Güterbahnhof Reinickendorf

What secrets does a forgotten freight yard hold? Here, at the Güterbahnhof Reinickendorf, time seems to have stopped. Northeast of the Schönolz S-Bahn station, the Güterbahnhof Reinickendorf whispers stories of a bygone era. The station, originally opened in 1877 as “Reinickendorf,” has seen its fair share of transformations. It evolved from a simple single-platform station to a bustling junction. The Kremmener Bahn connected here, turning the station into a crucial interchange. It even boasted a grand entrance building. Between 1901 and 1903, the entire line was elevated onto an embankment, giving the Güterbahnhof Reinickendorf its current elevated position. The original station building was demolished, replaced by a modern structure designed to handle the increasing traffic. Separate long-distance tracks were laid for the Nordbahn, streamlining operations. The Kremmener Bahn tracks were also rearranged. These changes meant that the station served primarily suburban trains. Electrification arrived in 1925, propelling the station into the electric age. The last remnants of steam locomotives vanished after the electrification of the Kremmener Bahn in 1927. Traces of this era still remain at the Güterbahnhof Reinickendorf. A separate platform used for servicing steam locomotives, complete with a protective shed, still stands as a silent witness to the past. The Güterbahnhof Reinickendorf played a vital role during the tumultuous years of World War II. It served as a hub for war supplies. The nearby Lunalager, a camp housing forced laborers, highlights the dark side of this history. The station’s importance continued after the war, serving as a loading point for Soviet reparations. Machinery seized from local factories, including those where forced laborers had toiled, was transported eastwards. The Güterbahnhof Reinickendorf offers a poignant glimpse into Berlin’s complex past. A large goods shed, though a small part of the overall facility, stands proudly on the embankment. Below, alongside the Straße am Bürgerpark and Schützenstraße, remnants of overgrown tracks peek through the dense foliage. Three buildings still stand within the grounds, including the main building. Only a red brick pillar, foundation remnants, some exterior walls and pillars are left. In the late 1990s, the site was more complete. A safe in the small weighing and payment office remained. A 50-kilogram wagon jack from around 1900 lay hidden underground. Today, the grounds of the Güterbahnhof Reinickendorf serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of war, peace, leisure, death, division and reunification.