Eisenbahnmuseum der Pfalz

About the museum

The museum stands on historic ground: with the first railway line in the Palatinate, a two-track engine shed and a workshop building were built in Neustadt in 1847. When the Pfalzbahn (Palatinate Railway) built a new depot with a roundhouse in the 1890s, the old shed was used only as a workshop. In 1958 the Neustadt railway depot lost its independence, and the facilities fell into disrepair.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Eisenbahngeschichte (DGEG), founded in 1967, leased the shed, which was slated for demolition, from the Bundesbahn in 1972, initially as overflow space for vehicles that had no room at the DGEG museum in Bochum-Dahlhausen. Volunteers restored the buildings, and a covered additional track was added in 1976. Once it became clear that the collection would stay, the "Fahrzeugsammlung Pfalz" (Palatinate vehicle collection) officially became a museum in 1981. The engine shed and workshop building are now listed historic monuments; shortly before 2000, the DGEG also acquired the site of the later depot as expansion space.

The focus of the collection is on vehicles of the southern German Länderbahnen (state railways), including the last two surviving original steam locomotives of the Pfalzbahn, the T 1 "Schaidt" and a T 5, the locomotive "Berg" from 1883, and a replica of the Crampton express locomotive "Die Pfalz". From the Reichsbahn era come, for example, the E 17 and the ET 11 railcar. Since 1997 there has also been a large gauge 1 model railway. Since 1984 the museum has operated its own heritage railway, the Kuckucksbähnel, into the Elmstein valley.

Highlights

• Listed Pfalzbahn engine shed from the early days of the railway
• Palatinate T 1 "Schaidt" and T 5 – the last surviving original Pfalzbahn steam locomotives
• Replica of the Crampton express locomotive "Die Pfalz"
• Steam locomotive "Berg" from 1883, E 17 and ET 11 railcar
• Gauge 1 model railway (19 × 7 m) with regular operating sessions

Permanent exhibitions

• Fahrzeugsammlung im Pfalzbahn-Lokschuppen – Locomotives and cars, mainly from the southern German state railways and the Reichsbahn, in the historic engine shed, including the last surviving original Pfalzbahn steam locomotives.
• Spur-1-Modellbahnanlage – Large 1:32 scale model railway with a locomotive depot, stations and a mountain line, being gradually upgraded to digital control since 2022.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Eisenbahngeschichte e.V. (DGEG)

Admission & discounts

Different admission prices may apply during special events. Rides on the Kuckucksbähnel are not included in museum admission (separate entry).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

The museum can only be reached via a staircase from Schillerstraße; there is no accessible entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Annual children's festival on October 3 with free admission for children up to age 14, open driver's cabs, a coloring and play corner, and a wooden and LGB train to play with. The museum is reachable only by a staircase.

Getting there & parking

GPS: Schillerstraße 3, 67434 Neustadt. Via the A65, exits Neustadt-Nord or -Süd.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit