News

01.03.2026: New project launched

In our last newsletter, we already hinted that something big was in the works. And it has to do with one of our class 50 steam locomotives, of which we have several in our inventory.

A few words about the history of the Class 50: it was part of the new construction programme of the former Deutsche Reichsbahn, which from the 1930s onwards wanted to put a fleet of steam locomotives on the tracks that was modern for its time and based on a uniform type programme. Although there were classes for different purposes, many parts were interchangeable. This significantly reduced procurement and maintenance costs. The Class 50 was a kind of universal type that could be used to pull both passenger and freight trains. A total of over 3,100 locomotives of this class were manufactured from 1939 onwards in various factories in Germany and in countries occupied during the war.

After the war, 350 of these locomotives remained in the Soviet occupation zone of Germany and were later used by the German Reichsbahn in the GDR. In the mid-1950s, it became clear that the locomotives would have to remain in service for a longer period of time because the planned switch to diesel and electric locomotives was delayed. For this reason, 208 Class 50 locomotives were refurbished between 1958 and 1962. This meant that they were fitted with new boilers and, in some cases, new tenders.

Our 50 3682, which was built by Krauss-Maffei in Munich in 1939 and put into service by the Deutsche Reichsbahn as 50 255, is one of the 208 locomotives mentioned above. It had an eventful life. From 1948 to 1952, it was used in what was known as column service. This involved transporting all kinds of machinery and goods claimed by the Soviet Union as reparations after the war to the Polish/Russian border, where they were transferred to Russian broad-gauge freight trains. Such journeys sometimes took weeks.

At the end of the 1950s, our locomotive was reconstructed at the Stendal repair workshop and has since been numbered 50 3682. It belonged to the Deutsche Reichsbahn until March 1993 and was then acquired by a fellow member of our association. We were able to keep it operational until 2019. However, the condition of its boiler then forced us to take it out of service. Unfortunately, the thickness of the material no longer allowed for safe operation.

Two pictures from the locomotive's museum service: hauling a freight train in March 2002 and use on round trips through the Port of Hamburg at the end of September 2007.




As we had to take its sister engine, 50 3570, out of service some time ago for similar reasons, it was decided to focus on rebuilding 50 3682 first. A replacement boiler in fairly good condition was procured for this purpose.

First, however, the locomotive's existing boiler must be removed. In order to lift it off the locomotive's chassis, all attachments and the locomotive's driver's cab must first be removed. This involves removing all fittings and controls from the driver's cab and dismantling all pipes and auxiliary units connected to the boiler. We are currently in this phase. Current pictures of the latest work on this are attached here. We will continue soon and keep you up to date here.






If you would like to support us in this project, you are very welcome to do so. There is plenty of work to be done, but also financial needs. Please feel free to contact our board (contact details in the imprint).
vehicle: 50 3682-7

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30.01.2026: Winter greetings from the locomotive shed

How time flies! The year 2026 has barely begun, and the first month is already over. So it's high time to write another newsletter. What happened in January?

Like you probably, we were in the icy grip of winter. Unfortunately, it's not possible to get much work done unless you can find a heated room. Fortunately, although our locomotive shed is not frost-free, at least it is draught-free when the doors and gates are closed. So we have literally moved our work indoors. One major project at the moment is the refurbishment of a mobile crane, which we recently received on permanent loan. It has spent the last few weeks outside, but has now been hauled into our workshop. The clutch and brakes need to be replaced and a crane inspection prepared. When the temperatures rise again, it will also be repainted.



The necessary manoeuvring work for this was carried out by a Soviet-made Mts 572 tractor. It was manufactured in Minsk in 1990 and its engine has an output of approx. 60 hp. A colleague kindly stationed it in Wittenberge for our internal transport needs.



Many people are probably wondering what we intend to do with a mobile crane. Well, the answer is already standing in front of our locomotive shed. In the medium term, our replacement boiler is to be rebuilt onto a steam locomotive.



We'll keep that a secret for now which of our steam engines will be treated. In any case, before a new boiler can be installed on a locomotive, the old boiler and the driver's cab must first be removed. The latter covers the rear end of a locomotive boiler. In addition, various components have to be removed from a steam locomotive before a boiler can be lifted off. To manage expectations here as well: the whole process will not be completed within a few weeks, but will take a considerably longer period of time.

Our V100 series diesel locomotive is also still in progress. There is still some work to be done here. In particular, the tanks and fuel lines still need to be flushed and the fuel filters replaced, because the old fuel in the tanks is unfortunately decomposing faster than expected due to its biological components and is clogging everything in its path.



The interior work on our carriage 197 805 is also slowly progressing. The ceiling lighting, wall panelling and decorative mouldings, as well as the window frames, have been installed and painted. The upper half of the passenger compartments already looks like new again.



In mid-January, we also took a little break. Traditionally, we get together for our New Year's party (instead of a Christmas party). Many members enjoyed the lovely buffet. Many thanks again to everyone who helped with the cooking and baking. We also had the opportunity to reminisce about the past with videos and photos.





On the same day, we had another opportunity to take a look at our new track access. Work is currently progressing on the electric point motors and signals.

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09.01.2026: New railway siding for the Wittenberge railway depot

Dear friends of our museum,

First of all, we wish you all the best for the new year and hope that it has started well for you. It certainly has for us, as our museum now has a new rail connection to the public transport network.
One of Germany's mammoth infrastructure projects is the renovation of one of the country's most important railway lines, namely the line between Berlin and Hamburg. As you have probably read in the press or know from your own experience, this line has now been closed for several months due to extensive track renewal work. Overall, the project is now in its second half.
In this context, Wittenberge station is also undergoing a fundamental renovation. The main focus is on
the expansion of the passenger station to include a platform with one track, including the extension of the pedestrian tunnel to the platforms,
additional track connections for parallel exits,the extension of the industrial and harbour railway freight tracks of the city of Wittenberge located on the Berlin line and their eastern connection to the main line, as well as their electrification, and
the redesign of the access road to the railway depot, which includes not only our museum but also the track facilities of our neighbours, the Wittenberge rail vehicle works.
Today, we will show you the progress that has been made, particularly with regard to the new track connection to the depot. The track construction work here is now largely complete. However, the electrical equipment for the points, the signals that will regulate entry to the site in future, and their connection to the DB AG central signal box in Berlin are still missing. Work on this is in full swing.
What has changed specifically?
The entrance to the railway depot has been relocated and a new double slip has been installed. This is a switch in the shape of an elongated ><. It connects two tracks on both sides.
One of the tracks connected there is a new shunting track that leads approximately to the beginning of the platform at the station building. It is intended to facilitate shunting movements in the depot. We will probably also use this track for our round trips during steam events from 2026 onwards.
Below are a few pictures of the current situation: The first picture shows the new double slip, which leads to the new shunting track on the left and to the passenger station on the right. The second picture was taken from a similar perspective, but a little further towards the station. It is also nice to see that the station building is already shining in new splendour, at least in part. The third picture shows a view from the passenger station towards the railway depot. Picture four shows the connecting switch to the railway depot. The track on the right leads to the depot, while the track on the left leads to the Magdeburg line. The fifth picture shows the new double slip a connection to the existing tracks in the depot.





Finally, let's take a look at the new eastern connection to the Wittenberge industrial and harbour railway. Here, an additional freight track and a switch connection to the main line tracks to and from Berlin have been created. Among other things, this significantly simplifies the handling of container trains formed at Wittenberg harbour. Work is still ongoing here on the electrical connections for the switches and signals and the installation of the overhead line.


Current plans envisage that work on the line and thus also at Wittenberge station will be completed by the end of April 2026, meaning that the tracks shown above will also be ready for use. We will continue to report on this, but urge you not to trespass the construction sites.