Restoration of Ruhrthaler Locomotive 2418 in 2025 - 2026

The DFKM acquired the locomotive from Siemer & Müller more than 40 years ago. As Locomotive 24, it was in service at the DFKM in Deinste for several years.

© H. Vogel Ruhrthaler, recoloured (as it appeared before 2000)
Ruhrthaler after more than 20 years in storage

At that time, the DFKM had not yet built the current locomotive shed, and the locomotive was left uncovered outdoors. As a result, the locomotive’s engine suffered water damage because the exhaust pipe was not adequately covered. For this reason, the faulty locomotive was taken out of service around 20 years ago. The previous owner (Siemer & Müller) had replaced the original Mercedes-Benz engine with a Deutz diesel engine.

Ruhrthaler KML7 in service / © Förderverein Schroederstollen e.V.

The main difference between the DFKM’s Locomotive 34 and the standard Ruhrthaler (see picture above) is the driver’s cab. This was added by the previous owner to make the locomotive better suited to construction site operations. The Ruhrthaler G42 was actually intended for use in underground mining. This is why the locomotive has such a narrow silhouette. To accommodate the cooling fan for the KHD engine, a bulge was added to the right-hand side of the bonnet.

Images courtesy of: Maren Brodale-Klötzer

The first step was to completely remove the superstructure from the locomotive. The existing engine was removed and sold to a collector. A Deutz F4L 514 was procured, including a suitable coupling for the intermediate gearbox.

DFKM team members with the locomotive’s removed gearbox

The original gearbox on the Ruhrtaler was unusable. The cover beneath the gearbox was broken and was replaced with a new one.

The locomotive’s frame had to be modified so that the engine could be installed.

The entire locomotive (all parts) was sanded down and then re-primed, repainted and prepared for installation. Two metal panels on the driver’s cab had to be replaced as they were severely corroded. The windows and frames were also rebuilt.

Once the frame had been adjusted, the engine and intermediate gearbox could be fitted. The bodywork then had to be bolted back onto the locomotive. A particular challenge was fitting the exhaust in such a way that the exhaust gases could be channelled through the original exhaust chamber in the frame. A additional benefit of this arrangement is that rain can no longer enter the engine via the exhaust.
The electrical system was completely overhauled. The lights come from a VT 98 railbus, but they suit the locomotive quite well.

The restoration started in the spring of 2025 and continued until the summer of 2026. This was one of the more complex projects undertaken by the DFKM. The club members contributed around 700 working hours to the restoration of the locomotive. As a result, all of the DFKM’s diesel locomotives are now operational again.

The restored Ruhrthaler in May 2026 (courtesy of Ch. Grimm)

During the Museum Days, the DFKM uses the Ruhrthaler 2418 as the locomotive for the enclosed passenger carriages and for the open tipper-car train.