Meiningen Steam Festival 2023: The Return of a Historic Spectacle

Meiningen’s 26th Steam Festival took place on 02 and 03 September 2023 at the city’s steam locomotive plant following a three-year Covid-19 hiatus. Dampflokwerk Meiningen is the last large maintenance plant operated by Deutsche Bahn AG for steam locomotives in Western Europe. by Tobias Heitmüller

The event attracted a large number of steam locomotive fans. My visit started with a tour of the plant which engages in the repair, reconditioning und overhaul of steam locomotives as well as the refurbishing of diesel locomotives, snow ploughs and passenger coaches. Visitors were treated to a display of historical railway technology and heavy machinery.

Various associations from all over Germany exhibited steam loco series on the outside grounds. One particular highlight was a 1935 replica of the “Adler”, the first working steam locomotive used in Germany, which was rebuilt on the premises in 2007. Vintage cars were also on display.

The weekend ended with a hiking tour in the Thuringian Rhön mountains. The next steam loco festival is planned for the first weekend in September 2024. If you buy your ticket at Meiningen Tourist Information, you avoid the long queues at the ticket offices.