U17 live

U17 arrival at the Technik Museum Sinsheim (28 July 2024)

What a grand finale! After an exciting four-week journey, U17 has reached its final destination. Thousands of onlookers lined the Neulandstrasse to accompany U17 on the final stretch to the finish line - an incredible sight! And then the time had finally come! Frieder Saam took the last bend, steered the 30-axle low-loader onto the museum grounds and parked U17 in front of its future parking space. The crowd cheered, the whole area was filled with goose bumps, an absolutely moving moment that got under your skin! We would like to thank everyone involved for their support!

U17 motorway crossing at Sinsheim (27 July 2024)

What a night! Before U17 was able to reach its final destination, the convoy had to cross the motorway in pouring rain. And the next day, the journey finally continued - to the Technik Museum Sinsheim!

U17 through Weiler to the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim (26 July 2024)

The penultimate stage through the Kraichgau region took U17 from Weiler to the grounds of TSG Hoffenheim. The winding, serpentine roads were a real highlight and made the transport an impressive logistical feat. At the foot of Steinsberg Castle, further exciting challenges awaited us: a roundabout and a narrow road that runs alongside the facades of houses. What an adventure! At times it was so narrow between the houses that road signs had to be removed to allow us to pass. But that was not all: as Burgdorf is situated on the highest elevation in Kraichgau, the route went downhill again at the end of the village. Thanks to careful planning and preparation, which included straightening sections of the road with steel plates, the transport went smoothly. Countless onlookers lined the route and captured the moment with their cameras - an unforgettable experience for everyone involved!

U17 in Hilsbach (25 July 2024)

What an incredible reception in Hilsbach - our first stop of the day in the Sinsheim district! Hundreds of people accompanied the transport from Ittlingen to Hilsbach at the roadside - and with an impressive presence. U17 was duly welcomed with banners, cheers and freshly grilled food. The people of Hilsbach then happily welcomed our new exhibit. Residents and visitors to the region did not want to miss out on the spectacle and lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the gigantic metal colossus. But before the convoy could be parked, a tricky intersection in the town centre had to be mastered. Only a few centimetres separated U17 from the church wall and a residential building. After successful manoeuvring, the crew had more than earned the applause that followed.

U17 in Ittlingen (24 July 2024)

The residents and spectators were treated to a sight they will not soon forget: The maritime classic car wound its way through the town centre with impressive precision - what a sight. The local clubs provided the submarine fans with delicious food and refreshing drinks. Before U17 set off for its overnight quarters at the end of the town in the direction of Hilsbach, onlookers had the unique opportunity to take selfies and chat to the transport team and former submariners from the German Submariners' Association (Verband Deutscher U-Boot-Fahrer e. V.) led by Jürgen Weber.

U17 in lateral position for the last time - railway crossing in Ittlingen (23 July 2024)

It was not only the narrow road that caused the transporters and all the onlookers to hold their breath, it was also the last turn of the 350-tonne colossus on its almost four-week journey from Speyer to the Technik Museum Sinsheim and the last railway crossing. On schedule and shortly after lifting the overhead lines, the low-loader made its way to the railway line. At 00:30, the last of the 30 axles rolled over the railway track - an incredible moment!

U17 as a wrong-way driver on the motorway (20/21 July 2024)

In the night from Saturday to Sunday, the Kraichgau region experienced an absolute world premiere: our 350-tonne and almost 50-metre-long submarine drove on the fully closed A6 motorway and covered a section of the motorway as a ghost driver! We parked U17 in the car park between Reihen and Ittlingen at around 7 o'clock in the morning.

From Bad Rappenau to Bonfeld (18 July 2024)

On this day, U17 had to cover the shortest route to the Technik Museum Sinsheim to date. However, the three junctions on this route demanded maximum concentration from the crew. After a good two hours, it was done: U17 arrived in front of the road maintenance depot in Bonfeld and was greeted by an exuberant atmosphere.

Railway crossing in Bad Rappenau (18 July 2024)

Shortly after midnight, we set off on an exciting adventure: slowly and carefully, we crossed the railway crossing in Bad Rappenau with our submarine. The overhead lines were raised beforehand for this purpose. In front of hundreds of onlookers, the 30-axle low-loader moved forwards with impressive ease and aplomb. As soon as it left the roundabout, our team manoeuvred U17 into Wimpfener Straße and pulled the metal colossus past the houses with the utmost care. This was also accomplished in less than 30 minutes. The metal colossus was then secured, erected and parked at the end of Bad Rappenau shortly before 5 o'clock in the morning.

From Siegelsbach to Bad Rappenau (16 July 2024)

U17 was greeted with cheers as soon as it entered the town. And before the celebrations could continue, there were still two tricky sections for our crew to master. The tightest bend on the route so far (the 90-degree bend at the Protestant church) was passed with the utmost care thanks to the precise and experienced efforts of the driving team. A few metres further on, the roundabout was also mastered with the utmost concentration from everyone. Afterwards, the arrival of U17 was celebrated in style. And while the people of Bad Rappenau continue to celebrate tomorrow (17 July), the transport crew will be preparing for the upcoming crossing of the railway line from 9 am. At around 12 noon, U17 will be turned around and then travel over the tracks and under the overhead line at around 11.30 pm - another highlight we can look forward to

From Neckarmühlbach to Siegelsbach (15 July 2024)

Like the Mühlbach stream, our submarine meandered through the beautiful Fünfmühlental valley until it arrived in the centre of Siegelsbach at midday. The maritime old-timer was greeted with great cheers and interest by the local population. The local clubs catered for all the onlookers and, of course, our crew. The convoy set off at around 2.30 p.m. and parked the submarine behind the roundabout at the end of Siegelsbach in the direction of Bad Rappenau.

From Haßmersheim to the cement conveyor belt near Neckarmühlbach (14 July 2024)

Breathe a sigh of relief - there were two reasons to celebrate today, Sunday. The world's first rotation of a submarine on a low-loader - an absolute milestone! And as if that wasn't enough, this day also marked the halfway point of the four-week transport from Speyer to the Technik Museum Sinsheim. What a success!

The last shore leave of U17 - a successful roll-off in Haßmersheim (13 July 2024)

What an exciting morning! Our submarine was now on the water for the very last time. Accompanied by former submariners, many onlookers and the U17 transport team, the 350-tonne colossus finally came ashore in the early hours of the morning. It was an impressive sight as the pontoon was positioned across the Neckar and the 30-axle low-loader carefully drove under U17. U17 was then lowered, secured, made ready for departure and parked. A great moment for everyone involved! With this marvellous action, the water transport for U17 is now officially finished.

From Eberbach to Haßmersheim (9 July 2024)

U17 on the water for the last time ... At 9 o'clock sharp, the pushed convoy with the tilted submarine U17 set off on its final leg on the water. The destination: the municipality of Haßmersheim in the Neckar-Odenwald district. The charming waterway from Eberbach to Haßmersheim led along the Neckar valley through a picturesque, wooded and hilly landscape in Baden-Württemberg. The impressive welcome with cannon shots was followed by the festive part of the day with live music and culinary delights along the banks of the Neckar.

From Heidelberg to Eberbach (8 July 2024)

On 8 July, we set off from Heidelberg on the 35-kilometre-long waterway to Eberbach. What a journey! We passed historic old towns, castles, vineyards and the varied nature of the Neckar valley. We were greeted enthusiastically by the locals in Eberbach at around 6 pm. They greeted our U17 submarine with a big hello, their own submarine song and fanfares. There was an absolute holiday atmosphere on the sensational, specially heaped up sandy beach! The party went wild with rousing live music from "Get Back" and the "Eberbach Ol'star Band"!

U17 anchors in Heidelberg (7 July 2024)

In perfect weather for an excursion, our U17 submarine welcomed Heidelberg residents, tourists and fans to the banks of the Neckar in Heidelberg. The former submariners were more than willing to answer questions from interested visitors. As soon as the sun went down, the maritime old-timer shone in the colours of colourful underwater worlds - an absolutely breathtaking sight that was perfectly staged by the Metropolink Festival's light projection.

From Mannheim to Heidelberg (6 July 2024)

A real highlight took place in Heidelberg on 6 July: Our submarine U17 moored in front of the city's historic landmarks on the banks of the Neckar, attracting numerous curious visitors. Below Heidelberg Castle and in front of the Old Bridge, all those present were presented with a visually stunning scenario: the castle ruins on the right, the Old Bridge on the left and our submarine right in the middle - a real spectacle!

The transport also attracted the attention of families, history buffs and technology enthusiasts on its way from Mannheim to the Rhine-Neckar metropolis. It was a matter of centimetres as the convoy negotiated the Neckar bridge in Ladenburg and the narrow Schwabenheim lock.

U17 rotation in Mannheim (5 July 2024)

The first turn of our submarine on the water has been completed. This challenging operation was successfully completed today, 5 July, and marks an important milestone in the four-week transport of the submarine from Speyer to the Technik Museum in Sinsheim. The convoy left the banks of the Rhine in Speyer in the early hours of the morning. At around 12 noon, it moored in front of the premises of the Kübler haulage company in Mannheim/Rheinau. Then it was a case of one step at a time: loosening the lashings, stowing them neatly and safely, then laying the electrics for the rotating device and getting it ready for operation. A unique spectacle for all involved - 350 tonnes tipped to one side within a few minutes until U17 came to a halt on the river pontoon at an angle of 76 degrees.

Roll-on of the submarine on the river pontoon (2 July 2024)

What a marvellous moment! The roll-on of the submarine U17 onto the pontoon is complete: U17 has been manoeuvred precisely and safely onto the pontoon. This marks another milestone in the four-week transport of the U17 from the Technik Museum Speyer to the Technik Museum Sinsheim! But that's not all! Now there is still a lot of securing and fastening work to be done before the pushed convoy sets off across the Rhine towards Mannheim on Friday, 5 July, where it will be turned on the pontoon for the first time.

Start of transport from the Technik Museum Speyer to the banks of the Rhine (30 June 2024)

Today, 30 June, at 8:20 a.m., we set off: our U17 submarine made its way to the banks of the Rhine. The starting signal for our four-week U17 trip to the Technik Museum Sinsheim has been given. We are delighted with the successful start and the smooth progress. And the weather also played along: It was a rain-free morning. U17 is now being prepared for transport by river.