"Initial Road Test: Kaiserwagen making a comeback on the roads of Wuppertal"
The historic imperial carriage of the Wuppertal Suspension Railway took its first test ride in years on September 6, 2025. This significant event marks the first step towards the resumption of regular tourist operation for the venerable suspension railway train.
More nighttime test rides are needed for the re-licensing of the imperial carriage. These test runs are crucial outside of regular operation to ensure the safety and efficiency of the carriage. The source for this information is reporters on the scene and Wuppertal Stadtwerke.
During the overhaul, the wheels, supports, and safety-relevant steel hangers were found to be damaged. These components have since been repaired, and the upholstered seats with wooden tables have been restored in a heritage-friendly manner.
After its first ride in a long time, the imperial carriage returned safely to the suspension railway station early Saturday morning. Local celebrities were granted an exception to ride along during the test ride.
The initial plan in 2018 was to repair some parts of the carriage from the 1900 series and renew the electronics. The total cost of the sanitation of the Wuppertal Suspension Railway, including the imperial carriage, was 46 million Euros. The brittle steel parts of the historic imperial carriage were manufactured by the company Friedr. Krupp AG.
The imperial carriage is a special attraction and tourist magnet, as it is the only remaining vehicle of its series. Its first ride, 125 years ago, was by Kaiser Wilhelm II. to the opening of the suspension railway. The last renovation of the imperial carriage was over 40 years ago.
To prevent an influx of imperial carriage enthusiasts, Wuppertal Stadtwerke kept the first test ride a secret. The cost of restoring the imperial carriage was millions. The test ride marks a milestone in the long-awaited return of this iconic piece of Wuppertal's history to regular operation.
