The term “railway” refers first of all to an “iron road”, i.e. the fixed installation that first gives locomotives and wagons their path. This “iron road” is referred to by railwaymen as the “superstructure” and includes rails, sleepers and gravel. The railway embankment is then consequently referred to as the “substructure”. The fact that the superstructure, with 21 – 25% of the railways’ fixed assets, outweighs the rolling stock – 20% at most – is in stark contrast to its shadowy existence in the public perception. This is why our museum also presents the historical development of the superstructure, its components and the associated working environment.

On about 60 square metres, a tour leads through the most diverse aspects of the subject and explains, largely on the basis of original parts, dead ends and successful superstructure designs. To ensure that the material is not too boring, there is the opportunity to try out one or two things for yourself and then rest a while on a “Royal Bavarian Sleeper Stone” from 1856.