
Special exhibition
The condition of the Berlin S-Bahn between 1945 and 1989 is one of the most unusual consequences of the division of Germany. In the western sectors, it was operated by the German Reichsbahn (DR) of the GDR until 1984 – a once-modern mode of transport that became a pawn in the political conflicts between East and West.
After the construction of the Wall on August 13, 1961, which seemingly divided the city for good, this absurd situation became even more apparent. It wasn't until November 9, 1989, and reunification on October 3, 1990, that the Second World War finally ended for the S-Bahn. However, it took many years and billions of euros in investment before it could once again fulfill its role as the central means of transport for Berlin and the surrounding area.
The exhibition showcases the decades-long development of the S-Bahn and provides fascinating insights into the inner workings of the Deutsche Reichsbahn.