Railway workers and noise protection: Living next to the B 105 in Pantelitz

Railway workers and noise protection: Living next to the B 105 in Pantelitz

Near Pantelitz, right on the busy B 105, Ralf Schneider lives in a small train station that used to be the residence of a railway guard. His home, which is directly opposite the junction to Pütte, shows an impressive railway history and is surrounded by the railway line between Rostock and Stralsund. This route is important not only for commuters, but also for railway enthusiasts, who repeatedly see the trains pass between the Stralsund and Rostock stations. Loud Baltic Sea newspaper Ralf is a passionate railway worker and is enthusiastic about everything related to railway history.

Schneider has lived in this 150 square meter house since 1999, which for a long time served as the residence of the signalman. The once striking image of the railway crossing where Schneider now lives was changed by the construction of a noise barrier. The crossing, known as “Post 4,” used to be an important point for gatekeepers, but has not been used since the 1990s. The trains now rush right past his property, and the noise is both a blessing and a curse for the train driver in his everyday life.

Life between the train tracks and the B 105

“I’ve gotten used to the noise, but it’s noticeably quiet when there’s no train,” says Schneider. Despite the noise pollution, he has a good knack for dealing with the vibrations caused by heavy freight trains. These make his place of residence a special experience, even if the street noise on the B 105 increases, especially at night, due to loud motorcycles. Schneider has followed the development of the old regulation of the road junction to Pütte and knows from his own experience that accidents have repeatedly happened there, which could be reduced by converting the turning area.

The railway line that Schneider loves so much runs parallel to the B 105 and extends through several stops, the first of which are in Stralsund. Stations like Langendorf or Martensdorf are just a few of the many points along the route. The regular train service on the connection between Rostock and Stralsund is of great importance for the residents, as well as for Schneider.

Railway passion and challenges

As a passenger train driver, Ralf Schneider is often confronted with the challenges of rail and road noise. The trains' new brake pads have improved the noise situation somewhat, but he knows that the vibrations caused by the heavy trains can often be unbearable. “It’s a double-edged sword,” he says. “On the one hand, I’m proud to live here, but on the other hand, it brings with it a number of challenges.”

People's honest connection to their environment is evident in Schmidter's words and his unwavering passion for railways. It is a life on the border between history and modernity, between noise and silence, which Ralf Schneider approaches with tireless optimism.