Originally built as a public toilet by the city’s master builder Genzmer, the building was given to the charity “Freunde & Förderer der Nerobergbahn” [Friends & Supporters of the Nerobergbahn] by the City of Wiesbaden in 1999. Following full internal and external renovation over a period of two years, it was officially opened as a small but wonderful museum in August 2000. The exhibits were donated or loaned by Nerobergbahn employees and Wiesbaden municipal utilities.
- They provide insight into the braking system and how the railway works, and also include a scale model of a carriage and two old ticket machines.
- Glass cases hold old work instructions, tickets, postcards and tools.With new exhibits added all the time, it is always worth a visit. Staff will be happy to answer any questions. Just ask at the Nerobergbahn valley station or at 0611 - 450 22 550
History in figures
1886 | Permit application filed by businessman Carl Rudolf from Baden-Baden for a water-powered funicular railway to the popular tourist site Neroberg. |
1887 | Contract for the construction of the Nerobergbahn signed by Rudolf and the City of Wiesbaden. |
1888 | The railway is built using the Riggenbach system (gear rack in the centre of the tracks) with a passing loop (three tracks; four tracks at the passing loop in the middle of the route) that uses the Abt system. The two carriages are built by Maschinenfabrik Esslingen. |
1888 | Opening of the Nerobergbahn on 25 September 1888. |
1890 | Sale of the funicular railway to Bachsteinische Consortium. |
1895 | Transfer to Süddeutsche Eisenbahngesellschaft (SEG). |
1923 | End of operations due to economic reasons. |
1925 | Takeover of the Nerobergbahn by the City of Wiesbaden. |
1942 | Integration of the funicular railway into Wiesbaden municipal utilities. |
1944 | Shutdown due to war damage. |
1946 | Reopening and seizure by the US military authorities. |
1948 | The railway is reopened to the public. |
1963 | Maschinenfabrik Esslingen is commissioned with restoring the carriage tanks. The structure is also overhauled by Auwärter. The two carriages of the Nerobergbahn leave Wiesbaden in November 1962 for a general overhaul, returning to their home in March 1963 — the year of the railway’s 75th anniversary. |
1972 | General overhaul of the tracks. |
1974 | The carriages are given a new coat of paint. |
1988 | The Nerobergbahn celebrates its 100th anniversary and is recognised as a protected technical monument by the State of Hesse. |
1991 | General overhaul of the viaduct. |
1993 | Renewal of the water pump. |
1995 | A new cable is laid, replacing the locked coil cable with a stranded cable. |
1998 | 110 years of the Nerobergbahn; the two stations and both carriages are given a new coat of paint. |
2000 | Opening of the railway museum at the valley station. |
2005 | The route is completely restored, with sleepers and tracks renewed. |
2010 | The two carriages are restored with replicas of the original interiors and painted in the original blue and daffodil yellow on the outside. |
2013 | 125 years of the Nerobergbahn is celebrated with a programme of anniversary events. Record number of passengers for the year: 306,217. |
2016 | General renovation of both carriages. |
2018 | Big festival for the railway’s 130th anniversary: Families and children celebrate the occasion on the Neroberg. |