Deutsches Gruben- und Feldbahnmuseum
Association-run museum at the former Theresia colliery in Witten-Bommern with around 90 mine and field railway locomotives and the Muttenthalbahn museum railway.
About the museum
The Arbeitsgemeinschaft Muttenthalbahn, founded in 1986, is dedicated to preserving historic rail vehicles from mining and field railway operations. Since 1989 it has used the grounds of the Theresia colliery, which closed in 1892, below Schloss Steinhausen, a colliery from the early days of hard coal mining south of the Ruhr. The listed operating buildings were renovated by the association; after a long period of development, the museum opened in 2002, and since 2022 has borne the name Deutsches Gruben- und Feldbahnmuseum.
The collection includes around 90 locomotives with diesel, electric, and compressed-air drives and about 200 cars, including passenger and mine cars from mining and field railway trolleys. Many vehicles stand on the station tracks, and exhibition rooms explain the development of these railways. On the museum line, the Muttenthalbahn runs between the Nachtigallstraße parking lot and the LWL-Industriemuseum Zeche Nachtigall.
A landslide after heavy rain in July 2021 severely damaged the locomotive shed, vehicles, and track; operations resumed from 2022. The association is planning a new exhibition hall near Zeche Nachtigall so that weather-sensitive exhibits can also be shown. Because of construction work on the grounds, the museum is currently closed, but the railway runs on selected Sundays.
Highlights
- Around 90 locomotives and about 200 cars
- Rides on the Muttenthalbahn to Zeche Nachtigall
- Listed buildings of the Theresia colliery
- Located on the Muttental mining hiking trail
Permanent exhibitions
- Fahrzeugsammlung Gruben- und Feldbahnen – Locomotives, passenger and mine cars, and trolleys on the station tracks and in exhibition rooms on the history of mine and field railways; currently not accessible due to construction work.
- Founded
- 2002
- Operated by
- Arbeitsgemeinschaft Muttenthalbahn e.V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Train ride: children from 6 up to and including 14 years €2. |
|---|---|
| Muttenthalbahn day pass, adult | €5Any number of rides on the day of validity |
| Muttenthalbahn day pass, children (ages 6–14) | €2 |
| Muttenthalbahn day pass, family (2 adults, 1–3 children) | €9 |
A museum visit is generally free, except for announced special events; the ride on the Muttenthalbahn costs extra. Tickets for the excursion boat MS Schwalbe are also valid for the railway. A separate ticket is required for the LWL-Industriemuseum Zeche Nachtigall.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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
Strollers and wheelchairs can be taken on the trains in limited numbers.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Witten-Bommern Bf · 10-min walk
By train to Witten Hbf, then bus 379 toward Bommern to Witten-Bommern Bf (2 stops) and on foot along Nachtigallstraße. On foot from the main station about 25 minutes.
By car
Parking available
Nachtigallstraße parking lot, also for coaches; on running days the train runs from the parking lot to the museum. At the museum itself there are hardly any car spaces and no coach parking.
By car via the A 43, exit Witten-Heven, toward Witten and Bommern; after the Ruhr bridge turn right onto Nachtigallstraße.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Café Theresia (run by volunteers; currently closed due to construction work).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
