Although the first prototypes had already been built in 1926, this series was not procured on a larger scale from 1937 onwards. At that time, the most important railway lines had been upgraded so that such a heavy machine could run on them.
From 1942 onwards, locomotives were procured in simplified form (44ÜK), omitting, among other things, the wind deflectors and the front cab side window.
Our locomotive was put into service in Göttingen in 1941 and came into the French zone after the war. In 1968 the locomotive was renumbered 044 404-2. In 1975 a back-pressure brake type Riggenbach was installed. This is a braking system which, through a combination of several measures, brakes the locomotive by compressing air in the drive cylinders, similar to the engine brake on a car. Just 2 years after installation, the locomotive was taken out of service in Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck. Shortly afterwards it became an exhibit in our museum.
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Hop on the steam train, hauled by 23 042, at Darmstadt or Bensheim, and experience the German Grape Harvest Festival with Palatinate wine, local specialities and live music. Alternatively, railway enthusiasts can take the iconic ‘Kuckucksbähnel’ and the ‘Sissi’ steam locomotive through the idyllic Elmstein Valley – a special outing for connoisseurs and lovers of railway nostalgia!
On 7 and 8 November 2026, take a historic steam train from Darmstadt Central Station to the Dieburg St Martin’s Market!
The St Martin’s Market awaits you with the season’s first mulled wine and a wide range of other culinary and craft delights. The special train runs three times a day, there and back.
On the 3rd Sunday of Advent, 13 December 2026: Special steam train journey to the Heidelberg Christmas markets!
From Darmstadt or Bensheim, we’ll take you to the enchanting Christmas markets in the various squares along the Hauptstraße, with views of the illuminated Heidelberg Castle.
Mit unserem Jubiläumskalender feiern wir 50 Jahre Eisenbahnmuseum Darmstadt-Kranichstein – eines der bedeutendsten Eisenbahnmuseen Deutschlands. Die zwölf eindrucksvollen Motive zeigen dabei verschiedene Exponate im Kontext unvergesslicher historischer Meilensteine aus fünf Jahrzehnten gelebter Eisenbahnkultur.
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