"Meiningen - "railwayana"" Meiningen by PeteNL

Meiningen Travel Guide: 8 reviews and 26 photos

The "Adler" replica for overhaul in Meiningen

"Meiningen" to me is synonymous with railwayana, having a great workshop where they (re)build steam engines. I admit, I'm a railway fan, but no freak (I think...) . Actually, I enjoy the scenery and buildings alongside a railway more than "just" the engines - but this place is special!

It used to be part of the Deutsche Reichsbahn (Eastern Germany) with 2000 people working there before 1989. Still some 500 were left when I first visited in 1993, now I think it's reduced to 150, and they're still in the process of privatizing - maybe a good investment for a rich and railway-minded VT-er!?

"Who said: not only wheels are round"?

The Adler replica shown above was built for the 100 year of German raiways event in 1935, the original Adler being the first engine on the first German railway line to be opened between Nürnberg and Fürth.
The replica was sadly destroyed by a huge fire in the Nürnberg railway museum in October 2005, along with 10 other older and more recent engines. Almost inmediately afterwards an initiative was set up to restore this famous engine. More details on this initiative are under "tips".

Some more work to be done here ... both on the trains and on this page!

The snowploughs here are also built by this workshop. Could be helpful for your backyard...

Pros and Cons

Pros:nice countryside (Thüringer Wald, great forest trails!), town is "neat", train workshop is just great
Cons:like many towns in the (former east), the restoration is too "neat" in places - I prefer an alley with trees and some partly restored houses from a 'spotless' square with fresly painted buildings!
In a nutshell:just a nice place in the heart of Germany!

Last visit to Meiningen: Jun 2000
Intro Updated Jun 24, 2006
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (3)

The town itself and its surroundings - Meiningen

The town itself and its surroundings Things to Do (2)

On my first visit the backalleys were still very much rundown, but especially in the centre a good job is being done,... more travel advice

The steam engines' workshop Things to Do (2)

The workshop is open to public quite regularly, every first and third saturday each month - check the "contact" site... more travel advice

off the beaten path in Germany Favorites (1)

Visit the workshop - see my page on that! And just enjoy town, as well as the scenery of the surrounding countryside.... more travel advice

Have you been to Meiningen? Share your travels with the world!

Comments (7)

Reply
- Report abuse
Nemorino Apr 16, 2005 at 4:53 PM

I never realized there was a railway workshop in Meiningen, so now I have a second reason to go there (the first being the opera). Actually I have been there once, but only stopped at the theater restaurant for supper on the way from Suhl to Eisenach.
Reply
- Report abuse
Weissdorn Dec 20, 2004 at 7:34 AM

Thanks for the nice tips on Meiningen - hope you get to write more!
Reply
- Report abuse
Leipzig Feb 1, 2004 at 9:07 AM

Great start! I can't remmeber my last visit here.
Reply
- Report abuse
kenHuocj Apr 18, 2003 at 8:59 AM

Reminds me of the Great steamers i used to see from our Balcony and on train rides to high school ;-))) see www.rovos.com
Reply
- Report abuse
craic Apr 4, 2003 at 4:41 AM

Not a train enthusiast but an enthusiast of anyone who has an enthusiasm.
Reply
- Report abuse
Pavlik_NL Mar 28, 2003 at 12:33 AM

Never to old to learn. This railmuseum looks very intresting. Thanks and keep up the good work. Groetjes, Paul
Reply
- Report abuse
slaybelle Mar 19, 2003 at 6:38 PM

great start and good pictures, hope to see more!