News

13.09.2023: Autumn steam in sight

With giant strides we are approaching our third and last event this year. On 7 and 8 October, if possible, everything that can move itself will steam and diesel again. Tickets for the event are available on site for € 8,- (adults) / 4,- (children) / 20,- (families).
Of course, there are quite a few preparations to be made, which have been with us for some time now and are becoming more and more intensive the closer we get to the date. What exactly will be in use? First of all, there are our two steam locomotives 50 3570 and Emma, which are already in the starting blocks. This time they will be supported by the steam locomotive 86 1333 of the Pressnitztalbahn, which will interrupt its journey home from Hamburg especially for our event. Incidentally, the locomotive was built in 1939 at the Floridsdorf locomotive factory in Vienna and was initially used not far from Wittenberge in Waren, Wittstock, Parchim and Güstrow. So it's a home game, so to speak.

From the diesel fraction, we will probably show you our small locomotives of the Deutsche Reichsbahn and the Osthannoversche Eisenbahn. You will also see the large diesel locomotives V320 and probably 114 774, the latter of which we are still working on during its main inspection. In the meantime, the cardan shafts of the locomotive have been reinstalled and the brake parts have been assembled. So it can run and brake again.

What else happened? We had three events to attend last weekend and that was quite exhausting, not only because of the summery weather. On 9.9, our neighbours, the Schienenfahrzeugwerke Wittenberge, opened their doors to interested visitors. Of course we supported them, because we actually share the grounds of the former Wittenberge railway depot. We also think that we complemented each other well, because the SfW showed modern technology, while we showed historical technology.


On 9.9. in the evening, a classical concert took place in the locomotive shed in front of a historical backdrop. The quartet and we were delighted to welcome more than 150 culture enthusiasts who listened to the sounds of Bach, Mendelsohn and Co. in the locomotive shed. Great atmosphere! It's nice that more and more people are taking advantage of such an offer.

On Sunday, the nationwide Open Monument Day took place. We also took part in this event and were able to tell quite a few visitors about our activities to preserve our monument.
Today we can also report on another small sensation. Unfortunately, the well-known Stendal specialist book author and railway enthusiast Wolfgang List passed away some time ago. However, we were able to come to an agreement with the family that our museum will take over and exhibit the extensive collection of bell mechanisms. These are various devices, some of them the size of telephone booths, which were used to signal incoming and outgoing trains by morse signals before the digitalisation of the railway. Wolfgang List had saved such equipment from being scrapped in many parts of Germany and restored it to working order in his private collection. Now the parts will be given their rightful place in Wittenberge. We would like to thank the relatives once again for their willingness to hand over the collection to us. A few days ago, we started to set up the large exhibits in our outdoor area.


Now back to the initial topic, the looming autumn steam: We have already referred to the event itself. However, there are a few other highlights that need to be mentioned.
First of all, there are the feeder trips to our steam days. On Saturday, 7 October, a special railcar from Neumünster will travel to Wittenberge, and on Sunday a railbus "Ferkeltaxe" from Neustrelitz. Tickets are still available. So if you would like to travel in style on one of these trains, you can find more information and bookings on our website www.dampflok-wittenberge.de and the website of our colleagues from Neumünster www.kulturlokschuppen.de.
If you are travelling by car on Saturday, 7 October, and it was produced in the GDR, you have the opportunity to drive directly to the museum grounds and save the entrance fee. However, we ask for advance notification by email to service@bw-wittenberge.de.

And if you would like to take stylish photos of our vehicles and the guest locomotive 86 1333, our photo sessions on Saturday, 7 October, from 17:00 are particularly suitable. Here we will re-enact scenarios from operational service according to a script and ensure your photographic pleasure at the blue hour, without you having to worry that someone will walk through your picture. Tickets at a price of € 30 will be available at the museum entrance on the day.

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27.08.2023: Main inspection of our diesel locomotive

Last Saturday, another big step was taken in the main inspection of our diesel locomotive 114 774. Now that all the work on the locomotive's running gear and frame had been completed, the locomotive could be put back on its "own feet". This meant for the active members that they had to put the locomotive back on its bogies and thus on its own axles. This was an exciting moment and millimetre work, but it worked out well to the great relief of those involved. Of course, we also took a few photos during this action, which we do not want to withhold from you.





Afterwards, the locomotive was brought back to the museum area where further work will be done. Once again, we would like to thank our colleagues at Schienenfahrzeugwerke Wittenberge for their support.
Last weekend, we also welcomed a large group of motorbike enthusiasts to the museum, who have since published a YouTube video https://youtu.be/BLrVGGOuLXU?si=-3CW5h98siknbNRO of a drone flight that is well worth watching. Before take-off, please sit down and fasten your seat belts! Thank you very much for your visit.
Today we would also like to draw your attention to the next events.
On 9th September, 2023, our neighbours, the Eisenbahngesellschaft Potsdam, are holding an open day from 10:00 am. In the workshop adjacent to our museum, you can take an exceptional look behind the scenes.

On 9.9.2023 there will then be culture of the classical kind in our museum from 5 pm. Under the motto Klanglandschaften Prignitz, the Kulturkombinat Perleberg will delight us with music by Bach, Mozart and Mendelsohn. A late summer treat!

On 10.9.2023, the all-German Open Monument Day will take place, in which we will also participate. For once, the museum will be open on a Sunday.

And on 16.9.2023, Germany's Rail Day will take place. We will also be taking part in this.

And last but not least, we would like to take this opportunity to announce our "Autumn Steam Gala", a colourful locomotive festival for the whole family with lots of activities in the engine shed and special trips to Wittenberge harbour.

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07.08.2023: Running gear inspection on our diesel locomotive V100

Today a small special report about the running gear inspection on our diesel locomotive of the class V100, which bears the road number 114 774-3. As already reported in the last newsletter, the locomotive is now undergoing this inspection in order to be allowed to run freely on the rail network in Germany. For this purpose, the locomotive's running gear has to be checked and repaired if necessary.
On Saturday, the first major step was taken and the locomotive body was separated from the two bogies. To do this, the locomotive body was lifted by means of a lifting device and the two bogies were moved out.


We have recorded the lifting process on video. Since the process takes quite a long time, we show it here in fast motion:

Afterwards, the pivots were cleaned and examined for cracks using ultrasound. They are located under the locomotive body and form the central connection to the bogies. Fortunately, both pivots turned out to be in perfect condition.

The bogies were also inspected and cleaned. Finally, another task of the day was to remove the old brake pads and prepare the brake system for the installation of new brake pads.


When the further examinations of the bogies and the brake system are completed, the locomotive will be put back on the bogies. We will report on this shortly.
Also worth mentioning is the diligent home work of a colleague. He has made new gaskets for the boiler feed valves of the steam locomotive “Pritzwalk” in his home work. Here is a picture of an old and new copper gasket and his tools for making them.

By the way, the Day of Industrial Culture will take place next weekend. We already reported about it in our last newsletter. Enclosed now the poster for this event.
https://dampflok-wittenberge.de/download/2023-08-12-plakat_industriekultur.pdf

vehicle: 114 774-3

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30.07.2023: News

Due to holidays we had to stop our newsletter a little bit, but now we are back again and provide you with the latest news from our museum in Wittenberge.
Let's start with the work on our vehicles. At the moment we are working on the tender for the steam locomotive 50 3570. Unfortunately, the work is taking quite a long time, because there is more damage to repair than initially thought. However, our project manager thinks that "land is in sight" now.


Another construction site is our diesel locomotive 114 754. As reported, the locomotive is soon to receive a general inspection, which is necessary in order to be able to use it universally on the German rail network. Such a general inspection is comparable to a regular inspection of a car, only much more extensive and labor-intensive (and therefore, unfortunately, much more expensive).

Since it must be determined and certified that the locomotive is roadworthy and meets the applicable requirements, the following work, among other things, must be performed:
The locomotive must be lifted out of the bogies so that they and the locomotive frame can be inspected for cracks or other damage. For this purpose, we have already removed the cardan shafts that transmit the driving force from the locomotive's transmission to the two bogies and thus the axles. The next picture shows the locomotive from below.

In the bogies, the brake parts must be inspected and replaced if necessary. Usually, the brake linings (also called "brake pads") are replaced right away. The same applies to the brake control parts, which are located in the locomotive body and in the driver's cab.
This is followed by an ultrasound examination of the axles, the bogies' pivots and the train hooks. This examines whether there are any cracks here that may not yet be visible to the naked eye, but which could later lead to fractures during operation and thus to serious accidents.
The locomotive's suspension is also inspected. If necessary, springs and vibration dampers must be replaced.
Then the wheels on the axles are examined. They are also checked for cracks. In addition, the so-called wheel tires, which enclose the actual wheel and which it rolls on the rail, are inspected. The wheel tires must sit firmly on the wheel discs, have a certain minimum thickness and the so-called profile, i.e. the rolling surface and the shape of the wheel flange, must be within the scope of the applicable standards. This should ensure that the axles roll smoothly and safely over the rails and do not derail.
We will inform you about further work here and of course also publish a few pictures when the time has come.
By the way, the work is being carried out at the Schienenfahrzeugwerke Wittenberge, our neighbours. This company is equipped and certified for such work. If you would like to take a look behind otherwise closed doors at our neighbours', we recommend 9.9.2023.

Now let's take a look around our site. Thanks to Bernd from Berlin for the pictures.







If you want to visit us again, there are several occasions to do so:

12.8. Industrial Heritage Day: On this day, many, many historical sites are open in the federal state of Brandenburg. Take a look at the internet address linked here, where you will find all the participating museums. Maybe combine a trip to us with a visit to another museum nearby https://www.museen-brandenburg.de/de-ls/museen/nach-themen/

09.09.2023 Open day at the Eisenbahngesellschaft Potsdam, our neighbours in Lokschuppen III.

10.09.2023 Open Monument Day: Many museums throughout Germany present themselves here and provide insights into their work and behind the scenes. And so will we! More information will be available soon. https://www.tag-des-offenen-denkmals.de/

16.09.2023 Rail Day: This day of action is celebrated annually in September as part of European Mobility Week. On this day of action, numerous events take place all over Germany about the railway as a means of transport. More information will be available shortly.

07./08.10.2023 Autumn Steam: End of season at the Historic Engine Shed Wittenberge with vehicle exhibition / demonstrations, parades, driver's cab rides, tours of the site and harbour tours. More information will be available in early to mid-September 2023.

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19.06.2023: Preparations for the summer festival underway

As you, dear readers of our newsletter, probably already know, the Summer Festival will take place at the Historic Engine Shed Wittenberge on July 8 and 9, 2023. Some of you who live in other states may also have already reserved the date because you are stopping by on your way to holiday destination at the Baltic Sea or the Mecklenburg Lake District. We are looking forward to you and all the others who make the extra more or less long way to us to experience a lot of railway together with us.
We already began preparing for the event. First of all, we have placed a flagpole at the entrance so that you can find your way to our entrance even from a slightly greater distance.


We are also preparing our vehicles for the event. So last Saturday we already replenished first supplies and polished a few vehicles.
In the former water station, the rectangular water tower, quite a few windows were uncovered and covered with new wooden panels before they can get new glass again. This will take some time, but the rosettes on the window frames already hint at the cathedral-like character of the building.

Next weekend we will continue with the preparations. If you would like to give us a hand or two, just come by next Saturday or the Saturday after and lend a hand starting at 10 am. Previous experience is not necessary, but only the willingness to be physically active and not to shy away from dirt. And don't worry, there will be plenty of washing facilities and hot water to clean up any messes. You will meet friendly people and afterwards you will have the satisfied feeling of having contributed to something good. Please bring clothes that can get dirty and stay dirty. If this is an option for you, feel free to sign up at the museum ticket office. Volunteers, of course, do not pay admission.
If you are looking forward to the festival, we would like to give you the dates again: On July 8 and 9, the museum will be open from 10 am. Last admission is on Saturday at 4 pm and on Sunday at 3 pm. The entrance fee for adults / children is € 8,-/4,-. Family tickets are available at the price of € 20, -. On Saturday there will also be a photo hour from 17:00, for which a separate entrance fee will be charged.
Here is a small preview of the some highlights: For the first time in a long time, we are trying to show the diesel locomotives 118 748 and, if possible, 320 001 in operation. For the friends of the small gauge, the modell rail friends Lüchow-Dannenberg will show a large model railway layout in modular construction in the locomotive shed. Of course, there will also be food and drinks for your convenience and so the volunteer fire department Wittenberge will be present again with their pea soup cannon.
So, if you haven't already done so, please mark the date in your calendar and plan your holiday route so that it passes through Wittenberge. See you there!

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