After a two-year break, the time had finally come again. On Ascension Day, punctually at 10:00 a.m., the Railway Museum opened its doors for the Bahnwelttage 2022.
After all the staff had been intensively busy with preparations over the past weeks and months, we were looking forward to starting up the vehicles and presenting the progress of our current projects.
There was a lot of activity at the turntable. In addition to the presentation of small vehicles such as the Kö 1002 or the rail tractor, the rides in the railway master trolley were very popular. The driver’s cab rides on the V100 and especially on our steam locomotive ELNA 184 were particularly popular.
From the platform at the wagon works, there was the possibility of a shuttle trip. Hauled by E41, the trips went to the locomotive shed and in the direction of the former marshalling yard. The VT98 rail bus also went there and brought numerous visitors for a guided tour of the functioning of the hump yard.
Those who were not afraid of low heights and dirt could look under a steam locomotive. Using the 97 210, there was an insight into the cogwheel technology that enabled the locomotive to also run on steep tracks.
There was a lot of hustle and bustle in the children’s land. They romped around on the bouncy castle and in the ball pool, while the Klein-Kranichsteiner Kreisbahn (Klein-Kranichstein circular railway) busily made its rounds.
The visit of the model railway friends from Alkmaar, Darmstadt’s twin town, has been a tradition for many years. Their modular model railway layout, which depicts the Dutch landscape along the Hoorn – Medemblik line, delighted many guests.
The physical well-being was also catered for. Lunch was served at the barbecue in the special atmosphere of the engine shed, and in the afternoon there was coffee and cake in the cafeteria. The offer was completed by the ice cream van, which offered cooling in sunny weather.
Whether at the demonstration of the Culemeyer road scooters or the historical model railway, at the blacksmith demonstration or the apprentice signal box – there was also a lot to discover away from the moving attractions. Interested visitors could learn more about the site and the exhibits during guided tours. Photographers found attractive motifs in the train sets and locomotives provided.
Our thanks go to all volunteers and staff, but especially to the visitors, for making the Bahnwelttage a unique experience.
We are already looking forward to the next events!
