Kranichsteiner Bahnwelttage
Bahnwelt Darmstadt-Kranichstein is organising the traditional Bahnwelttage on Ascension Day and the following weekend, 29, 31 May and 1 June 2025. This is the biggest event of the year with an extensive programme of railway-related activities including shuttle rides, demonstrations, exhibitions and other attractions. After a technical break of one year due to renovations and extensive preparations for conversion work, the event is now back on track:
The program at a glance
Take the train to the festival! Enjoy a relaxed journey from Darmstadt main station to the railway museum without having to worry about parking on the historic shuttle train with alternating locomotives and passenger carriages from the 1930s. Of course, it is also possible to take a trip from the railway museum to the main station and back.
(Tickets available on the train, see below for timetable and fares).
Steam, diesel and electric locomotives and small vehicles are on display in the museum grounds and it is also possible to take a ride in the driver’s cabs. Different vehicles are presented around the turntable. A special event is the first presentation of the T 1005 steam locomotive on the turntable of the roundhouse.
The construction of the new ICE stabling facility in the neighbourhood of the museum site will accompany the museum’s special events over the next two years. The association provides information about the upcoming construction of the new ICE stabling facility by DB-Fernverkehr, which will be built on the railway yard site in coordination with the monument protection authorities.
The heavy load group shows how freight wagons are transferred from rail to road transporters using the “Culemeyer” system. The mechanical training signal box has undergone a major overhaul and extension and now shows additional possibilities for transferring original signal box technology and its functions to a model railway in a way that is easy to understand and conveys the train control processes. The model replica of Darmstadt’s former main railway station from 1846 is shown in operation on a large layout and forging work is demonstrated in the historic roundhouse. The permanent way collection shows the technical development of the railway system and in the extensive uniform exhibition, the work clothing and equipment of railway workers from the imperial era to the end of the German Federal Railway can be extensively traced.
The tram museum of the HEAG Historical Vehicles Working Group at Marburger Straße 16 is also open. You can get there comfortably from the railway museum with a historic shuttle bus service from Gate 3 of the railway museum.
Since 2006, railway modellers from Darmstadt’s twin city Alkmaar in the Netherlands have been coming to the Kranichstein Railway World Days at their own expense with a model railway. The Model Spoorclub Alkmaar has several model railways based on the history of the steam tramway. This year they are bringing along their model railway ‘Het Zijperspoor’ to tell the story of this now disused tram line. The modellers from Alkmaar have recreated the situation around 1947 in detail and truthfully, using the original construction drawings and old photos of the buildings, bridges, dikes, canals and the surrounding landscape. Their beautiful model railway of over 15 metres is therefore more than worth a visit during the Bahnwelttage!
The “Klein – Kranichsteiner – Kreisbahn ” also offers children the opportunity to ride on its carriages behind real steam and electric locomotives. It is operated on a 12.5 cm gauge by the museum’s young railwaymen. Finally, a large bouncy castle in the shape of a steam locomotive rounds off the children’s programme.
A souvenir stand offers antiquarian books, magazines and railway items (including lamps and signs).
Coffee, cakes and cold drinks will be available for your physical well-being. A barbecue stand is set up in the engine shed and tables and benches invite you to take a break. Numerous station benches set up in the outdoor area invite you to watch and linger.
Opening hours
| Thu., 29/05/2025: | 10.00 – 18.00 |
| Fri., 30/05/2025: | closed |
| Sat., 31/05/2025: | 10.00 – 18.00 |
| So., 01.06.2025: | 10.00 – 18.00 Uhr |
Admission fee
| Adults | 10,00 € |
| Children (4-14 y.) | 5,00 € |
| Families (3 adults + max. 3 children) | 25,00 € |
Included in the admission fee: Admission to the railway museum and the tram museum in Marburger Straße including historical bus shuttle service from gate 3 of the railway museum every hour on the hour.
Fares hist. Shuttle train to Darmstadt main station (one way)
| Adults | 4,00 € |
| Children (4-14 y.) | 2,00 € |
| Families (3 adults + max. 3 children) | 10,00 € |
Tickets can be purchased on the train for the one-way journey. If you are travelling by shuttle train from Darmstadt main station, you can also buy your admission ticket for the museum visit on the train.
Time table
| Eisenbahnmuseum dep. | 10:00 | 11:30 | 14:00 | 16:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darmstadt Hbf dep. | 10:45 | 12:00 | 14:45 | 16:45 |
