Märkische Museums-Eisenbahn

About the museum

Meter-gauge light railways once served the narrow side valleys of the Märkisches Sauerland with their many metalworking businesses – for example the Plettenberger Kleinbahn, the Kreis Altenaer Eisenbahn and the Hohenlimburger Kleinbahn. After World War II they lost out to buses and trucks and were gradually shut down. When the island railways on Juist and Spiekeroog, which still used cars from the Sauerland, also closed in 1982, the Märkische Museums-Eisenbahn was founded in Plettenberg on July 14, 1982, to bring these vehicles back home.

The first restorations took place in an old boiler house in Plettenberg-Eiringhausen. In 1984 the association acquired Hüinghausen station, opened in 1915 and now a listed building, on the standard-gauge Plettenberg–Herscheid line that had been closed in 1969. On its route, members built a meter-gauge line of about 2.3 kilometers to Köbbinghauser Hammer station on their own; in 1997 a three-track carriage shed with a water tower, workshop and staff facilities was added in Hüinghausen.

Under the name “Sauerländer Kleinbahn,” trains run on selected Sundays from May to November as well as for St. Martin's Day and St. Nicholas. Because the steam locomotive “Bieberlies” from the Biebertalbahn is undergoing a major overhaul, the diesel locomotive “Zukunft” currently pulls the museum train, which includes passenger cars from the Wangerooge island railway and the Walhallabahn. In addition, the steam locomotive FKB 5i, built in 1894, is being restored to working order in the workshop for a Dutch owner.

Highlights

• Ride on the historic museum train through the Else valley (about 2.3 km)
• Listed Hüinghausen station from 1915 with a historic ticket counter
• Passenger cars from the Wangerooge island railway and the Walhallabahn
• Carriage shed and workshop where historic narrow-gauge vehicles are restored
• Kleinbahn café in the old freight shed and beer garden
• Lantern and St. Nicholas train rides

Founded

1982

Operated by

Märkische Museums-Eisenbahn e. V.

Admission & discounts

The price listed is for a one-way trip (adults €5). Tickets only at the counter in Hüinghausen station or on the train, cash only; advance sales only for lantern and St. Nicholas rides. One free ride with the RUHR.TOPCARD (not on special trips). Dogs are allowed on board, except on lantern and St. Nicholas trains.

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

Due to limited space, strollers cannot be taken on the St. Nicholas rides; they can be left at the station.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children up to age 4 ride free. Family events such as lantern rides for St. Martin's Day (carriages lit by children's lanterns) and St. Nicholas rides in Advent, where every child gets a bag of treats.

Getting there & parking

From Plettenberg station, the MVG bus stops directly at the station; from Lüdenscheid, line 54 toward Plettenberg runs only from the Sauerfeld central bus station. From the "Bremcker Linde" stop, about a 5-minute walk to Köbbinghauser Hammer station.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Small-railway café in the old freight shed and beer garden with grill on all operating days from 11:00; small book and souvenir shop in the old waiting room.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 190 guests.

Special trip with diesel locomotive (up to 190 seats) €500, station café with approx. 30 seats €150 (with kitchen €200), carriage shed (track 7) €400; vehicle shed only by arrangement. Dates depend on volunteer availability, preferably around operating days from May to October. Concerts are also held in the carriage shed.

Plan your visit