Stellwerk Köln-Dünnwald

The Köln-Dünnwald Signal Box is a museum of railway signalling and telecommunications technology. It occupies the building of a former signal box at the disused Köln-Dünnwald operating station.

At a glance

• Museum since: 2011 (built up in the old signal-box building)
• Location: Cologne-Dünnwald
• Highlights: working interlocking systems, a railway operations simulation
• Visiting: on request and on regular open dates

Technology to set and switch

The centrepiece is the preserved DrS2 push-button interlocking system, whose relay technology is clearly visible behind glass. There is also a fully working electronic interlocking (type SIMIS B) rebuilt from Essen-Kupferdreh, and a reconstructed telephone exchange. A fascinating glimpse of the often hidden technology that keeps railway operations safe.