Tourist Excursion: Visit to Fond-de-Gras; Plans for New Railway Museum

On Tuesday 5 August 2025, Luxembourg's Minister for Culture and Minister Delegate for Tourism, Eric Thill, invited members of the press to participate in a tourist excursion exploring the southern Minett region and its industrial heritage.

Following the first stop at Parc Merveilleux in Bettembourg, the excursion continued with a visit to the Fond-de-Gras industrial site, part of the Minett Park and now rehabilitated as a cultural and tourist park.

Participants travelled to Pétange to board the "Train 1900". This historical steam train runs between Pétange and Fond-de-Gras on Sundays and public holidays (except Luxembourg's National Day) from May to September. The train operates on the former "Mining Line", which opened in 1874 and closed in 1963. A decade later, volunteers revived the line, founding the Association des Musée et Tourisme Ferroviaires asbl (AMTF) Train 1900 in 1970 and opening the tourist train to the public in 1973.

During the steam train ride, Minister Thill, together with representatives of Train 1900, the Minett Park Fond-de-Gras and the National Institute for Architectural Heritage (INPA), presented plans for a new railway museum: the future "Zuchmusée", officially titled the "Centre National du Patrimoine Ferroviaire" (CNPF; national centre for railway heritage). The museum will be located on a plot of land in Pétange that is connected to the Train 1900 track. The project, a collaboration between the INPA, the CFL railway company and the municipality, with government support, is still in its conceptual phase. Ultimately, the site is expected to house the existing railway heritage collection and serve museum, educational, pedagogical and scientific functions.

Minister Thill noted that similar institutions exist abroad, such as the National Railway Museum in York (UK) and the Railway Museum in Utrecht (Netherlands), which have proven successful. The minister underlined the potential of such a site, both in terms of boosting tourism and showcasing the Grand Duchy's railway heritage to residents and visitors alike. He also pointed to the responsible reuse of existing material and the project's pedagogical value.

Arriving at the Minett Park Fond-de-Gras, Minister Thill, accompanied by Pétange aldermen Romain Mertzig and Guy Brecht and other guests, visited the railway shed housing steam and diesel locomotives, historic railcars, passenger coaches and wagons. This equipment, maintained by the AMTF Train 1900 with support from ProActif, is being restored by volunteers committed to preserving and sharing Luxembourg’s industrial heritage. Minister Thill commended these volunteers for their dedication and passion over the years.

Train 1900 board member Oliver Broy thanked the minister for his continued support. He explained that the historic train runs about 80 days per year and that the non-profit organisation currently has around 60 members of different ages. Technical know-how is passed down through the generations. Train 1900 also organises a range of activities, from school and corporate visits to birthday parties.

One of the highlights of the year at Fond-de-Gras is the Steampunk Convention which, according to Minett Park Director Robyn Wehles, attracts between 10,000 and 12,000 visitors. The next edition is scheduled for Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 2025.

During the site visit, guests viewed several restored locomotives, wagons and passenger coaches, including a 1920 Cockerill 503, operated by Train 1900 since 2002. Volunteers were hard at work on restoration projects, including repainting trains in CFL wine-red livery, with help from students.

Since the 1980s, the State, via the National Sites and Monuments Service, which became the INPA in 2022, has preserved and restored some of the equipment gradually decommissioned by the CFL. At the same time, associations have helped maintain these locomotives, railcars and wagons in collaboration with the INPA and the CFL, while also building up their own collections. Volunteer-led associations ensure the maintenance, preparation for circulation and operation of these vehicles.

In 2025, 24 locomotives or railcars and 48 historic wagons are technically in working order or undergoing maintenance. As for immobilised historic rolling stock, 34 engines are in the possession of the State, the CFL or associations. Most of these objects are classified as national cultural heritage. Over the years, these historic engines have been parked in several locations made available by the CFL.

The Fond-de-Gras site also hosts a "Kabaischen": a former train wagon converted into an overnight lodge with a sauna, available for bookings. It is one of eleven "Kabaisercher" located along the Minett Trail.

Following the behind-the-scenes look at locomotives and railcars, participants in the tourist excursion stopped for lunch at the on-site restaurant (Bei der Giedel), before continuing the afternoon with a ride on the "Minièresbunn" (article to follow).