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20.12.2025: Christmas greetings from Wittenberge

Dear friends of our museum,

Another year has passed and we are approaching Christmas and the turn of the year. Of course, this is a time for thinking about presents. We are no exception. We are particularly delighted with our biggest Christmas present this year. Our diesel locomotive 118 748 is now operational again. A few words about the locomotive: it was built in 1968 at the Karl Marx Locomotive Factory in Potsdam-Babelsberg, has two diesel engines with 1,200 hp each and can reach a maximum speed of 120 km/h. This makes it a universal locomotive that was used for both passenger and freight transport. After being decommissioned by Deutsche Bahn AG in 1999, it was sold to Mitteldeutsche Eisenbahn, which passed it on to PRESS in 2020. Since then, it has enriched our vehicle collection, but so far only as a functional exhibit without track approval. In 2024, a member of our association acquired the locomotive.
In recent months, it has been thoroughly refurbished by Malowa in Klostermansfeld on the eastern edge of the Harz Mountains. Among other things, the engines, bogies, axles and brakes were repaired during the work. It was also fitted with a modern train control and radio system to enable it to be used on Deutsche Bahn AG lines.
After completion of the technical work, it has been repainted in recent days and now shines again in its old red and white colours. The first two photos show it a few days ago in the paint shop of a well-known railway workshop in Klostermannsfeld. Don't worry, the black stripes visible in the locomotive's paintwork are just reflections from the surroundings.


Last Thursday, a test run was carried out from Klostermannsfeld to Nordhausen and back, which proved satisfactory to our colleagues. The following pictures show it during the test run on 18 December 2025 in Klostermansfeld, in Nordhausen and during the engine inspection inside the locomotive.




In the late afternoon, sufficient provisions were stowed away and our colleagues set off for Wittenberge with the locomotive.

The journey first took us via Hettstedt, Staßfurt and Magdeburg to Stendal. They took a break there, as they had to wait for one of the few gaps in the construction work around Wittenberge station before tackling the final stage of the journey.
The following night shots were taken in Stendal.

This means that one of our big dreams has come true, and we would like to thank everyone involved for their generosity and dedication, without which the project would never have been possible. We wish the locomotive safe travels and hope that you, dear friends of the museum, will at least smile when you see the locomotive in our museum or on the tracks in the near future.
The transfer was only possible because the new track access to the Wittenberge depot and thus also to our museum has just been completed. Remember? Wittenberge station is currently being adapted to meet increased traffic demand. We will report on this shortly in a separate newsletter.
Otherwise, we have used the time in Wittenberge to rearrange the locomotive shed and workshop a little. We reported that we were able to purchase two replacement engines for our two diesel locomotives 118 748 and 114 774, which we have now stored in the locomotive shed, protected from the weather. So if you visit us next season, you can marvel at them here.
Incidentally, such an engine weighs several tonnes and is not easy to move without the necessary equipment. Fortunately, we now have a large forklift truck manufactured in the GDR at our disposal, which was previously used in the nearby sewing machine factory. For technology enthusiasts: it is a Takraf DFG6302/HG from 1977. It was built by VEB Verlade- und Transportanlagen Leipzig "Paul Fröhlich" and is powered by a diesel engine similar to those found in GDR W50 trucks.


Unfortunately, we occasionally have to deal with unforeseen tasks, as was the case last weekend. During the recent rainy days, it became apparent that the roof of the former emergency power generator hall had started to leak. A tarpaulin was put up as a temporary measure until spring, when the weather will allow new roofing felt to be installed.



As you can see, there is always something to do. Help is always welcome. So if you've resolved to actively support us in the new year, then go ahead and you're very welcome! No prior knowledge or expertise is required.
We now conclude our reporting from 2025 with best wishes for Christmas to you, your family and friends. Stay tuned and join us in looking forward to next year. It will be exciting. One of the highlights will certainly be the grand reopening of the renovated station building, in which we will participate.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026!

vehicles: Emma, 114 774-3, 118 748-3

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