Discover the history: Open day at the Meissen tram depot!

Discover the history: Open day at the Meissen tram depot!

There will be a special event in Meißen on June 21st. The first “Open Day” of the Meissen section of the Saxon Railway History Initiative (ISEG) invites everyone interested to delve deeply into the history of trams. The tram depot at Jasperstrasse 11 opens its doors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Here visitors can admire original vehicles and relics of the Meissen tram and the narrow-gauge railway history. The event is not only a look back, but also a celebration of the regional transport history.

The Meißen tram was active for passenger transport from 1899 to 1936 and for freight transport until 1968 and is an important part of the city's cultural heritage. When it opened on December 16, 1899, 2,700 passengers were welcomed, laying the foundation for a popular means of transport. With a total distance of 4.6 kilometers, which led from the state train station to the terminus at Buschbad, the tram was also lovingly called the “spark carriage” because it brought people through the city, especially in its early days. Over the decades, the tram experienced a number of ups and downs, and passenger transport was finally replaced by buses in 1936.

Important exhibitions and attractions

Visitors to the “Open Day” can look forward to exciting exhibitions. A number of historical vehicles are presented at the various stands, including the freight electric locomotive No. 3 on loan from the Dresden Transport Museum as well as two freight wagons and two meter-gauge rolling stands. Of particular note is the four-axle 750 mm baggage car 974-359. These exhibits offer a unique insight into the past and development of public transport in the region.

A very special experience awaits fans of historical transport, young and old: a vintage H6B bus will commute and comfortably transport guests between different points. The stops are the Meißen bus station next to the DB train station, the Buschbad and the former tram depot in the Triebischtal. Admission to the event is free, donations are welcome to support the continuation of such projects.

A look back at tram history

The tram history in Meißen is not only important for the city. From the first road opening to the closure of freight transport after the Second World War, the means of transport has occupied a distinctive place in the hearts of citizens over the decades. Rollbock operation, which enabled transportation between different gauges, was an innovative solution that inspired other cities. The takeover of the tram by the city of Meißen in 1917 also shows how important local public transport was for the city's infrastructure.

With these historical backgrounds, the “Open Day” will not only be a showcase into the past, but also an opportunity to rekindle the fascination for railway history. Anyone who is interested in the history of trams and local public transport should definitely not miss this day. Let's discover together the exciting stories that Meißen's trams can tell us!