Berliner U-Bahn-Museum

About the museum

The Berliner U-Bahn-Museum is located in the former signal box of the Olympia-Stadion U-Bahn (subway) station. The electromechanical lever interlocking went into service in 1931 as the largest installation of its kind in Europe and controlled train movements between the station and the Grunewald depot. When it was replaced by a more modern signal box in 1983, the equipment was actually slated for demolition; thanks to the efforts of a BVG employee, it was preserved as a technical monument.

The museum is run by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Berliner U-Bahn, which began in 1982 as an in-house group dedicated to saving historic vehicles and was established as an association in 1996. A former head of subway operations contributed an extensive collection of retired equipment, vending machines and staff uniforms, and the decommissioned signal box became its exhibition space.

The collection was first shown to the public in September 1997; since then the museum has opened on every second Saturday of the month. Today it comprises more than 300 exhibits on the over 100-year history of the Berlin U-Bahn, including signals, master clock systems, train controllers, station signs and the line signal box of the U9.

The association also looks after the BVG's historic trains and uses them for special rides through the network. Visitors can now also drive a subway train themselves in a simulator using an original driver's console.

Highlights

• 14-meter-long lever frame of the 1931 signal box
• Track diagram panel with more than 1,200 light bulbs
• U9 line signal box (on request)
• Subway simulator with a real driver's console
• Historic station signs, vending machines and staff uniforms

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung im Stellwerk Olympia-Stadion – Six rooms present interlocking and signaling technology, station clocks, vehicle technology, train dispatching and ticket sales from more than 120 years of subway operation.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Berliner U-Bahn e.V.

Admission & discounts

Tickets on site only (sold at the historic ticket window).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access only via a steep staircase of about 30 steps; wheelchairs and strollers can be left downstairs. Not all rooms are threshold-free. Alternatively, a virtual tour on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

For children, a museum rally, Lego subway trains, technical construction kits and other hands-on activities, depending on which volunteers are on site. Access only via a steep staircase of about 30 steps; strollers can be left at the bottom.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers: not available

Souvenir sales in the signal box room (postcards, old tickets, network maps, books). Coat rack, no liability.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit