Between 1890 and 1969 there were over 200 kilometres of narrow-gauge tram lines in the Bergisches Land. A full 3.3 kilometres between Wuppertal-Kohlfurth and Cronenberg have been preserved. The tram enthusiasts of the Bergische Museumsbahnen association took care of this remaining section in 1973. The line, which was put into service by Barmer Bergbahn AG in 1914, overcomes 153 metres in altitude and is part of the former link between the major cities of Wuppertal and Solingen. It was in operation until 1969.
The listed tramway line provides access to the scenic Kaltenbachtal, a side valley of the Wupper. In addition to many hiking opportunities, numerous relics from the time of the early industrialisation of the Bergisches Land can be explored here.
A total of 30 historic trams from the Bergisches Land and the Ruhr area built between 1894 and 1960 are part of the association's collection, which is located at the Kohlfurth Bridge. In the workshop available here, the tram vehicles are also carefully restored by volunteer members of the association. On the route, some of these vehicles are used on the days of operation to provide a regular service every 30 minutes as in earlier times. In addition, the trams can also be hired for extra journeys.
The Manuelskotten, a location of the Wuppertal Museum of Industrial Culture, is located in the immediate vicinity of the museum line. With its six-metre-tall overshot water wheel, it is open between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the days of travel and offers insights into the working world of the early mining small iron industry. In this Kotten, built around 1900, special knives are still ground manually by water power on working days.
Bergisch Tram Museum
Bergische Museumsbahnen
Kohlfurther Brücke 57
42349 Wuppertal
Germany
+49 (0) 202 - 470251
Homepage
Recommended duration of visit: | 1,5 Hours |
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Duration of a guided tour: | 45 Minutes |
Admission: | Free |
Access for persons with disabilities: | For details see website |
Infrastructure for children: | |
Catering: | |
Gift and book shop on site: | yes |
Operating yard and museum
May to October: Saturday, Sunday, public holidays 11am-5pm
November to April: Saturday 11am-5pm
Tram trips
April to October every second and fourth Sunday (charge)