Chemnitz residents are invited to pull a locomotive in several teams. The "pull along" is part of the opening ceremony for the Capital of Culture year on 18 January 2025 and a throwback to 19th century Chemnitz. Back then, the locomotives built in Richard Hartmann's machine factory were transported to the railway station by horse-drawn carriages due to a lack of railway sidings. During a pulling test at the Saxon Railway Museum, the first volunteers discovered that 12 to 14 people were needed to move the "Hegel" steam locomotive.
The locomotive, built in 1886 at the Sächsische Maschinenfabrik vormals Richard Hartmann AG, is one of the exhibits at the Saxon Railway Museum in Chemnitz-Hilbersdorf (Schauplatz Eisenbahn). To mark the start of the Capital of Culture year, this locomotive will be transported from the museum to Chemnitz city centre, where it will be pulled 35 metres at a time from the central station to Brückenstraße by a total of eight teams of 12 to 14 people from 18:00.
Anyone who would like to take part can register with the Chemnitz 2025 volunteer team from now until the end of December. Both groups and individuals can take part. The only condition is that you must be at least 18 years old.
Registration and detailed information on participation on 18 January 2025 can be obtained from Anton Schneider in the Chemnitz 2025 volunteer team:
Email: anton.schneider(at)chemnitz2025.de
Phone: 037167600095 or 0151 46694616.
The headquarters of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 is located in a renovated former factory building of the locomotive manufacturer Richard Hartmann. The Chemnitz 2025 Visitor and Information Centre will also open there from 18 January.
