough. Then there was peace with the car. Now I'm standing here with piles of presents. The children are waiting for me. Now I've checked the timetable—really, when does the next train back go? Oh, that'll take a while. It’ll take another two hours. But I don't think so—that's not possible. That’s not possible. I think we'll make an exception for the children. I think we can manage something. It'll work as if we flip the switch now. We'll drive back quickly and take you to G F, so to speak—not on scheduled service now, as the saying goes. I’d make an exception and drive with you to Guta so the children get their presents in time. GL—that's how we'll do it. Now, please tell me your name. I'm Klaus. You’re Klaus. Klaus, if you're here now and said you want to flip the switch, can we drive back like that? Is that okay? No, that's not possible. However, we're entering the loop now, and then we can deliver your presents, invite you, and you can call somewhere from there. I'll tell the control center that we'll make an exception. I'm so excited—that's never happened to me before—something like this with the car. Oh no, I'll never do that again. Do you always have to do it by hand? Today we'll do it by hand. Okay, then you drive to where the car is parked, right? I'll come to the car, then I'll walk over there. All right. My God, sometimes even Santa Claus gets lucky in life. I think that's great. Well, let's see what was in here. So everything was in here—I think I remember. It’s not that bad. We can easily fit it into the tram. Oh, it's a nice, big tram. I rode the tram for a long time. I just noticed. Okay, SIM salabim isn't working. Aha. Oh, Klaus, you even brought a colleague with you. Look—I have another colleague who is helping you. You found him now while we were looking in the tram. So, yes. What’s the best way to do that? Oh, best we pack everything in, guys. We’ll now pack everything in, and I'll sort it out later on the journey to Gota, as I have two appointments and want to attend the first one straight away. Look out, dear Santa Claus, you're already getting on the train, and my colleague and I are loading the packages. That's a great idea. I have icy hands from all the packing, then you'd need mountain climbing skills—not to step on your coat—to climb in here. Ah, shit, so very nice. Thank you. No, no, not, not—be careful. There’s very delicate glass in there, too. Thank you. And here come the next presents—so many presents—all for you.By Oscar am Freitag-TV - December 24, 2021.

10:40

Thüringerwaldbahn (2018)A little tram and the Thuringian Forest Railway in Gotha Track recording along the Thuringian Forest Railway / Gotha tram The Gotha tram runs almost exclusively with old vehicles. 3 Düwag GT8N and the 19 Kt4D, some of which have been modernized, are in operation. I can only recommend this service to tram fans!By Tatra477 & Tram-MD - May 8, 2018.

See all photos from Thüringerwaldbahn und Straßenbahn Gotha.

Last updated: July 6, 2026.