Steam Locomotive Festival
Bahnwelt Darmstadt-Kranichstein is organising its traditional Steam Locomotive Festival on 19 and 20 September 2026. Much like the Bahnwelt Days in the spring, visitors can look forward to an extensive programme centred on railways, featuring demonstrations, exhibitions and other attractions.
With a total of three steam locomotives in action, the event certainly lives up to its name: the museum’s own 23 042, the ELNA 184 DEG and the 50 3552 from the Hanau Museum Railway will be demonstrated in turn, and you’ll have the chance to ride along for a short stretch in the driver’s cab!
As part of the event, a brand-new addition to the vehicle collection will also be unveiled for the first time: a Breuer shunting tractor, which Bahnwelt was able to acquire from Italy this year. The vehicle is a licensed production model from the legendary, now defunct Breuer company, which was based in FFM-Höchst.
With the Steam Locomotive Festival, Bahnwelt is also taking part in the Germany-wide ‘Rail Day’, an event at which various companies, associations and museums from the world of railways showcase their work. You can find more information about Rail Day at www.tag-der-schiene.de.
The programme at a glance
The programme is currently still being finalised and will be published in due course.
Information and guided tours on the upcoming new construction of the ICE stabling facility in the immediate vicinity of the museum site. We provide information on the construction project of DB-Fernverkehr, which will be built on the railway site of the marshalling yard in coordination with the monument protection authorities, using overview plans.
The mechanical training signal box demonstrates control and safety processes using two original mechanical signal boxes, simulating operation on a model railway. The model replica of Darmstadt’s former main railway station from 1846 is shown in operation on a large layout. In and around the historic roundhouse, forging work will be demonstrated and a historic wheelset lathe will be on show. The superstructure collection shows the technical development of the railway system and in the extensive uniform exhibition the work clothing and equipment of railway workers from the imperial era to the end of the German Federal Railways can be comprehensively traced.
As a special treat, you can test your strength with rail sawing!
This year, the Model Spoorclub Alkmaar from Darmstadt’s twin town of Alkmaar in the Netherlands will be attending the Steam Locomotive Festival for the first time with a model railway. They have been attending the Railway World Days in the spring regularly for 20 years now.
The club’s own model-making group is also exhibiting several layouts at its model railway show. These include a replica of the Kranichstein marshalling yard – currently under construction – and a demonstration of how it works.
The Tram Museum at 16 Marburger Straße is also open. Come and see exhibits covering over 130 years of Darmstadt’s local transport history.
The “Klein – Kranichsteiner – Kreisbahn” also offers children the opportunity to ride on its carriages behind real steam and electric locomotives. It is operated on a 12.5 cm gauge by the museum’s young railway workers. Finally, a large bouncy castle in the shape of a steam locomotive rounds off the children’s programme.
A souvenir stand offers antiquarian books, magazines and railway items (including lamps and signs).
There will be coffee, cakes and cold drinks for your physical well-being. A barbecue stand is set up in the engine shed and tables and benches invite you to take a break. Numerous station benches set up in the outdoor area invite you to watch and linger.
Opening hours
| Sat., 19/09/2026 | 10.00 – 18.00 |
| Sun., 20/09/2026 | 10.00 – 18.00 |
Admission fee
| Adults | € 10,00 |
| Children (4-14 y.) | € 5,00 |
| Families (2 ad. + max. 3 children) | € 25,00 |
Subject to change without notice.
Fares hist. Shuttle train to Darmstadt main station (one way)
| Adults | 4,00 € |
| Children (4-14 yrs.) | 2,00 € |
| Familien (2 ad. + max. 3 children) | 10,00 € |
Tickets can be purchased on the train for the one-way journey. If you are travelling by shuttle train from Darmstadt main station, you can also buy your admission ticket for the museum visit on the train.
Time table
| Railway museum from | 10:00 | 11:30 | 14:00 | 16:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darmstadt main station from | 10:45 | 12:00 | 14:45 | 16:45 |
