The standard railcars were developed in the 1930s by the Deutsche Reichsbahn for passenger transport on branch lines. The use of these railcars in larger numbers was prevented by the Second World War and the reorientation to four-axle railcars.
Our railcar was put into service by the Reichsbahn as 135 071 in 1937. In 1948 the railcar was taken over by the DB as VT70 921 and was taken out of service in 1960. Afterwards it came to the lokal railway Lam-Kötzting (VT03), in 1973 to the Regental railway (VT08 and from 1977 VT18). In 1978 it was also taken out of service there and was sold to the Eisenbahnkurier in 1986, from where it came to our museum in 1989.
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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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