Dampflok Erlebniswelt Meiningen

About the museum

Meiningen has been connected to the railway since 1858; in 1914 the repair works was built at the Flutgraben, from which today's steam locomotive works developed. It is considered the last major facility in Western Europe able to completely overhaul and even newly build steam locomotives, and today belongs to DB-Fahrzeuginstandhaltung. The idea of making this tradition accessible year-round arose in 2014 at the works' centenary celebration.

For this purpose, the city of Meiningen converted the works' listed former canteen building, which had been built in 1914 and extended in 1947. After gutting began in 2019 and the foundation stone was laid in October 2021, the project cost about 17.6 million euros, funded in part by urban development funds and the Free State. The Dampflok Erlebniswelt opened in August 2024.

The centerpiece of the permanent exhibition of about 600 square meters is the Prussian T 13 number 92 739, also built in 1914. After years outdoors, it was cut lengthwise into three parts, so that visitors can walk between the cuts all the way into the driver's cab. Media and hands-on stations explain how fire, water, and steam power a locomotive. A photo archive, exhibits from the works, and interviews with contemporary witnesses tell of the connection between the town and the railway; a further 300 square meters are used for temporary exhibitions.

Highlights

• Walk-in steam locomotive cut lengthwise into three parts, with driver's cab
• Media and hands-on stations on steam technology
• Contemporary witness interviews and photo archive on the steam locomotive works
• Located right next to Western Europe's last major steam locomotive works
• Public guided tours three days a week

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung zur Dampflok – On about 600 m², a steam locomotive cut open lengthwise and media stations show how a steam locomotive works and how closely Meiningen is tied to the railway.

Founded

2024

Operated by

Stadt Meiningen

Admission & discounts

Tour prices are in addition to admission. Accompanying teachers and supervisors of holiday program groups have free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Ramp to the main entrance and for the differences in level within the exhibition; wheelchair-accessible restroom in the basement, reached by elevator; one accessible parking space. Assistance and therapy dogs are allowed, other animals are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Hands-on and media stations and a walk-in driver's cab make the technology tangible. Offerings include children's tours, a children's program for ages 4 to 16, and during school holidays a roughly 45-minute program for children's groups aged 6 to 14 (registration by email). The "Bewegte Räder" station is currently out of service.

Getting there & parking

By bicycle from the market via Georgstraße, past the theater, along Leipziger Straße and Templerweg to the street Am Flutgraben.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café in the building, open until 30 minutes before the exhibition closes.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit