Alte Dreherei, Railway workshop building in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany

Alte Dreherei is the oldest surviving building of the former Speldorf railway repair works in Mülheim an der Ruhr: a brick hall of three naves built in 1874, over 2,000 square metres in area, with round-arched windows and a stepped frieze. Originally 70 metres long and 27 metres wide, it was extended to 90 metres in 1909. The wooden roof structure survives from the construction period, resting on two rows of 22 steel columns; only the supporting frame of the 1909 extension is entirely steel.

Alte Dreherei is the oldest surviving building of the former Speldorf railway repair works in Mülheim an der Ruhr. The brick hall was erected in 1874 and extended in 1909 from 70 to 90 metres in length; only the supporting frame of that extension is entirely of steel. The Deutsche Bundesbahn last used it as a turning shop, closing operations at the end of March 1959. The hall stood empty until 2008 and has been a listed monument since 1991.

The building serves as a community center today, hosting technical displays and model railway collections that visitors can explore. People come here to learn about traditional craftsmanship and industrial heritage connected to railways.

The site is accessible during special events and guided tours are offered on select days. It helps to plan ahead and wear comfortable shoes, as the interior spaces are quite large.

The roof structure survives entirely from the 1874 construction: two rows of 22 steel columns carry a multi-part wooden hanging truss. Only the supporting frame of the 1909 extension, which lengthened the hall from 70 to 90 metres, is made completely of steel.