On Thursday, 30 July 2026, the time had come. After a long journey with a significant delay on Deutsche Bahn's long-distance network, Tom Steiner and I met in the late afternoon at Frankfurt Airport. Only a short time later, the delegation from distant China was met at the gate.
The first journey on German soil began in style with a train ride. From Terminal 3 of the airport, the Skyline train took us to the car parks at Terminal 1. After the long journey, we just drove by car to the hotel, where the Asian guests were able to rest.
After a hearty breakfast the next day, the first destination was only half an hour away: the DB Museum in Koblenz-Lützel. The museum houses an impressive collection of vehicles, but only two of them aroused particular interest. The express train electric locomotive announced by BMB/Bee's Modellbahn in Ebermannstadt, the so-called 'creased-brow' E10, was meticulously measured and examined. It was impressive to observe how even the smallest details were addressed, which completely filled the day, apart from a short break.
The function of a steam locomotive was finally explained using the cut-away glass model in the museum's vehicle hall, which aroused great interest among the gentlemen from the Far East. The opportunity to experience how it works on the real thing will be offered to them later in the trip. More on that, however, in another section.
Anyone wishing to visit the DB Museum can do so at the end of September, amongst other times. The standard locomotive days will take place there on the 26th and 27th of the month, and at the same time the IG Spur 1 Mittelrhein will be visiting the vehicle hall with a large modular layout. All the necessary info can be found here: https://dbmuseum.de/koblenz/veranstaltungen/einheitslok-und-spur-1-tage-2
Now, here are a few photos from the experiences of this leg. Enjoy them!
