The Zeppelin car returns to Nuremberg Triumphal!

Der historische Zeppelinwagen kehrt nach Nürnberg zurück: Partnerschaft mit Krakau, Restaurierung und geplante Inbetriebnahme 2025.
The historic Zeppelinwagen returns to Nuremberg: partnership with Krakow, restoration and planned commissioning 2025. (Symbolbild/MW)

The Zeppelin car returns to Nuremberg Triumphal!

A very special piece has returned to Nuremberg: the Zeppelinwagen 144 from 1909, which connects the two partner cities of Nuremberg and Krakow. After a comprehensive restoration in Krakow, the magnificent tram wagon was transported to Nuremberg on a low loader. Preparations for use are already in full swing. In the coming weeks there will be the last steps and the necessary approvals so that the car is ready to drive. The operators are planning to put the Zeppelinwag back into operation in autumn 2025, reports the . .

The eventful history of the Zeppelin car is fascinating. It was originally built in 1906 for the Bavarian anniversary exhibition and in 1909 as part of a series of tram wagons in Nuremberg. These "Zeppelinwagen", named according to their characteristic form, were mainly on line 6 in 1941. For many Nuremberg they are a piece of their city history. In the 1950s, the cars in Krakow were converted for various lines until they finally served as the overhead line assembly. The last Zeppelin car was parked in 1970, but the story should not end.

a close partnership and a great commitment

1979, as part of the city partnership between Nuremberg and Kraków, discovered members of the association "Friends of the Nuremberg-Fürther Ramed Railway e.V." the Zeppelin car in Poland. With a lot of passion and volunteer work, they are committed to maintaining the car, supported by donations. In the course of the partnership, the idea was born to build up its own Zeppelin car for Krakow. The necessary restoration work on both vehicles was started in November 2020 when the Nuremberg car was transported to Krakow. Around 260,000 euros were invested in the recovery, financed by donations from the association, according to the Urban Transport Magazine .

The return of the Zeppelin car to Nuremberg was recognized with a solemn event in Krakow, in which Nuremberg Mayor Christian Vogel and Mayor Jacek Majchrowski were present. Both cars have already proven their driving ability at the season opening of the historic tram line 0 in Krakow, and the Nuremberg car is now about to be given the official approval.

The return to Nuremberg

The Zeppelinwagen is currently located in the historic tram depot of St. Peter, where it is waiting for its new missions. There you not only plan trips at events in Nuremberg, but also regular missions as part of tours through the city. Almost 100 technical documents and evidence are required for commissioning, but those responsible are optimistic.

The restoration and return of the Zeppelin car is not only an important project for the history of the Nuremberg trams, but also a sign of the close connection between Nuremberg and Krakow. A nice example of how tradition and commitment go hand in hand to keep history alive. Interested parties can be found on the project website at tw144.sfnbg.de . It remains exciting how the Zeppelin car will fit into Nuremberg in the future.

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OrtNürnberg, Deutschland
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