The Deutsche Bahn Railway Museum is a fantastic showcase of the country’s railway ingenuity throughout the last 200 years. As the birthplace of the German railway, Nuremberg is the perfect home for the DB Museum, which is located within the Nuremberg Transport Museum (Verkehrsmuseum Nürnberg). Follow the history of German rail through beautifully restored machinery, carriages, artifacts and multimedia displays.
Your tour of the museum begins in a gallery displaying the German railway’s history. The museum itself dates back to 1882, making it one of the world’s first rail museums. Follow the different periods demonstrated in the evolution of the railway, beginning with the Adler. Find out about Germany’s first engine model by examining the replica in the museum’s vehicle halls.
Check out rare and restored vehicles, including the two state carriages of King Ludwig II and the Royal Bavarian State Railway locomotive S 2/6. This steam locomotive broke the German speed record in 1907.
Learn about the darker side of Germany’s efficient railway system when you explore the exhibits dedicated to the Reich Railway, which was fundamental to the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust. Continue on your journey through rail history to the present day, where you can learn about modern innovations in bridge and tunnel construction, as well as electrical technology and precision track laying.
Make your way to the Modellarium, with a stunning array of other vehicles constructed with scales of 1:5 to 1:700. Be mesmerized by the operations in great detail of the large model railway with more than 30 trains in 1:87 scale. More interactive exhibits include the walk-through tunnel, a level crossing with operating signals and vehicles with sound simulations. Make an appointment to peruse the titles in the museum’s extensive library.
The Deutsche Bahn Railway Museum is located south of Nuremberg’s Old Town, fittingly within a 10-minute walk from the city’s main railway station. There is a fee for admission, which includes discounts for children, families and visitors traveling with DB tickets. The museum is wheelchair accessible. It is usually closed on Mondays.
