130 YEARS KRAUSS NR.4
130 Years of Nostalgia on Rails
The Oldest Steam Locomotive of the Minièresbunn Doihl Celebrates Its Anniversary
While Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was discovering X-rays in 1895, a remarkable little steam locomotive was leaving the workshops of the Krauss company in Munich. Today, 130 years later, it still travels through the Minett Park Fond-de-Gras, captivating train enthusiasts and nostalgia lovers alike.
Locomotive No. 4, carefully maintained by members of the Minièresbunn Doihl association, is a true gem with a fascinating history.
Originally, it was used at the foundry in Steinfort, before being put to work during the Second World War in a leather factory in Wiltz. Later, it was nearly scrapped, but a railway enthusiast, Mr. Baldauff, rescued it. For nearly 40 years, he happily displayed the little locomotive once a month on Sundays to passers-by who stopped by his garden, located not far from Boulevard Royal in Luxembourg City — a scene that brings a smile today.
After the owner’s death, the locomotive was transferred to the Service des sites et monuments nationaux (now the National Institute for Architectural Heritage) and eventually made its way to the Minett Park, where it became a true attraction.
Despite its modest 30 horsepower — for comparison, the association’s more modern electric locomotives generate around 160 horsepower — the locomotive holds its own.
Thanks to its larger firebox compared to other steam locomotives, it reaches the required temperature particularly quickly. After about four hours, it’s ready to operate — of course, the water in the boiler must be heated slowly and gently to preserve the equipment.
Due to the low friction between its wheels and the rails, this type of locomotive can still pull loads, despite its age and limited power.
Its past also remains visible: during a careful restoration in 2002 at the steam locomotive workshop in Meiningen, Germany, a decision was made not to remove the impact holes in the driver’s cab. These marks — silent witnesses to the turbulent war years — add to the locomotive’s unique character.
Today, the little locomotive travels through the picturesque landscape between Fond-de-Gras and Doihl in France, offering visitors an immersion into the era of Luxembourg’s iron ore mining from the last century. Those who wish to experience it up close should not miss a ride on board – after all, it’s not every day you come across a 130-year-old locomotive that takes you back in time.