Cancellation of the television series "Railroad Romance" cult favorite.
The popular documentary series "Eisenbahn-Romantik," which has been airing on SWR since 1991, is set to conclude at the end of this year. The show, initially intended as a filler in the SWR program, has become a hit series, surprising its creators and gaining a large following.
Hagen von Ortloff, who presented the show for many years, is considered the inventor of "Eisenbahn-Romantik." He remained the only host of the series, leading viewers on a journey through the world of steam locomotives and historical railways.
Each episode of "Eisenbahn-Romantik" opens with images of the Museumsbahn Ochsenhausen-Warthausen's vintage narrow-gauge locomotive, setting the stage for the adventure that follows. The series features films and documentaries about these fascinating modes of transport, not just in Germany, but around the world.
One of the series' most memorable moments is its theme tune, the jazz piece "Sentimental Journey" by Les Brown. This catchy melody has become synonymous with the show and adds a touch of nostalgia to each episode.
In recent years, "Eisenbahn-Romantik" has been made available on YouTube and in the ARD media library, expanding its reach and allowing a new generation of viewers to discover the charm of steam trains. It has also been broadcast on other third programs of ARD and Arte.
In a recently published YouTube video, von Ortloff appealed to the SWR to keep the editorial team of "Eisenbahn-Romantik" intact. However, due to budget cuts and restructuring at the broadcaster, the production team is set to be dissolved by the end of 2025.
Despite this, new episodes for the show are still in production and are scheduled to air in 2026. The SWR, the producer of these new episodes, has confirmed that they will be the last. Episodes like "The Pleasure Train from Abreschviller," "In the Economy Class through Cambodia," and "The Sauschwänzlebahn - Strategy on Rails" are among those that will be produced before the series comes to an end.
As we say goodbye to "Eisenbahn-Romantik," we remember the joy and fascination it brought to millions of viewers over the past three decades. The show will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on rail enthusiasts and will continue to inspire future generations to explore the world of steam trains.
