Could this unassuming object be a silent guardian? Right here stands the Prellbock. It is a remnant of Essen’s industrious past. Specifically, this Prellbock is near the former Ringlokschuppen of the Krupp locomotive factory on the M1 site.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Essen in the early 20th century. The Krupp family’s influence loomed large. Their steelworks and factories shaped the city’s landscape. Following the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles shifted Krupp’s focus. They transitioned from armaments to peacetime products. Among these was the construction of locomotives and wagons.
The Krupp Lokomotiv- und Waggonbaufabrik, or LOWA, was born. It became a significant part of Krupp’s Gussstahlfabrik. The factory complex included Halls M1, M2, and M3. A dedicated railway network supported the industrial activities. From 1919 to 1997, Krupp built trains here.
Now, think about the machines and workers that once filled this area. The air crackled with energy. Steam engines hissed. Hammers rang against metal. The Prellbock was a vital safety feature. It marked the end of the line. It prevented railcars from going beyond a safe point.
The M1 hall near the Prellbock was impressive. Built in 1937, it spanned 40,000 square meters. Its height reached over 30 meters. Inside, cranes with a lifting capacity of up to 150 tons moved locomotives. The hall saw heavy damage during World War II, but it was rebuilt.
After the war, the factory repaired locomotives. With the Allies’ permission, about a thousand locomotives were repaired by 1949. This helped rebuild Germany’s damaged transportation network.
Later, Krupp received new construction orders. These came from the mining sector, industry, and the German Federal Railways. They also got export orders from Asia and Africa. The product range grew to include wagons and railway infrastructure parts.
By 1955, Krupp added a test track. The 1,100-meter track had six rails. This accommodated different gauges for export orders. It even featured overhead lines with varying voltages for electric locomotives.
However, times changed. By the late 1980s, Hall M1 was no longer a production site. It became a storage area. In 1991, Krupp sold the M1 site to the City of Essen. The city developed the M1 Gewerbepark, a commercial area. The M1 hall was demolished in 1995 because it was no longer economically viable.
Today, the Prellbock is one of the few relics of that era. A steel fragment of Hall M1 stands nearby. These remnants remind us of Essen’s transformation from industrial giant to modern city. The Prellbock stands as a solid reminder of Essen’s contribution to railway history.