Members of the society were able to gradually restore the Bochum-Dahlhausen locomotive shed and its surroundings to their former condition after their closure by the Deutsche Bundesbahn on 1 August 1969.
The society owns by far the largest and most valuable collection of railway vehicles and equipment in Germany.
The collection of narrow gauge vehicles was dissolved and museum operations on the Jagsttal line (Jagsttalbahn) had to be given up on the closure of the route.
The DGEG has around 2,000 members at present, that in several regions and towns have also formed membership groups.
In addition to this charitable base, there is a commercial one, that is called the DGEG Holding AG.