Schöma
German manufacturer of small diesel, tunnel, industrial, and specialist locomotives.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Schöma is a specialist German locomotive manufacturer headquartered in Diepholz, Lower Saxony. The company focuses primarily on compact diesel-powered rail vehicles for demanding industrial, construction, mining, narrow-gauge, and shunting applications. Unlike large rolling-stock groups that manufacture standardized fleets for national railways, Schöma is associated with highly specialized locomotives, including custom-built one-off vehicles and equipment adapted to unusual gauges, restricted clearances, or harsh operating environments. The business was established in 1930 by Christoph Schöttler after he left his father's company, Diepholzer Maschinenfabrik Fritz Schöttler, commonly known as DIEMA. Schöttler founded a new machine factory on former DIEMA premises. The enterprise initially used the short name SCHÖMAG and later adopted the name Schöma. Its early activities included the production of mill machinery and tractors, but the company progressively moved toward rail vehicles. Schöma became especially important in the field of small railway equipment. Its historical product scope included field-railway locomotives, mine locomotives, narrow-gauge diesel locomotives, and railway service vehicles. The company developed not only complete locomotives but also associated technical systems, including engines, transmissions, and a drive shaft intended for diesel locomotives. This engineering capability supported the production of vehicles for industrial users whose requirements could not easily be met by mass-market rolling-stock manufacturers. A major development came in the early 1960s, when Schöma worked with the German Federal Railways on the heavy-duty Klv 53 vehicle. During the 1970s it also produced Klv 54 vehicles. These projects demonstrated the company's ability to supply robust rail-service equipment for railway maintenance and infrastructure work. Since 1970, tunnel locomotives have been a central part of Schöma's business. The company produces locomotives for subway construction, road and railway traffic tunnels, and supply or construction tunnels. Such vehicles are designed for confined underground environments and may be configured for construction logistics, material transport, personnel movements, or other temporary railway operations. Tunnel locomotives now represent the majority of the company's locomotive production according to the referenced company history. Schöma also continues to manufacture shunting locomotives and locomotives for island railways in both standard and narrow gauges. Its work includes the conversion and modernization of used locomotives, extending the service life of existing equipment. This combination of new construction, rebuilding, and bespoke engineering gives the brand a position centered on application-specific rail traction rather than high-volume production. The company marked its 75th anniversary in 2005 with delivery of its 6,000th locomotive. On 19 May 2011, a Schöma field-railway locomotive built in 1943, together with an attached peat wagon, was installed as a monument in a roundabout near Lohne in Oldenburg, close to the company's Diepholz base. The display recalls the historical use of field railways for peat transport in the surrounding region. Control passed to the fourth generation of the Schöttler family in 2012. The available reference material does not identify the members of that generation or provide detailed current management information. Schöma's present identity remains that of an independent, family-associated specialist manufacturer serving tunnel construction, industrial railways, mining-related operations, railway maintenance, shunting, and narrow-gauge applications.
History
Schöma originated in Diepholz in 1930, when Christoph Schöttler established the Christoph Schöttler Maschinenfabrik after leaving the family-associated DIEMA business. The new factory operated on former DIEMA premises and was initially known by the abbreviated name SCHÖMAG. A few years later, the company adopted the Schöma name. The original business continued some of the activities associated with general machinery manufacturing, including mill machinery and tractors. Its strategic direction gradually shifted toward rail vehicles. Schöma developed a reputation for producing field-railway and mine locomotives, narrow-gauge diesel locomotives, and vehicles for railway maintenance and industrial service. The company also developed relevant propulsion components, including engines, transmissions, and a diesel-locomotive drive shaft. During the early 1960s, Schöma cooperated with the German Federal Railways on the heavy-duty Klv 53. In the 1970s, it manufactured Klv 54 vehicles as well. These railway-service projects complemented the company's industrial and narrow-gauge work and placed it within the wider German railway-maintenance equipment sector. The start of tunnel-locomotive construction in 1970 became the most significant later change in the company's product mix. Schöma supplied compact locomotives for subway, traffic-tunnel, and supply-tunnel construction, where traction equipment must operate in confined spaces and support temporary or highly specialized logistics systems. Tunnel locomotives subsequently became the majority of the company's locomotive production. Alongside tunnel equipment, Schöma continued to build shunting locomotives and locomotives for island railways in standard and narrow gauges. Many of its vehicles were individually configured or built as one-off units. The company also undertook conversions of used locomotives, providing an alternative to entirely new equipment for operators with specialized requirements. Schöma's 75th anniversary in 2005 was marked by delivery of its 6,000th locomotive. The brand's industrial heritage was publicly commemorated in 2011 when a 1943 Schöma field locomotive and peat wagon were installed in a roundabout near Lohne, approximately seven kilometres from Diepholz. The exhibit reflects the historic use of field railways for peat transport in the surrounding area. In 2012, management and control passed to the fourth generation of the Schöttler family. The supplied sources do not name the members of that generation or provide a current executive roster. Schöma remains identified with specialist locomotive engineering from Diepholz, particularly for tunnel construction, industrial railways, shunting, mining-related work, railway service, and narrow-gauge applications.
- 2012
Fourth family generation assumes control
[1]Control of the company passed to the fourth generation of the Schöttler family.
- 2011
Historic locomotive placed near Lohne
[1]A 1943 Schöma field locomotive with a peat wagon was installed as a roadside monument near Lohne in Oldenburg.
- 2005
6,000th locomotive delivered
[1]The company delivered its 6,000th locomotive during its 75th anniversary year.
- 1970
Tunnel locomotive production begins
[1]Schöma began constructing tunnel locomotives for subway, traffic-tunnel, and supply-tunnel projects.
- 1970
Klv 54 production
[1]During the 1970s, Schöma manufactured Klv 54 railway-service vehicles.
- 1960
Development of the Klv 53
[1]In cooperation with the German Federal Railways, Schöma developed the heavy-duty Klv 53 railway-service vehicle.
- 1930
Christoph Schöttler establishes a new machine factory
[1]Christoph Schöttler founded the company in Diepholz after leaving DIEMA. The business initially operated under the short name SCHÖMAG.
The company adopts the Schöma name
[1]The original SCHÖMAG abbreviation was replaced by the Schöma name a few years after the company's establishment.
Products and positioning
Specialist manufacturer of compact, durable, and application-specific locomotives for tunnel construction, industrial railways, mining, shunting, railway maintenance, and narrow-gauge operations.
Construction and infrastructure locomotives · 1970
Tunnel locomotives
Schöma's principal modern product area consists of compact locomotives for subway, road, railway, and supply-tunnel construction. These vehicles support the movement of materials, equipment, and personnel in restricted underground environments and are configured for project-specific operating conditions. Their importance to the company grew after production began in 1970, and tunnel locomotives later represented the majority of Schöma's output.
Narrow-gauge industrial locomotives
Field-railway locomotives
Field-railway locomotives formed part of Schöma's historical core and were used for light industrial transport, construction, agriculture-related logistics, and similar narrow-gauge duties. The company's heritage includes locomotives built for regional peat transport and other specialized field-railway operations.
Industrial and mining rail equipment
Mine and industrial locomotives
Schöma has produced small diesel locomotives for mines and industrial railways, where compact dimensions, robust construction, and reliable low-speed traction are more important than standardized mainline performance. These vehicles belong to the company's broader specialist manufacturing portfolio.
Industrial shunting locomotives
Shunting locomotives
The company manufactures locomotives for shunting and internal industrial railway duties. Such vehicles are intended for moving wagons and equipment within worksites, terminals, depots, construction areas, and other environments requiring dependable localized rail traction.
Railway maintenance equipment · 1960
Railway service vehicles
Schöma's railway-service work includes heavy-duty vehicles developed and manufactured for railway infrastructure operators. The Klv 53 was developed with the German Federal Railways in the early 1960s, followed by production of Klv 54 vehicles during the 1970s.
Locomotive refurbishment and conversion
Converted locomotives
In addition to constructing new vehicles, Schöma converts used locomotives. Rebuilding and adaptation can allow existing equipment to remain in service or be altered for a different gauge, duty, or operating environment. The available sources do not specify individual conversion programs.
Brand decisions
2012
Transfer control to the fourth Schöttler generationOtherBackground
Schöma had remained associated with the Schöttler family since its foundation.
Action taken
Control passed to the family's fourth generation.
Aftermath
The available reference confirms continued family control but does not identify the individual successors or describe subsequent strategic changes.
1970
Make tunnel locomotives a core product areaStrategyBackground
Schöma had already built field, mine, narrow-gauge, and railway-service equipment, but tunnel construction created demand for compact specialist locomotives.
Action taken
The company began producing locomotives for subway, traffic-tunnel, and supply-tunnel construction.
Aftermath
Tunnel locomotives later became the majority of Schöma's locomotive production and remain central to its specialist market position.
Recent events
- 2012
Fourth Schöttler generation takes control of Schöma[1]
Leadership change
Control of the company passed to the fourth generation of the Schöttler family. The available reference does not identify the individual family members involved.
- 2011
Historic Schöma field locomotive installed near Lohne[1]
Other
A Schöma field-railway locomotive built in 1943, displayed with a peat wagon, was placed in a roundabout near Lohne as a monument to the region's peat-transport history.
- 2005
Schöma marks its 75th anniversary with its 6,000th locomotive[1]
Other
On its 75th anniversary, Schöma delivered its 6,000th locomotive, highlighting the scale of its long-term specialist manufacturing activity.
- 1970
Schöma begins production of tunnel locomotives[1]
Product launch
The company entered tunnel-locomotive construction, establishing the product area that later became the majority of its locomotive output.
Sources2 sources
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