07. May 2026, 10:46 o'Clock
Halle
Article: DB Museum Halle reopens: Experience historic locomotives up close
Roundhouse opens – Reichsbahn rolling stock accessible up close for experts and the public
The DB Museum in Halle is open again. This means a venue is now accessible where historic rail technology can be viewed up close. Since 18 April, the rolling stock in the roundhouse has been accessible once more. This gives experts, trainspotters and interested visitors the opportunity not only to see the locomotives and carriages, but also to examine them in detail.
High visitor response to the reopening: Around 1,400 guests took advantage of the offer - from original vehicles to model installations.
The site offers particular added value for technical analysis. The design, construction and dimensions of the rolling stock can be understood through direct comparison. Anyone interested in rail freight transport and rolling stock engineering will find here vivid examples from the era of the Deutsche Reichsbahn in the GDR.
The collection comprises around 15 original locomotives, including iconic vehicles such as the 03 1010 express locomotive, electric locomotives from various series, and historic railcars. The exhibits represent different stages of development in rail transport and bring technical solutions from past decades to life.
Electric locomotive from the early phase of electric traction: construction, rivet design and running gear details can be analysed up close at the DB Museum Halle.
Class 211 electric locomotive: Representative of Reichsbahn technology with clearly recognisable design features in detail.
Historic railcar: the body, driver's cab and technical equipment provide an insight into earlier vehicle concepts.
The site itself is also part of this development. The roundhouse was opened at the end of the 19th century, and Halle was also an important location for the GDR Reichsbahn’s research facility. Technical innovations were driven forward here right up until the 1980s – a background that places the exhibition in a broader context.
The reopening is the result of constructive discussions. Following the announcement last December that the site would be converted into a depot, new plans were developed in collaboration with the City of Halle and with the support of numerous volunteers. The Deutsche Bahn Foundation will continue to run the site; the conversion is off the table.
Well connected: The DB Museum Halle is located directly at the Steintorbrücke S-Bahn station and is easy to reach.
Volunteers play a central role in day-to-day operations. The Förderverein Eisenbahnmuseum Halle (Saale) e. V. (Friends of the Halle (Saale) Railway Museum) will provide organisational and content-related support in future. Many tasks therefore remain in the hands of volunteers.
The museum is open regularly on Saturdays. In recent years, around 15,000 visitors have been recorded annually. The interior of the locomotive shed remains unchanged – thus preserving its authentic character. For both the industry and the general public, the DB Museum in Halle is a place where historical rolling stock engineering can be explored first-hand – from the vehicle as a whole right down to the smallest detail.
Further information at dbmuseum.de/en/halle
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