Under Pressure

The history of the train toilet

Here you will find a selection of images from the new special exhibition at the DB Museum Nuremberg "Under pressure. The history of the train toilet".

Press release
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Project manager Benjamin Stieglmaier in the exhibition "Under pressure. The history of the train toilet"

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The downpipe toilet - the railroad's "outhouse" - was standard on trains for over a century.

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Sound and video installations allow visitors to experience the exhibition "Under Pressure" with (almost) all their senses.

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"Under Pressure" not only shows the technical development of the train toilet, but also many exciting side aspects, such as an excursus on the domestic toilet.

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Social aspects such as class conceit, the profession of the "service woman", Republikflucht (illegal emigration to West Germany) or smuggling are addressed in several exhibition units.

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In eight themed areas with around 150 exhibits, documents and photographs, "Under Pressure" tells the story of the train toilet from its beginnings in the 19th century to the present day.

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When people traveled by train in the early days of the railroad, they usually had to do without the comfort of a toilet. So-called "platform steps" were therefore established directly on the platforms at larger stations at an early stage.

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For families and children aged six and over, the DB Museum in Nuremberg offers a free hands-on booklet for playful exploration of the exhibition.

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The miniature replica of a downpipe toilet illustrates how it works.

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Interactive exhibits invite visitors to discover the exhibition in a playful way.

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A dry soap dispenser to try out illustrates what was standard in train toilets for many decades. The company "sapor" also produced a limited edition dry soap dispenser with the Deutsche Bundesbahn logo for the exhibition.

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Bioreactor from AKW A+V Protec Rail GmbH for internal installation in rail vehicles.

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DB Museum Unter Druck Fäkalien Transportwagen Copyright DB Museum Uwe Niklas

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Fecal matter transport car of the Royal Bavarian State Railways (K. Bay. Sts. B.) in Nuremberg (1:10 scale model).

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DB Museum Unter Druck Nachttopf Salonwagen Bismarck Copyright DB Museum Uwe Niklas

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Chamber pot (around 1880) from the saloon carriage of Prince Otto von Bismarck, the first German Chancellor.

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DB Museum Unter Druck Schild Abortbenutzungsverbot Copyright DB Museum Uwe Niklas

Copyright: DB Museum/Foto: Graef Medien

No-use sign for lavatories around 1880.

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DB Museum Unter Druck Toilettenpapier Copyright DB Museum Uwe Niklas

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Toilet paper with the Deutsche Bundesbahn logo (around 1980).

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DB Museum Unter Druck Vakuumtoiletten Bundesbahn Copyright DB Museum Uwe Niklas

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Collecting tank emptying of the first vacuum toilets introduced for testing purposes at the German Federal Railways.

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Dienstfrau Foto DB Museum Lotte Grandt

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Service woman refilling paper towels in a train toilet (around 1960).

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