The lavishly appointed waiting room was reserved for use by emperors, royalty and the travelling aristocracy. Around this room, the exhibition shows general information about the history of railway stations in Germany.

A virtual tour Open interactive graphic: A virtual tour

Passenger stations play an important role in the railway world. They mark the beginning and end of a train journey. Whereas stations were usually located on the outskirts of a town when they were built, they had such an important influence on subsequent developments that they soon turned into the city centres themselves. Thus, as mobility grew increasingly important, this also shaped the face of the cities. But then as now, stations not only reflected contemporary architectural trends, but from the very start were public places that were used not only by railway travellers. Waiting room for persons of highest rank

Waiting room for persons of highest rank Enlarge image: Waiting room for persons of highest rank

The exhibition thus presents the entire spectrum of railway stations, from the “cathedrals of progress” right through to the small stations along unimportant secondary lines. It shows the 1st class restaurants from the turn of the century as well as the soup kitchens run by the Travellers’ Aid Society, and traces the history of ticket sales, from booking office to the latest vending machines.

Booking office c. 1900 Enlarge image: Booking office c. 1900

The Travellers’ Aid Society performs a wide range of tasks Enlarge image: The Travellers’ Aid Society performs a wide range of tasks