From the 1960s onwards, parallel to the development of two-way diggers, rail vehicles with mounted excavator superstructures were developed. Due to their top speed of 80 km/h, these were able to quickly change locations between two trains, even on main lines. The type VG 17 was delivered exclusively to the DB. The driver’s cab was located at the opposite end of the vehicle to the digger top. Between the driver’s cab and the upper part of the excavator (Atlas type 1302) there was a side loading tipper, so that a limited amount of material could be carried on the vehicle.
Our vehicle was accepted by the DB in 1978 and was used in the Hanau track construction yard. In the meantime, the car was given the number 97 17 36 009 17-8 and was taken over by the railway construction division, BNB Mitte, Hanau. It came to our museum in 2003.
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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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