Straßenbahnmuseum Darmstadt

About the museum

Darmstadt’s local transit began in 1886 with meter-gauge steam tramways of the Süddeutsche Eisenbahngesellschaft to Griesheim, Eberstadt and later Arheilgen, whose trains were popularly known as “Feuriger Elias” (“Fiery Elijah”). The first electric lines followed in 1897; after the competing operators merged to form HEAG, the suburban routes were electrified by the mid-1920s.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the electric streetcar in 1997, a steam train ran on Darmstadt’s streetcar tracks again for the first time. Its success led the following year to the founding of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Historische HEAG-Fahrzeuge, which has since organized steam tram rides together with HEAG mobilo and looks after and restores the other museum vehicles. The association is part of the Bahnwelt Darmstadt-Kranichstein network.

In the past, the association opened its vehicles to the public on special event days at the Kranichstein streetcar depot. The collection now has its own exhibition hall on Marburger Straße in Darmstadt-Nord, which has welcomed visitors on selected days since 2024.

The collection includes steam locomotive No. 7 with its trailer cars as well as numerous motor cars and trailers from various HEAG series spanning roughly a century. The vehicle display is complemented by information on the more than 130-year history of local transit in Darmstadt and its suburbs.

Highlights

• Historic Darmstadt motor cars and trailers spanning about 100 years
• Steam tram “Feuriger Elias” with locomotive No. 7 (currently being restored)
• History of Darmstadt’s local transit since 1886
• Free admission on open days

Permanent exhibitions

• Fahrzeugausstellung Darmstädter Straßenbahn – Historic HEAG motor cars and trailers from various eras, complemented by information on the development of Darmstadt’s local transit from the steam tramway to the present.

Operated by

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Historische HEAG-Fahrzeuge im Eisenbahnmuseum Darmstadt-Kranichstein e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission, donations welcome.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

During the Bahnwelttage, a free historic bus shuttle runs between the Eisenbahnmuseum Kranichstein and the streetcar museum.

Amenities & dining

Food and drinks available on site on open days.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit