Bahn-Nostalgikers celebrate special trip: Old route between Neubrandenburg and Friedland!

Bahn-Nostalgikers celebrate special trip: Old route between Neubrandenburg and Friedland!

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, a special special trip took place from Neubrandenburg to Friedland, which attracted numerous railway fans from different regions. This nostalgic journey was organized by the passenger association "Pro Bahn" to draw attention to the reactivation of the disused route. The historical route was opened in 1884, while regular passenger transport was discontinued in 1994. Around 100 enthusiastic participants took part in the booked special trip, which lasted about 90 minutes. The trains, consisting of historical shooting and control cars of the German Reichsbahn, put travelers in the past.

Although freight trains between Neubrandenburg and Friedland are already providing temporary people, regular passenger transport is not yet in sight. However, an analysis indicates a potential of around 530 passengers per working day, which further heats up the efforts to reactivate the route. By the end of 2026, an expansion of the route is planned for just under nine million euros, which is intended to increase the speed of the freight trains to up to 70 km/h. The deputy mayor of Friedland, Undine Wölk, was pleased with the arrival of the special trip and emphasized the importance of mobility for the region.

a folk festival for the region

The arrival in Friedland was an experience in itself. The atmosphere reminded of a small folk festival: old wagons in the Lok scale museum could be visited, and the physical well-being was also taken care of. Snacks and drinks invited the visitors to linger. "It is wonderful to see how many people are here today," said Wölk. "How important our mobility is is not only in nostalgia, but also in the opportunities that this route can offer."

In the context of the reactivation of railway lines, it should not go unmentioned that other initiatives in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania also meet a similar response. For example, as the [Government-MV] (https://www. government-mv.de/landes government/em/?id=211676&processor=processor.sa.PressMeitung) reported, on June 21 and 22, 2025, the Mecklenburg-Western Day in Greifswald. Special trips on the historic route between Greifswald and Lubmin were also offered here. This route, which comes up with stops in Greifswald Hauptbahnhof, Greifswald Süd and Sebad Lubmin, has not been active in passenger traffic since 1999 before it was revived in June 2024. The train runs four to five times every day and invites the citizens to use the old connection and to familiarize themselves with the history of the train.

These developments are part of a larger trend in Germany, where more and more disused railway lines are reactivated to increase mobility and strengthen regional connections. A comprehensive list of reactivated railway lines in Germany is viewable.

Overall, it can be seen that it is not only about the nostalgia of the railways, but also about the revival of connections that can enrich life on site. The railroad is still an important part of the infrastructure, and the positive signals that come from the current initiatives give hope for a mobile future.