Whilst we usually change location when we start a new month, as we had one remaining shot from this fascinating visit of Donald Brooks to East Berlin in 1979 we felt it was appropriate to conclude this look as “Around the World in Trams” continues.
The S-Bahn station of Friedrichshagen was – and still is – served by Berlin tram routes 60 and 61 as well as by trains. On the other side of the main line tracks from the standard gauge tram routes was a rural metre gauge tramway, connecting Friedrichshagen with the communities of Schöneiche and Rüdersdorf. The first section of the line, approximately 14 kms long with sections of both single and double track, was opened in 1910 and electrified four years later. The line is now numbered as Berlin route 88 and services are generally every twenty minutes, with the journey taking roughly half an hour.
Back in 1979, bogie car 65, built locally in 1970, and trailer T13 wait to leave Friedrichshagen for Rüdersdorf. The ubiquitous Trabant is the sole car parked in the station square, where the flower beds are well-tended. It might be a long wait for a taxi, though. Tram and trailer carry a blue and white livery to add even more variety to the shot.
Thanks to Donald Brooks for these excellent photos from East Berlin and his write-ups of what he saw during this visit.
Photograph by Donald Brooks, 20th May 1979