Museum der Rhein-Sieg Eisenbahn
Volunteer-run railway museum in Asbach on Germany's first public narrow-gauge railway, with vehicles and guided tours.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum commemorates the Rhein-Sieg Eisenbahn, which opened in 1862 as a private horse-drawn railway in the Bröl valley and in 1869 became Germany's first public narrow-gauge railway, open to everyone. Its network grew to more than 87 kilometers. Passenger service ended in 1956, freight by rail in 1967.
The museum in Asbach was founded in 2000 at the suggestion of Bonn railway enthusiast Wolfgang Clößner. Over the years, a collection about the railway grew around his steam locomotive 53. Today a club runs the museum on a volunteer basis at Asbach station, on the Hennef–Asbach line.
On display are vehicles on a newly built track layout, as well as a permanent exhibition in the station building with original relics, models and pictures.
Highlights
- Steam locomotive 53 of the Rhein-Sieg Eisenbahn
- Demonstration operation with diesel locomotive V6
- Permanent exhibition on railway history since 1862
- Guided tours every hour
- QR-code walk around the grounds
Permanent exhibition
- Dauerausstellung zur Rhein-Sieg Eisenbahn – The exhibition in the station building tells the story of the railway from 1862 to today, through original relics, models and photos.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Museum der Rhein-Sieg Eisenbahn Asbach e.V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission and guided tours are free; donations are welcome.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
- Hands-on stations
Railway to touch; visiting the driver's cabs is possible when accompanied.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Asbach Honnefer Straße
Express bus SB51 from Bad Honnef DB station or the Bad Honnef Stadtbahn stop, hourly, also on Sundays.
Stop directly above the museum. By car via the A3, exit 34 Bad Honnef/Linz, then about 8 km on Rottbitzer Straße to Asbach; at the roundabout there take the second exit onto Talstraße, then turn right into Bahnhofstraße.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Bistro in car 842 with sausages, drinks, coffee and cake; books about the railway are available in the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | On opening days, free guided tours by club members every hour; the engine shed area is only accessible as part of the tours. The workshop is usually only open to visitors on the Tag des offenen Denkmals (Open Monument Day). |
