Foundation for the historical heritage of SBB, Memory institution and library in Windisch, Switzerland
The Foundation for the Historical Heritage of SBB is a private memory institution and library in Windisch, canton of Aargau, that holds a large collection of documents, journals, photographs, and other materials on Swiss railway history. The collection covers both technical and social aspects of the railways, spanning many decades of development.
The foundation was created in 1959 to gather documents and materials related to Swiss railway history. In 2015 it moved from Bern to a former SBB warehouse near Brugg station, where it has been based since.
The collection shows how railways shaped everyday life in Switzerland across generations, through photographs, objects, and printed materials that visitors can look through directly. Train stations appear again and again in the documents, not just as travel points but as places where communities gathered.
The library is open on weekdays and located in Windisch at a short walk from Brugg station, making it easy to reach by train. It is advisable to book a visit in advance, as access to the reading room may require an appointment.
Among the items held by the foundation is a collection of historical railway vehicles, including a Red Arrow train from the 1930s that still runs. This train is occasionally used for special events, so visitors with an interest in rolling stock may want to check for upcoming outings.
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