Eisenbahn- und Heimatmuseum Erkrath-Hochdahl e.V.

About the museum

The museum is housed in a locomotive shed from the era of private railways, when trains of the Bergisch-Märkische Eisenbahn (1843–1886) still ran here. The Düsseldorf–Elberfeld line was the first railway in western Germany; the section up to Erkrath opened on December 20, 1838. Between Erkrath and Hochdahl the tracks overcome about 82 meters of elevation over roughly 2,500 meters. Until 1926 a cable-haulage system did this; until 1963 pilot and pusher locomotives helped steam trains, after which electric locomotives managed alone.

The idea for the museum arose in 1988, when S-Bahn line 8 opened and the first railway line in western Germany turned 150 years old. The association was founded on September 5, 1991; in 1993 Gottfried Bander acquired the locomotive shed grounds from the Deutsche Bundesbahn. After extensive renovation, with a new roof structure and gates from a demolished locomotive shed in Langenberg, the shed was first shown to the public on September 13, 1997, and the museum opened on May 24, 1999.

Today the museum features a historic ticket office with the original counter from Erkrath station, operable signals in the "Schottereck", and vehicles on the outdoor site at a historic platform hall. The locomotive shed also serves as a venue for art exhibitions, concerts, markets and model railway days.

Highlights

• Historic ticket office with the original counter from Erkrath station
• Operable signal technology in the "Schottereck"
• Vehicle display outdoors at a historic platform hall
• Model of steam locomotive control and large model railway locomotive of class 01
• History of the Erkrath–Hochdahl cable-hauled incline

Permanent exhibitions

• Erste Eisenbahn in Westdeutschland – The exhibition tells the history of the Düsseldorf–Elberfeld line with its cable-hauled incline, supplemented by the historic ticket office and operable signals.
• Fahrzeugausstellung im Außengelände – Locomotives and cars stand at a historic platform hall on the museum grounds – railway you can touch.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Eisenbahn- und Heimatmuseum Erkrath-Hochdahl e.V. (EHEH)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free on museum days. Separate prices apply to events, e.g. model railway days €2, young people aged 14 to 18 €1, children under 14 free.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Children's playground on the grounds; signal technology and the historic ticket office to try out; at the model railway days, crafts with children.

Getting there & parking

By car via the Hilden interchange (A 3/A 46), exit Hilden, then towards Erkrath/Mettmann via Bergische Allee, Schimmelbuschstraße and Hildener Straße to the end of Ziegeleiweg; the museum lies directly next to the railway tracks.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Train café on the historic platform (on museum days, not always open); restaurant with beer garden on the grounds; railway shop with books, magazines and collectors' items in support of museum operations.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Rental for private celebrations, company events and own exhibitions via Hopmann’s Olive (tel. 02104 803632, info@hopmannsolive.de).

Plan your visit