Railway romance: Giant steam locomotives take center stage in Meiningen

Steam locomotive enthusiasts will have another chance to get close to railway history this weekend in Meiningen, where the city's Steam Locomotive Days are expected to attract several thousand visitors.

The event opens both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and gives visitors access to a Deutsche Bahn subsidiary's locomotive works and the city's Dampflok Erlebniswelt museum. The rebuilt Adler is the main attraction. The replica of the first operational locomotive used in Germany normally stands at the Deutsche Bahn Museum in Nuremberg, but has been brought to Meiningen for the event.

Visitors can also see working and historic rail vehicles, join guided tours of the works, take special train rides and browse model railways at a market.

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The Adler is the big sensation here.

Iris Helbing, Meiningen's head of culture, said the spectacle of the locomotive works remained powerful for visitors. “When you enter the sacred halls of the steam locomotive works and see these railway giants, it is incredibly impressive, and people are still fascinated that these steel colossi can be set in motion by the elements of fire and water,” she said.

A standard combined ticket for the works and museum costs 20 euros per day, while the reduced price is 8 euros. Entry to the works alone costs 15 euros, or 5 euros at the reduced rate. Discounts are available for school students, and children aged 12 and under enter free.

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When you enter the sacred halls of the steam locomotive works and see these railway giants, it is incredibly impressive, and people are still fascinated that these steel colossi can be set in motion by the elements of fire and water.