Bahnbetriebswerk Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck, Railway depot museum in Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Bahnbetriebswerk Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck is a railway depot complex featuring a 23-meter turntable and a 16-track roundhouse structure. The main building houses a central hall with an axle pit and crane system designed for locomotive maintenance and repairs.
The facility was built between 1924 and 1926, replacing an older roundhouse from 1876. It was the largest steam locomotive depot in the Ruhr region until it closed in 1981.
The site takes its name from the Bismarck area nearby and is cared for by enthusiasts who offer regular tours to visitors. People can experience the craftsmanship of locomotive maintenance and see how a historical railway depot functioned as a working facility.
The depot is open to visitors on Saturdays by appointment, with entrance fees charged to support the site. It is advisable to book in advance since visitor numbers are limited and tours are conducted regularly.
In 2023, Spanish railway company CAF acquired the site to build maintenance facilities for modern battery-powered trains. The historic roundhouse structure remains preserved as a protected monument despite this new industrial use.
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