Martin Luther (steam locomotive)

The Dampflokomobil " Martin Luther" is an industrial monument on the National Road B2 near the Namibian town of Swakopmund. It is named after the reformer Martin Luther according to his pronouncement: "Here I stand, I can do no other, God help me. Amen. " Named.

Steam engine was to the beginning of the 20th century in German South-West Africa introduced for transport so as to replace the complicated and time-consuming 8-day transport by ox cart through the Namib desert. Due to their high weight, the steam engine sank regularly in the desert sand and had to be made ​​ready for use once again by long excavation. The problem was the high water consumption of the mobile and the associated problems of water procurement in the Namib. Therefore, the Mobile managed only about 25 kilometers in three months and were therefore significantly less efficient than the traditional ox-cart.

For a time the steam engine was used only as a trip companion for wealthy residents of Swakopmund and drove only about 15 km into the desert. The Dampflokomobil with the current name " Martin Luther" remained at its current location in the sand and disintegrated increasingly.

Restoration

Mid-1990s was started at Arandis with the restoration of Dampflokomobils and this brought to completion to their original location. Here is a small museum building ( Martin Luther Museum ) was built to protect. The museum is open free of charge to interested visitors.