Prepare to be amazed by the Historische Dampfmaschine. It is not just a machine. It’s a testament to a bygone era of Saxon engineering.
This Historische Dampfmaschine represents a key piece of river history. It powers the Raddampfer Diesbar. The Diesbar is a paddle steamer. It is part of Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt’s fleet. This fleet is the oldest and largest in the world.
The Raddampfer Diesbar houses the world’s oldest working river steamer engine. The engine was built in 1841. The Diesbar itself was built in 1884. This makes it a unique vessel. It combines a historic engine with a late 19th-century design.
Imagine the scene. Lukas Häusler, fulfilling his childhood dream, works as a machinist on the Diesbar. Alongside three colleagues, this 23-year-old tends to the 138-year-old steamer. Häusler manually feeds the 60 to 70-degree hot coal burner. This powers the 180-ton vessel along the Elbe.
The Diesbar stands out. It is the only steamer in the fleet still traditionally coal-fired. This adds to its charm and historical significance. The Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt maintains nine paddle steamers. These ships remind us of a past era. These ships reliably operate daily. They glide between Riesa and Bad Schandau. Their steam engines and paddle wheels tell a story of technology.
The Dresden is the fleet’s flagship. It was built in 1926. It is a symbol of the company’s history. The fleet faced challenges. It survived wars. It adapted to changing times. In 2020, the company was bought by United Rivers.
Each ship offers unique features. These include controlled paddles. These enhance efficiency. The ships have viewing windows. These offer views of the paddle wheels. Openings in the deck provide a look at the steam engine.
The Diesbar, as a coal-fired steamer, uses about 450 kg of coal per hour. Other steamers converted to heating oil. They use about 100 to 120 liters per hour.
The Historische Dampfmaschine allows cruises. The cruise will pass landmarks. This includes the Brühlsche Terrasse. See the Blue Wonder bridge. View Pillnitz Castle. The Festung Königstein and Sächsische Schweiz are also visible.
The Diesbar was originally named Pillnitz until 1927. Then, it was the Pillnitz until 1952. It was then called Weltfrieden until 1993. This demonstrates that ship names evolved over time.
Consider the parade of ships on May 1st each year. The nine historic paddle steamers gather. They pass the Elbe castles. They go under the Loschwitz Bridge. Each ship has a band. They create a festive atmosphere.
The Historische Dampfmaschine is a link to Dresden’s history. It is more than just metal and steam. It’s a living, breathing piece of Saxon heritage.