Bahnbetriebswerk Rosenheim

Situated in the picturesque town of Rosenheim in Upper Bavaria, the Bahnbetriebswerk Rosenheim is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the rich history of German railway operations. This former railway depot, known for its significant contributions to the railway industry, offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of train travel and maintenance over the decades.

The Early Days: Provisional and Initial Workshop

The story of Bahnbetriebswerk Rosenheim began with the completion of the Maximilian Railway from Munich to Kufstein. The arrival of the first train at the Rosenheim station on October 24, 1857, marked the beginning of the establishment of facilities for the operational machinery service. Initially, a provisional workshop was set up in the area known today as Innleite. By November 1858, the first official workshop was operational, located on the western side of the tracks near the then-reception building, now serving as the town hall. The centerpiece of this facility was a semi-circular shed with 19 stands, flanked by workshop extensions and a water house.

The Expansion and New Facilities

As the demand for railway services grew, so did the need for more extensive facilities. In 1872, construction began on a new station and workshop at the current location. By 1876, the new station was opened, and the old tracks and buildings were dismantled. The town of Rosenheim acquired these properties, and the old locomotive shed found new life as a warehouse, library, city archive, and gymnasium, preserving its historical significance. Since 1983, the building has been a listed monument and has served as an exhibition center of regional importance since 1988.

The New Bahnbetriebswerk: A Grand Design

The new Bahnbetriebswerk was designed with grandeur in mind. It featured two semi-circular sheds with 26 and 28 stands each, forming the core of the workshop. The site also boasted impressive workshop and administrative buildings, a water house, and a distinctive water tower added later during an expansion. Extensive facilities for wagon repair and a gas plant for lighting the wagons were also present. Additionally, there were elaborate installations for storing and drying locomotive peat.

Over time, the Bahnbetriebswerk underwent numerous expansions and adaptations to meet new requirements. By the late 1920s, the eastern turntable and its associated roundhouse were electrified, marking a significant modernization effort. In the late 1930s, a large coaling plant with a bridge crane and a sizable coal bunker was constructed, along with a third large 26-meter turntable to accommodate the wartime locomotives stationed there.

Destruction and Reconstruction

The spring of 1945 brought devastation to the Bahnbetriebswerk and the station due to several Allied air raids. The western steam locomotive shed and half of the eastern electric locomotive roundhouse were heavily damaged. Despite this, reconstruction efforts began swiftly after the war. By the 1950s, only a portion of the eastern roundhouse remained, with much of the site still operating under makeshift conditions.

In 1964, a new five-track rectangular locomotive hall with administrative and two-track wagon workshop extensions was inaugurated for steam and later diesel locomotives and railcars. A large heating house was also built next to the coaling plant, directly supplied with coal by the grab crane. The remaining part of the electric locomotive shed was demolished in the early 1960s, leaving only open stands at the remaining 22-meter turntable for electric locomotives.

The SANA: A Unique Chapter

A unique chapter in the history of Bahnbetriebswerk Rosenheim is the SANA, short for Sanierungs-Anlage, originally built in 1916 for delousing and sanitizing hospital trains and army units. Located between the Rosenheim and Kolbermoor stations, the site was later used for special loading operations, including military transports and heavy Italian traffic during the war. After the war, the SANA served as an auxiliary site for the heavily damaged Bahnbetriebswerk, eventually becoming a workshop for electric locomotives until 1951. Although the external workshop was closed in 1953, the site continued to be used for various purposes until the 1970s.

A Railway Hub

Rosenheim station and Bahnbetriebswerk quickly gained importance as a locomotive change station and junction between Munich, Salzburg, and Kufstein. In the 19th century, locomotives had a significantly shorter range, and the use of peat for locomotive firing in southern Bavaria, especially around the peat-rich Rosenheim area, played a role in this labor-intensive operation. With the opening of the shorter route from Munich via Grafing in the 1870s, traffic patterns shifted, and high-quality services often ran from Munich to Salzburg or Kufstein without a locomotive change. As a result, Rosenheim primarily handled freight and local traffic, with a high number of freight and passenger steam locomotives stationed there.

Legacy and Preservation

Today, many of the buildings and facilities of the Bahnbetriebswerk Rosenheim are no longer in use but remain standing, serving as silent witnesses to the site's storied past. The rectangular hall, heating house, and coaling crane are still present, along with remnants of the old Bavarian workshop, such as the gas plant building and the foundations of the eastern roundhouse. These relics offer a tangible connection to the history of railway operations in Rosenheim, making it a must-visit destination for railway enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

In conclusion, the Bahnbetriebswerk Rosenheim is not just a former railway depot; it is a testament to the evolution of railway technology and operations over the decades. Its historical significance and architectural features make it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the history of German railways and the industrial heritage of Bavaria.