Hannoversches Straßenbahn-Museum

About the museum

The collection goes back to the association Deutsches Straßenbahn-Museum Hannover, which in 1971 parked its first two motor cars from Reutlingen in a depot in Rethen. When the depot was given up, the vehicles moved from 1973 to the site of the disused Hohenfels potash mine in Sehnde-Wehmingen, which became the home of the Deutsches Straßenbahn-Museum from 1974. By the mid-1980s the fleet had grown to more than 330 streetcars from over 60 transit operators, which overstretched the sponsoring association financially and led to its bankruptcy in 1986/87.

Since 1987 the museum has been run by the volunteer association Hannoversches Straßenbahn-Museum, which acquired the vehicles from the bankruptcy estate in the early 1990s. Since then the collection has been deliberately reduced; around 100 vehicles are housed in halls, many of them cosmetically restored or in working order. The focus is on postwar two-axle and large-capacity cars from East and West, articulated cars and service vehicles; foreign streetcars allow for comparisons.

The site itself is an industrial monument: of the potash mine, which began operating in 1902 and served as a munitions factory in World War II, the boiler house, locomotive shed, salt mill and winding engine house have survived. The association electrified the tracks itself and built new exhibition halls. Today the Technikwelten (technology worlds), with a bus museum, a telecommunications museum and a hi-fi museum, round out the offering.

Highlights

• Around 100 streetcars from 1895 to the 1980s
• Ride on the loop and the outer line included with admission
• Drive a streetcar yourself under instruction
• Listed ensemble of the Hohenfels potash mine
• Technikwelten with bus, telecommunications and hi-fi museums

Permanent exhibitions

• Straßenbahnsammlung – About 100 streetcars and service vehicles from German and European cities, from the early days to the light rail era, some of them in operation.
• Technikwelten im HSM – Additional collections on the site: bus museum (on selected days), telecommunications museum and the Norddeutsches Museum für HiFi- und Studiotechnik (North German Museum of Hi-Fi and Studio Technology).

Founded

1987

Operated by

Hannoversches Straßenbahn-Museum e.V.

Admission & discounts

Admission includes one ride on a historic streetcar on the loop or the outer line (each approx. 2.4 km).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

According to the museum, buildings and outdoor areas are only partially accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Sees itself as an excursion destination for families: rides on historic streetcars, model railway layouts, technology worlds, and "drive a streetcar yourself" under supervision. Family ticket for parents with their own children. Building and outdoor grounds are only partially accessible.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 7 (exit Laatzen) or A 2 (exit Lehrte) and the B 443 toward Sehnde, then follow the signs to Wehmingen. By bike via the cycle path on the south bank of the Mittelland Canal from the Anderten lock.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

Café-Bistro Hohenfels with a coffee garden (coffee, cake, snacks such as currywurst and meatballs, ice cream). For groups also outside opening hours by arrangement.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit