News

15.09.2026: Yes, we can do it!

We are proud to report today on the biggest project we have ever completed in a single day. It was a combination of strength, finesse and a fair bit of hard work.

As mentioned previously, we are currently working on steam locomotive 50 3682, which is due to be back in working order in due course. Unfortunately, its existing boiler is in such poor condition that repairing it would be too labour-intensive. We therefore looked for a replacement boiler that is in far better condition, even if this isn’t immediately apparent from its appearance. This boiler had previously been stored temporarily on a goods wagon.

The task last Saturday was to first lift the replacement boiler onto auxiliary bogies. These have the advantage of not being as high as the goods wagon, and they also provide better access to many parts of the boiler. The auxiliary bogies, which were actually used to transport passenger carriage bodies at the neighbouring repair workshop, had previously been adapted to safely support the round boiler.

The initial plan was to lift the boiler off the wagon using four lifting units, shunt the wagon away and manoeuvre the auxiliary bogies into position. To do this, the four lifting units – which can be operated synchronously via a central control system – first had to be precisely aligned.

The specially made cross-beams, each connecting the opposing lifting systems, were then laid out. They are fitted with special devices that prevent the round boiler from rolling away sideways. Finally, the bogie carrying the replacement boiler was manoeuvred into the workshop and positioned between the lifting systems. At last, the boiler could be lifted and the transport trolley moved away. The boiler was then placed on the auxiliary bogies and pushed in front of our locomotive shed.



After lunch, we turned our attention to the locomotive, whose existing boiler also needed to be lifted off the frame and placed on the transport trolley. We had by now gained some experience with lifting operations, so lifting the boiler off the locomotive’s running gear went quite smoothly, once we had satisfied ourselves that all connections had indeed been released.

The boiler was then lifted off the frame. This required a keen eye to ensure that the hoists were running in perfect synchronisation and that the boiler was lifted evenly. Finally, the boiler was set down on the goods wagon, and the running gear and wagon were manoeuvred to the locations where they were to be stored for further work. By dusk, everything was in its place.



Dear readers, you can probably imagine that this was a mammoth task, one that initially filled us with a great deal of respect. After all, we’d never done anything like this ourselves before, and moving such large and heavy parts always carries a certain risk. We are therefore particularly proud and delighted that everything went according to plan. Thank you to the team – you’re the best! We would also like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to Schienenfahrzeugwerke Wittenberge for their logistical support.

The operation described above went largely unnoticed amidst the museum’s weekend activities. It is worth mentioning here that the Berlin/Brandenburg Chrysler Meet took place on our premises. A good two dozen Chrysler and Dodge cars were positioned photogenically across the museum grounds and were there for visitors to admire.

On Sunday, a truly remarkable classical concert also took place as part of the ‘Klanglandschaft Prignitz’ series of events. Well over a hundred members of the audience didn’t want to miss out on the pleasure. We’d like to say thank you for coming and for your support of the musicians. We’re already looking forward to the next concert in our hall.




So now we turn our attention to our next event in early October. As always, it promises to be great fun. We are already looking forward to the visit of the railcar from Neustrelitz, with which we will be offering special trips to the harbour in Wittenberge and to Osterburg. More details on this in the next newsletter in a few days’ time.overview