- Exhibition on historical steam locomotives opened in Meiningen
110 Years after the founding of the Meiningen Steam Locomotive Works, a new permanent exhibition, "Dampflok Experience World," has opened in the southern Thuringian city. Spanning 900 square meters, the exhibition explores the history and workings of the steam locomotive, which revolutionized transportation in the 19th century and was still in use in some parts of Eastern Germany until the 1970s. The main exhibit is a historic steam locomotive displayed as a cross-section model, illustrating the fundamentals of the technology.
Approximately 17 million euros were invested in the exhibition, with 9.4 million coming from the state of Thuringia, which hopes the attraction will boost tourism. "Steam locomotives are a technological marvel and have a massive following across Europe," said Thuringian Minister of Economics Wolfgang Tiefensee (SPD), according to a statement.
In addition to the historic locomotive, the exhibition features photographs and oral histories from witnesses to bring the story of steam locomotives to life. Meiningen was the site of a steam locomotive works established in 1914, which is now the only repair and maintenance facility for historic steam locomotives in Germany. The exhibition is located adjacent to the works.
The "Dampflok Experience World" is a part of the permanent exhibition, offering visitors an in-depth exploration of steam locomotives and their impact on transportation. The new attraction, supported by a significant investment of 17 million euros, aims to draw tourists to Meiningen, recognizing the enduring fascination with steam locomotives as a technological marvel across Europe.
