The locomotive of this series was an internal design of the Lübeck-Büchener Eisenbahn (LBE). It was based on the Prussian G 8.2 but had numerous modifications, e.g. it was significantly longer and therefore did not appear as compact. They were primarily intended for heavy freight traffic between Hamburg and Lübeck. Since these locomotives were also to be used in passenger train service, the running gear and brakes were designed for maximum speeds of up to 75 km/h. After the nationalisation of the LBE in 1938, these locomotives came to the Reichsbahn and were re-classified as 56.30.
Our locomotive entered service in 1929 and was taken over by the Reichsbahn in 1938. After the war, it remained in the British zone and was taken out of service by the DB as early as 1950. Until it was finally taken out of service in 1975, it was a company locomotive at various companies, most recently at the Carl Alexander mine in Baesweiler near Aachen. It came to our museum in 1975 and is the only surviving example of this class.
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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.
For better reading, the masculine form is used for personal names and personal nouns on this website. Corresponding terms apply in principle to all genders for the purpose of equal treatment. The abbreviated form of language is for editorial reasons only and does not imply any valuation.
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