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UER Forum > Archived UE Main > Berlin Railway Depot Exploration (Viewed 334 times)
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Berlin Railway Depot Exploration
< on 7/28/2005 1:37 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Here are the details of my recent exploration of the abandoned Reichsbahnausbesserungwerk (Railway Rolling Stock Repair Shop) in Berlin. I discovered this site myself, so I hope it isn't already covered in the location database. Perhaps someone could add it for me? Unfortunately I discovered this site on the last night of my visit to Berlin, and I wasn't carrying my camera, so there aren't any photographs. If anyone visits the site and takes photographs I'd be very interested to see them.

Location: Reichsbahnausbesserungwerk, Revaler Strasse, Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany.

Owner: Deutsche Bahn AG (the German railway system).

Access: Fairly easy. The best way in is through the main site gates at the eastern end of Revaler Strasse (shown on my map). These gates seem to be open until mid-evening on weekdays as a small modern factory has been built at the eastern end of the site. A weather-beaten notice on the gates forbids entry and warns of "unfallgefahr" (accident danger). Deutsche Bahn have installed some new-ish metal fences around the derelict buildings, but if you follow the road downhill from the main gate you can easily climb in through a broken window. There do not appear to be any security guards.

Hazards: The site is between 6 and 20 feet below the roads around the perimeter. Do not attempt to hop over the wall; there is a sheer drop on the other side! The external lighting on the buildings is still active and comes on automatically at dusk, so be wary of touching any electrical equipment. The roof of Building 2 (on my map) is partially collapsed. Several of the buildings contain pits between the tracks for working on locomotives. Building 4 contains some deep pits filled with water, some of which are concealed under weak sheets of rubber or plastic. There is also broken glass everywhere.

The Exploration: In the time of a divided Germany, Berlin had two main stations: one for trains entering from the east, and another for trains entering from the west. The following information I have pieced together from several sources, so if anyone knows better please correct me. Trains did not usually cross the border from East Berlin to West Berlin. The eastern main station was Berlin Ostbahnhof and trains terminating there could be serviced in the Reichsbahnausbesserungwerk (RAW). When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, there were two train maintenance depots very close together, and it appears that Deutsche Bahn chose to close the RAW (the eastern depot, which was probably less well-equipped) in favour of the western depot. The buildings were subsequently abandoned.

In total the site probably occupies 50 acres. There are five large blocks of buildings, as shown on my hand-drawn map. Deutsche Bahn must have removed all the equipment from the depot when it closed, as there is scarcely a sign of it; just a large workbench with a vice and some compressed air tanks remain. The site has been heavily vandalised and there is evidence of solvent abuse in some buildings, but I didn't meet anyone the evening I explored. When I reached the far end of the site I heard a few noises and felt a little uneasy, as if I was being watched, but no one appeared. Despite the fact that the buildings are empty it's well worth a visit. The shells of the buildings are mostly intact, with the signs, enormous sodium lamps and railway tracks still present. With around 30 covered sidings for rolling stock maintenance it was clearly a very busy depot from the 1960s until the late '80s. Another interesting feature of the site is a nightclub (set up by squatters I believe) called Cassiopeia. I didn't have chance to explore this, but I believe it's a popular alternative venue in Berlin.

The location of the RAW:
40020.jpg (83 kb, 718x428)
click to view

A map showing land use (including derelict sites) in the area. The RAW is number 3 on the map:
40021.jpg (95 kb, 950x570)
click to view

My approximate hand-drawn map of the RAW site:
40022.jpg (93 kb, 1299x860)
click to view


While in Berlin, you might want to explore a few other abandoned sites. There are many along the railway tracks, and a good way to take a first look is to take the S-Bahn from Zoologischer Garten to Ostkreuz. Most of these sites have metal fences around them, but it's usually easy to find a way in. Another place which could be exciting is a building called Dienstleistungszentrum Spandauer Tor. I noticed this building in 2002 and never got a chance to explore it, but I'll mention it anyway - it might still be a promising UE location. It was some kind of plate-glass office complex built 10-15 years ago in northwest Berlin. Partway through the project the money ran out, so the building site was abandoned. Trees grow around the half-finished plate- glass building. It's a pretty spooky place. It's also next to the BMW motorcycle factory, which I believe offers tours if you book in advance. The motorcycle factory should help you locate it ? I don't recall the address.

Finally, if you need a cheap-but-nice place to stay in Berlin, try www.diefabrik.com This place is a converted factory; most explorers will love it!

Happy exploring!

Chris

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Re: Berlin Railway Depot Exploration
<Reply # 1 on 7/28/2005 11:48 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
http://www.uer.ca/...ow.asp?locid=23331

As soon as you're L3, ask a mod for transferral of the location to your account.

Tijmen

Posted by MapMan | 18/9/2005 19:25 | Hedy Lamarr made porn?
Posted by turbozutek | 20/9/2005 2:29 | Dude, educate us!
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Re: Berlin Railway Depot Exploration
<Reply # 2 on 7/28/2005 4:04 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Thanks for adding it to the database Tijmen. I hope some others enjoy exploring the RAW too.

Chris

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Re: Berlin Railway Depot Exploration
<Reply # 3 on 7/29/2005 6:12 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Wah! I wanna see pix!

I'm not angry - just focused :: No human opinion is higher than the truth
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cjb 


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Re: Berlin Railway Depot Exploration
<Reply # 4 on 8/15/2005 8:31 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
pictures other than maps wouldn't hurt

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Greg 


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How is this even 'exploration'? It's a loving house you've already been in you weirdo!

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Re: Berlin Railway Depot Exploration
<Reply # 5 on 8/16/2005 2:14 AM >
Posted on Forum:
 
If i was in Germany, I would be so there....

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Re: Berlin Railway Depot Exploration
<Reply # 6 on 8/16/2005 10:25 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by cjb
pictures other than maps wouldn't hurt


Unfortunately it was the last night of my holiday and I didn't have my camera with me. I thought it was better to post the maps and historical details than nothing at all.

Chris



UER Forum > Archived UE Main > Berlin Railway Depot Exploration (Viewed 334 times)



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