The exhibition entitled “On Separate Tracks” begins on the second floor of the museum. Large photo murals with many hitherto unpublished image documents, rare exhibits, historical films and interactive models bring this era alive again for visitors.

Collapse and reconstruction – 1945-1949

Pillar from Regensburg station

The depiction of a bomb site awaits visitors at the start of the exhibition on the post-war period. In 1945, the Reichsbahn had enormous challenges to overcome. The damaged rail facilities had to be repaired and millions of travellers taken to their destinations – refugees, soldiers returning home and “hoarders”. In the four occupation zones, there were initially independent railway administrations. The reorganisation of the Reichsbahn was laid down by the victorious powers, who in 1949 agreed on the division of Germany and thus the separation of the German railways. At the end of this first section of the exhibition, we therefore show how the Bundesbahn was created in West Germany and the Reichsbahn in the GDR.

Reichsbahn and Bundesbahn in a divided Germany – 1949-1989

In the following rooms, visitors can see the most important milestones in the development of both state-run railways side by side and make comparisons.

Key topics of the Reichsbahn exhibition are the consequences of the socialist planned economy, large-scale projects, such as the construction of the Mukran rail ferry terminal, but also the small pioneer railways run by children. Well-known Reichsbahn projects, such as the Tourex train, plus typical everyday products of the SED state, are on display. A well-preserved original tradition cabinet from the former Reichsbahn repair depot in Potsdam represents the ideological penetration of the normal working day.

A new Reichsbahn development in the GDR: the V180 diesel locomotive

From the Reichsbahn side, visitors can always look across to Bundesbahn developments: a Goggomobil stands as a symbol for the growing competition of car travel in the free market economy. Additional exhibits on display include models of important vehicle developments, such as the TEE, the electric locomotives and the ICE, photos of guest workers employed on the railway and a large number of advertising posters with well-known slogans, such as “Everybody talks about the weather – we don’t”.

A virtual tour Open interactive graphic: A virtual tour

In the exhibition, the border between Reichsbahn and Bundesbahn – unlike the real historical situations – is open, and visitors can cross sides at any time. At the end of the exhibition, in a multimedia installation, we let contemporary witnesses tell of the time of the flight from the republic and the opening of the border, because the opening of the border in 1989 not only heralded state reunification, but also the reunification of the “separate tracks” and the Rail Reform.

“On Separate Tracks” catalogue

A 150-page catalogue (in German only) is available for the “On Separate Tracks” exhibition section at a price of EUR 10 in the museum’s shop.