"Television series 'Railroad Romance' has been terminated"

The popular German television show, "Eisenbahn-Romantik", is set to conclude its production at the end of 2025, marking the end of an era for train enthusiasts. The show, which has been running since 1991, has produced over 1,000 episodes and gained a large following in the 90s.

The series, which airs on SWR (Südwestrundfunk) and other ARD programs, as well as on Arte, features films and reports about steam locomotives and historical railways in Germany and around the world. Some of the most popular episodes include "The leisurely train from Abreschviller", "In the economy class through Cambodia", and "The Sauschwänzlebahn - strategy on rails".

Despite the upcoming conclusion of production, the SWR has confirmed the production of new episodes, with some still in production for release in 2026. However, after these new episodes, the production team will be dissolved, and no new episodes will be made.

Hagen von Ortloff, considered the inventor of "Eisenbahn-Romantik", has been the only moderator of the show for many years. In a recently published YouTube video, he appealed to the SWR to keep the editorial team of "Eisenbahn-Romantik" intact.

The show's theme music, "Sentimental Journey" by Les Brown, can be heard at the beginning and end of each episode. Images of the vintage narrow-gauge locomotive of the Museumsbahn Ochsenhausen-Warthausen in Upper Swabia are shown at the start of episodes.

Episodes of the show have been available on YouTube and in the ARD media library for several years, allowing fans to revisit their favourite episodes and discover new ones. The show's films about trains and railway tracks quickly became a hit series, attracting a dedicated following.

A SWR spokeswoman confirmed that the editorial team will be dissolved at the end of the year and no new episodes will be produced in the future. The SWR has not confirmed any changes to the format or theme of the new episodes, leaving fans eager to see how the show will conclude.

As the production of "Eisenbahn-Romantik" comes to an end, it leaves a void in the hearts of many train enthusiasts. However, the legacy of the show will live on through its vast library of episodes, providing inspiration for future generations to explore the beauty and history of railways.