Having opened its doors in 1882, the DB Museum is now the world's oldest museum devoted to the railways. Its main building is located in Nuremberg, and it also has two other branches – one in Koblenz and the other in Halle an der Saale. Property of the Deutsche Bahn Foundation, the Nuremberg building may be old, but it is nothing if not modern, as its collections and exhibitions have been completely overhauled in recent years.
The heart of the Nuremberg exhibition is a panoramic sweep of rail history in Germany from its humble beginnings around 1800 up to the present day, and even taking a look at what the future may have in store. Covering a total space of 6,800 m², it takes a different approach to most railway museums in that the history of train technology is just one aspect among many others. All of them are woven together to tell a much larger story. Scores of objects, from original locomotives to old advertising signs, are given their own interactive settings and vividly bring this tale to life.
The original vehicles at the museum are another major draw for visitors. Some 40 rail legends are on show in two halls. They include the oldest surviving passenger coach in Germany, a replica of the country's first steam locomotive, the Adler, and a model of the ICE 4, the next generation of high-speed train. The museum's external exhibition space covers some 15,000 m² and includes a vintage train platform, interactive signal box and a display depot containing train-related treasures from the museum's various collections.
Younger visitors can look forward to KIBALA, a railway paradise created specially for children to experiment and play with. It's got lots of buttons that need pressing, a train simulator and a miniature railway that shunts our little visitors around the entire exhibition grounds.
The museum hosts different special exhibitions dedicated to specific topics, and its programme of events also includes a wide range of concerts, talks and celebrations that ensure there's never a dull moment at Lessingstrasse 6.
The DB Museum was founded in 1882, making it the oldest railway museum in the world
Vehicle hall I and II houses legendary locomotives.
The permanent exhibition
The permanent exhibition
Our new outdoor display area: Visitors can head to our outdoor display area and take a trip through time. This section was redesigned in 2012.
KIBALA is the new section of the DB Museum Nuremberg devoted entirely to children. While our young visitors play here, they can also learn about all things rail-related.
The permanent exhibition
Vehicle hall I and II houses legendary locomotives.
Vehicle hall I houses legendary locomotives such as the Adler and Germany's oldest surviving steam locomotive, the Nordgau. No visitor should miss the sumptuous carriages used by Ludwig II of Bavaria.
The new display depot
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