Railway fans will get their moneyâs worth in Strasshof in the Marchfeld region. Here, in the so-called Heizhaus Museum, you can view 8 operational steam locomotives and around 150 rail vehicles over 100 years old on more than 85,000mÂČ of open-air grounds with historic facilities. On certain days of the year, these old locomotives are brought back to life, and you can be transported back to days gone by and take a ride in the driverâs cab of a steam locomotive. For children, the Heizhaus Museum in Strasshof offers plenty of action, because here the kids can play train driver and let small locomotives whizz around model layouts. We visited the Heizhaus Museum with our twins on a steam operating day and were completely thrilled. We especially liked the great variety; here you can see many things, but also actively take part. The children liked steering the trains themselves and the ride on the garden railway the most. Here I would like to report in more detail about the attractions at the Heizhaus Museum in Strasshof:
Attractions at the Heizhaus Museum in Strasshof
Model railways
Immediately after the entrance area, where you can pay the admission fee, there are already several display cases with small models of trains and wagons along the corridor on the left. There are some ranging from very old locomotives and wagons to the new Wiesel. These Kleinbahn models have been around for a very long time, and some vehicles now already have collectorâs value. That is why the prices for these Kleinbahn models are not exactly cheap and can sometimes be quite high.
I think they are so great because they have been recreated in such faithful detail. Of course, they come into their own even better when they are allowed to run. Here, model railway enthusiasts can really let loose. There are plenty of accessories for a model railway, so that proper landscapes and towns can be created. In the Heizhaus Museum there are models in various sizes with trains running around.
Model railway for steering yourself
In the adjoining room there is a model of a railway layout in H0 scale, where children or young-at-heart adults can steer the trains themselves.
By inserting only ⏠0.50, the locomotives can whizz around and bring the pretty landscape to life using the 3 available controllers.
This railway is completely behind glass and has been displayed with a beautiful landscape. The trains disappear into tunnels, and there is also a small town.
The H0 model railway
A truly very large Kleinbahn model is located in the last room. Several trains run around in the middle of a huge landscape. The landscape has been wonderfully created with loving craftsmanship; here the trains pass small villages, disappear into tunnels, and stop at stations.
This track layout has various focal points, centered around the double-track main line. The landscape design can be divided into 3 eras: the left part of the layout has been recreated as a rural area from the 1920s, where, in addition to the main line, a single-track branch line can also be found.
In the middle section, a small town from the 1950sâ60s has been created, with a main station as its focal point. A replica of the coaling facility from the Strasshof Railway Museum can also be found here. The buildings on the other side are mostly kits, but also custom constructions that were often lovingly assembled at home. What is really great here is that many things are equipped with lighting, so street lamps or a large part of the buildings are illuminated.
For a model railway enthusiast, it is clearly evident here that a great deal of effort and work has been put into it, and you cannot help but marvel at the large illuminated layout.
The old station
A highlight for me, because as soon as I enter this old station and see the old locomotives and benches, I feel transported back in time. There are many locomotives here that are quite a few years old, but are still very well preserved. At the very back you are not allowed to go any farther, because that is where the workshop is, where the locomotives and wagons are repaired.
You have to be careful at the crossings, as there are shafts here again and again where the locomotives can also be repaired from below.
Museum
On the 1st floor of the Heizhaus there is also an exhibition with all kinds of things related to railways. Old timetables, tickets, or even an old bench with faithfully detailed suitcases can be viewed here.
The history of the Heizhaus Museum is very interesting. In 1939, a very large station for steam locomotives was planned on this site, with water cranes and coal elevators. Due to constant delays caused by changes in planning, construction did not begin until 1944 and was completed in 1947. After the Second World War, the changed traffic conditions made this facility appear oversized. On 31.12.1976, the last scheduled steam locomotives departed from Strasshof. I find the detail interesting that it was precisely on the Northern Railway that the last standard-gauge steam locomotive took its farewell, on the very route where, exactly 140 years earlier, Austriaâs first steam locomotives had run.
In 1978 the facility was finally closed, and everything was supposed to be demolished. Thanks to the 1st öSEK, which persistently campaigned for its preservation, the demolition was prevented and this historic site was preserved; on 1.6.1983 it was handed over to the 1st öSEK. With numerous renovation, repair, and preservation works, hard work was done to make it possible to show these historic vehicles to the public. The Heizhaus opened as a museum exactly on 1.4.1984, making these historic treasures accessible to visitors.
N-scale model railway layout
This model railway layout in N scale has been set up in an old wagon on the platform. These truly small and delicate trains and landscapes were lovingly built into a really large area in painstaking, time-consuming detail work.
The theme of the layout is the OberallgĂ€u. The station âOberstdorfâ is presented here in winter, with lots of snow. You can also find the town of âFischenâ with its station and a large beer festival, âImmenstadt,â including its station, all of which takes place in summer. At the end, and almost by the exit, there is also a large railway depot.
Children have also been taken into account here again: there is a bench along the entire model railway layout where the children can watch too. At the exit you marvel at the many lights and lines showing the routes of the trains, which are controlled there by a professional.
The locomotives and wagons
The tracks can be crossed safely by means of a bridge, and you reach more locomotives and wagons. Numerous trains are displayed here, some of which you can look inside or climb onto. It is fascinating to be able to look at the locomotives up close, or to take a seat in old wagons. The tracks are full of locomotives and wagons, and you can really spend hours here looking at everything.
For our children, it was really great that they could also touch something and climb inside. I was fascinated by the locomotives from the Austro-Hungarian era, or by a gigantic locomotive with a snow blower.
Driverâs cab rides
On operating days, the Heizhaus Museum brings at least one steam locomotive back to life, and not only that: it is possible to ride in the driverâs cab.
During our visit, both a beautiful steam locomotive and a diesel locomotive were running. For a small contribution of ⏠3,â or ⏠4,â, you can ride a short distance in the driverâs cab of these old locomotives. A really wonderful experience, like a journey through time.
(As of 2013)
Be sure to note the dates here: Events at the Heizhaus Museum
The garden railway
Another highlight, especially for children: in the garden of the Heizhaus Museum there is a garden railway where you can take a round trip through the grounds for only ⏠1,â. The track length currently covers approx. 2000 m, 24 switches, and a transfer table with loading crane.
After the station, you ride to the roads of the model trucks, through a tunnel, and past the station. Then it continues past a great many railway traffic signs and past the Heizhaus Museum to the final stop, the station where you boarded. Incidentally, the tunnel is the only one here in the Marchfeld.
When we were visiting, a small steam locomotive with real steam was also running, with space for around 4 people.
If you do not want to ride along, you can also rest on a bench here and wait peacefully for the passengers.
Garden model railway
Once the tracks of the garden railway have been crossed â careful, there is also a real traffic light here â Â you reach a garden model railway. This model railway is really large and has been designed with beautiful details. To be able to see better, there are also stairs on the left-hand side, where you can overlook the whole area from a slightly elevated position. Many beautiful details have been built in here, so you can spend a while here to really take everything in. Can you find the helicopter on the mountain? Or the couple happily swinging on the porch swing?
On the right-hand side you can see the model layout for model trucks. On steam days, remote-controlled trucks, construction vehicles, tanks, and trial vehicles run here. The model truckers like to meet here and set the layout in motion together.
During our visit, there were lots of trucks, lorries, excavators, and a forklift. The forklift was great, because it transported very small flowerpots. Our children watched in fascination.
LGB model railway for children
The next highlight for children: a model railway has been built here especially for the little ones, where small train drivers are allowed to steer a train themselves. The children can sit on a bench and choose one of the 3 available locomotives and whizz back and forth.
During our visit, there was a choice of an ICE, a small locomotive, and a large locomotive. If you are here with children, be sure to allow more time, because this model is highly sought after by the little train drivers; of course, each locomotive has to be run at least once.
Food & rest
Right by the entrance is the buffet wagon, where you are very well looked after. There are refreshments and also snacks such as sausages, rolls, or sweets. In the souvenir wagon right next to it, souvenirs and nice accessories for railway fans can be bought.
In good weather, the outdoor seating area invites you to rest and enjoy. Benches for resting are set up throughout the grounds, and even after crossing the bridge and walking along the old locomotives and wagons, resting places can be found again and again.
Toilets and a changing area are located right behind the buffet wagon in the old station.
For children who need a little break from the railways, there is a small playground with a swing and seesaw by the garden railway.
guided tours
Anyone who wants to know everything in detail should choose a guided tour. Here you will get an overview of the history of the railway, the railway collection, and the progress of the restoration work.
Children's birthday party
An unforgettable birthday party can be held for children at the Heizhaus Museum. The young birthday guests can take part in a childrenâs tour and ride on the garden railway. Of course, a cake in the shape of a railway train is a must, as well as a snack for the hungry train drivers. The price for this extraordinary birthday is a flat rate of ⏠15,â per child.
(As of 2013)
Conclusion
The Heizhaus Museum is a clear highlight for an excursion in the Marchfeld region for railway lovers. Both small and large railway fans get their moneyâs worth here. The operating days or steam operating days in particular make for a truly wonderful day at the Heizhaus Museum. Our children were absolutely thrilled that they were allowed to steer trains themselves and ride on this garden railway.
I personally also really enjoyed the excursion to the Heizhaus Museum. I think it is great when the children (and I as well) can actively do something, which is why I find this museum very special, because just looking at everything becomes too boring for children over time.
Extra tip: Choose clothing that can also get dirty. Choose practical and sturdy trousers, as children (and adults too) can climb onto locomotives and trains. The grounds can be accessed with a stroller; only the N-scale model railway layout cannot be entered with a buggy.
Contact
Strasshof Railway Museum
SillerstraĂe 123
A-2231 Strasshof an der Nordbahn
Tel. no.: +43 2287 / 3027-11
Email:Â [email protected]
Web:Â www.eisenbahnmuseum-heizhaus.com
Photos by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
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