Eisenbahnmuseum im Wasserturm Bebra

About the museum

The water tower of 1910 is Bebra's landmark and the city's third and last water tower. Its 500-cubic-meter steel sphere bearing the town name supplied the station's buildings and water cranes via Fulda water and gravity; the station had its own network for water, electricity and heat.

After decommissioning in 1984, the town of Bebra took over the building and had it extensively renovated; on June 4, 1988, the tower was presented to the public. The Eisenbahnfreunde Bebra e. V. set up a railway museum there, focusing on signaling and telecommunications technology: a historic ticket office, teleprinters (some still operational), a train dispatcher's workstation, the station's mechanical master clock, as well as uniforms, rank insignia and maps showing the development of the Bebra railway junction.

Around the tower, the association operates a 600 mm narrow-gauge railway with 1.6 kilometers of track. On the published operating days, various trains run and the museum is open; in addition, there are themed trips, for example lantern, St. Nicholas or teddy bear days.

Highlights

• 1910 water tower with steel sphere as Bebra's landmark
• Ticket office, teleprinters and train dispatcher's workstation
• Mechanical master clock of Bebra station
• 600 mm field railway with 1.6 km of track
• Themed operating days with waffles at the club kiosk

Permanent exhibitions

• Eisenbahnmuseum im Wasserturm – Signaling and telecommunications technology, historic ticket office, teleprinters, master clock, uniforms and maps of the Bebra railway junction, on three levels.
• Feldbahn rund um den Wasserturm – Trips with various trains on a 1.6 km, 600 mm narrow-gauge track on the operating days.

Operated by

Eisenbahnfreunde Bebra e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the Eisenbahnmuseum im Wasserturm is free; only rides on the field railway are charged.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• 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

The grounds, including the kiosk, are largely accessible without barriers. In the water tower only the lower level is barrier-free; the upper two levels are reached by an open steel staircase with 49 steps. The field railway is not barrier-free; the association helps with boarding and alighting.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Themed operating days such as lantern, St. Nicholas, spooky and teddy bear days, as well as the season opening with Easter bunnies.

Getting there & parking

By car via the B 27 (from Bad Hersfeld and Eschwege), B 83 (from Kassel and Melsungen) or A 4 (from Eisenach, exit Hönebach). Cyclists reach Bebra via the Fulda cycle path (R1) or the Waldhessen cycle path (R15).

Amenities & dining

On operating days, the club kiosk offers coffee, soft drinks, small snacks and waffles.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit