Railway wagon becomes an attraction: Woorke is planning a new mini-museum!

Railway wagon becomes an attraction: Woorke is planning a new mini-museum!

Christoph Harder discovered a special treasure almost five years ago - a disused railway carriage in Veikvitz that once ran between Bergen and Altenkirchen. Harder's original plan was to restore the carriage and integrate it into a new museum in Woorke, but as is often the case in life, not everything went according to plan. The original date for the lineup in August 2021 had to be postponed to October 2025, as Baltic Sea newspaper reported.

In order to move forward with the original plans, a gravel area with rail elements and information boards was prepared at the beginning of 2022. But here too there were hurdles to overcome: an illegal dump in a protected biotope meant that these preparations had to be dismantled. The district also discovered that the necessary permits were missing. While looking for a new location, Harder offered the wagon to various communities, but without success.

However, the turning point came thanks to the Pressnitztalbahn, which restored the wagon in its workshops in Saxony. Harder was able to look forward to replacing the axle, suspension and frame without incurring any costs. The wagon will function as a “mini-museum” and in the future will provide information about the northern line of the Rügen Kleinbahn, which was closed in 1970. The wagon contains pictures and exhibits donated by supporters, while the chassis is generously sponsored by the operators of the Rügensche Bäderbahn, known as Rasender Roland. Loud 99spark The wagon is also the only one preserved with two end stages, which makes it a real gem.

A new concept now calls for the wagon to be used as a hiking refuge. This solution does not require a building permit. Even though there will be no seating, heating or lighting, the wagon will be used as shelter. Harder plans to install informational signs, benches, as well as a bike rack and stairs to make access easier. Mayor Thomas Kolbe praised Harder's commitment and described the project as a new highlight for the municipality of Woorke.

The initiative to preserve historic railway vehicles and present them in the form of museums is becoming increasingly popular. There are numerous railway museums in Germany that are dedicated to the history of railways, such as this one German steam locomotive and model railway museum in Tuttlingen or the Wismar Railway Museum. These facilities contribute to the preservation of regional technical history and also offer locals and tourists exciting insights into the past.

With the upcoming “mini-museum” in Woorke, the region will not only be enriched with a new attraction, but also with a piece of living history that will delight across generations.