Bergische Museumsbahnen
The Bergisch Tram Museum (BSM ) is a museum in Wuppertal- Kohlfurth, which is devoted to the goal to remember the numerous and varied street railway companies in the Bergische Land. Operator is the voluntary association " Bergische heritage railways eV", which currently has one of the smallest street railway companies in the world.
History
Occasion for the establishment of the tram museum were the ever progressive closure of the street railway companies in the Bergische Land. The trams in and around Wuppertal revealed together with over 300 km once the fourth longest tram network in Germany.
The lines were converted gradually to operation with buses. First, the extensive overland routes have been dismantled, and finally the towns of Solingen, Remscheid and Wuppertal were tram- free. In Wuppertal, the last tram ran in 1987. Suggested Therefore, the desire to remember the time the tram in the Bergisch. In 1969 founded the association " Bergische heritage railways eV", which in 1973 a 3.2 km-long meterspuriges distance piece between Wuppertal- Kohlfurth and Wuppertal- Cronenberg acquired, that had been a part of the overland line 5 ( Wuppertal -Solingen ) to 1969.
In the following years, the track was renovated. In addition to several hundred meters of new tracks and a few kilometers new copper contact wire also has its own power supply has been established. The rectifier station "Am bulk " was put into operation in 1989, so was again electric driving on the route possible.
The depot was built in the grounds Kohlfurth, on a site near the former station and in close proximity to the 1893 built Wupper bridge. First, some sidings were built, and even in the 1970s, they began work on their own to build a workshop, a storage and exhibition hall, which was completed in 1989 under construction. Thus, the first time it was possible the majority of vehicle collection with observed weather protected.
After 1991, the concession was granted to set up on the refurbished piece of track to the stop Friedrich hammer a heritage railway operation, the museum was opened in 1992 by the then Prime Minister John Rau. For driving initially were two railcars available. A year later, the club was able to take advantage of the additional section to the stop Kaltenbach in operation since 1997, the trams to the current terminus abomination. In addition, another railcar could be put into operation again, followed by two more on the operative railcars in 1999.
In 2006 the construction of the vehicle hall could be terminated after the onset of the last components, a workshop cultivation followed in 2008. Between 2005 and 2008 several vehicles from different occasions outside the Kohlfurth were used for the 40th club anniversary in 2009 finally was able to work up a sixth railcar be completed.
On the currently navigable section of the course between Kohlfurth and abominations regular tram rides on selected Sundays and public holidays will take place. The tram museum itself can be visited outside of operating days during the weekend. Annually more than 30,000 visitors this offer, which the Bergische tram museum is the most visited museum two most common Wuppertal.
Museum route
The museum trail starts about 50 m east of the Kohlfurther bridge. There is the custodian of the vehicle bodywork and a book store, which is housed in a tramcar. A Ausziehgleis is to Kohlfurther bridge, there ends today the route. To the east of the depot, the route winds to the south, then to follow after a 180 ° curve Kaltenbachtal the north. The current terminus is abomination, a recommissioning of the next piece to Mösch Born is however planned for some time. In Mösch Born as a twin- track end terminus available.
The route overcomes a difference in altitude of about 150 meters, which means that an average gradient of 5% is to deal with. The majority of the route passes through a wooded area, so it is typical for the former interurban streetcar network. Clean urban sections, the route, however, do not exhibit. Be Continue currently six of the seven stations.
Rolling stock
Overall, the club has 30 tram - train (Tw ) and sidecar ( Bw ) and some goods ( Gw ) and working Loren. Five of these vehicles currently come (as of 2012) in the current passenger service on the Museum gap for use, a railcar is awarded long term and an additional two engines and a sidecar are in working up and will return to passenger service in the coming years. For maintenance work on the track, there are three trolleys (ATW ) and two Loren running condition, although the remaining vehicles are mostly ready to drive, but parked without authorization and in unrestored condition.
Driving
Driving made from April to October every on the second and fourth Sunday of the month and on Whit Sunday and Monday instead.