By German Museum of Technology
Deutsches Technikmuseum 2019
A question of class
There have been different classes of coach in passenger railways since the first one back in 1825. Today, 1st and 2nd class travel are the standard options. In earlier times, there were also 3rd and 4th class coaches.
1st to 3rd class corridor train coach, "Danzig 0674", 1:5 scale model 1st to 3rd class corridor train coach, Side view 1 (on the right) by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
This express train coach from around 1900 has, for example, three classes: 1st and 2nd on the right (green) and the 3rd class on the left (brown). The colour coding enabled the different classes to be quickly identified.
1st and 2nd classes are standard today but back then they were a privilege for the few passengers that could afford them.
Tap to explore
A look into the 2nd class compartments reveals refined luxury: plush seats, gold-plated reading lamps, lush textured wallpaper and a silk covered ceiling with art nouveaux ornaments.
1st to 3rd class corridor train coach, "Danzig 0674", 1:5 scale model 1st to 3rd class corridor train coach by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
The 1st class compartments boasted red plush seats and were often much roomier.
A 1st class ticket from Halle to Berlin cost 16.20 marks in 1906. High earning business people were among those able to afford such a ticket.
Most passengers travelled 3rd class, where the tickets were less than half as expensive. Still an expensive proposition considering the average pay for workers was 2.30 marks per day.
Clip: WindowGerman Museum of Technology
Tap to explore
The furnishings in 3rd class led to the proverbial German designation "Holzklasse" (wood seats = cheap seats) that is still used today. Upholstery pillows could be rented at train stations for a little more seating comfort during long-distance travel.
4th class compartment coach, "Berlin 1466", 1:5 scale model 4th class compartment coach, Side view 1 (on the right) by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
In addition to 3rd class there was also a 4th class in Germany in those days. This least expensive class was mainly offered in regional trains.
The 3rd and 4th class compartment coaches had areas reserved for women, but the 1st and 2nd class compartments did not.
Commuters travelling to work in the factories also used 4th class tickets. The number of punches on the sides of the ticket points to a 6-day workweek.
4th class compartment coach, "Berlin 1466", 1:5 scale model 4th class compartment coach by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
The so-called " Stehklasse " (standing class) consisted of large-capacity open plan compartments. Large baggage such as agricultural products being taken to the market in the city was allowed in these coaches.
3rd class compartment coach with infirmary, "Berlin 1890", 1:5 scale model 3rd class compartment coach by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
All the classes had the basic comforts: The railways already featured a regulated heater, simple ventilation and gas lighting. Other passenger needs were taken into account as well …
3rd class compartment coach, "Königsberg 1457", 1:5 scale model 3rd class compartment coach by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
For instance, smoking. It was allowed in some cars and compartments and prohibited in others.
Clip: smoking/non-smoking compartmentGerman Museum of Technology
Food on the move
The dining car made its appearance shortly before 1900. The culinary wishes on the train were now also provided for although only for the 1st and 2nd class passengers. The atmosphere in the car was correspondingly dignified as a result.
Tap to explore
Tap to explore
Heated meals were prepared on the gas stove. Hot water in a copper vessel left on a burner was always ready for use.
1st/2nd class corridor train coach with dining area, "Frankfurt 0243", 1:5 scale model 1st/2nd class corridor train coach with dining area by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
The food supply was kept in a storage room with what was then a conventional icebox - the predecessor of the refrigerator.
1st to 3rd class corridor train coach, "Danzig 0674", 1:5 scale model 1st to 3rd class corridor train coach by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
Toilets were also available in the coaches for all the classes and were usually gender specific.
Clip: Corridor door and train toiletGerman Museum of Technology
"An
old man is no D train"
Corridor trains were the most modern express trains of their time. These "through-way trains" had a corridor along one side of the coaches. It was now possible to walk through the whole train while it was moving.
1st to 3rd class corridor train coach, "Danzig 0674", 1:5 scale model 1st to 3rd class corridor train coach by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
So that the passage between the cars was protected from wind and weather, leather tunnels were stretched, so-called "bellows".
3rd class compartment coach with infirmary, "Berlin 1890", 1:5 scale model 3rd class compartment coach, Side view 2 (on the right at an angle) by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
In the older compartment coaches you could not go through the train while it was moving. Each compartment was only accessible from the outside through its own door.
3rd class compartment coach with infirmary, "Berlin 1890", 1:5 scale model 3rd class compartment coach by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
Anyone who still wanted to go from compartment to compartment while the train was moving had to scramble over the externally mounted running board. The German "Trittbrettfahrer" (riding on the running board) now has the proverbial meaning "free-rider (non-paying users)".
3rd class compartment coach, "Königsberg 1457", 1:5 scale model 3rd class compartment coach, "Königsberg 1457", 1:5 scale modelGerman Museum of Technology
Well at least there were many other types of compartment coaches in which the toilet could be reached from within! They had internally connecting doors leading to the adjacent compartments.
Luggage, pets & special passengers
Some railway journeys around the 1900s can seem pretty strange to us today.
Passenger train baggage car, "Berlin 3600", 1:5 scale model Passenger train baggage car, Side view 1 (on the right) by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
Every train back then had a baggage car in which the passengers' luggage was stored.
Special compartments for transporting pets were often located next to the train crew's service room.
Passenger train baggage car, "Berlin 3600", 1:5 scale model Passenger train baggage car by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
The pets were not allowed in the passenger compartments but were instead placed for the length of the journey in "dog boxes" designed for that purpose.
The animals were of course required to have a ticket: here for the price of 20 pfennig from Harburg/Elbe to Hamburg.
Medical coach, "Berlin 009" based in Anhalter Bahnhof, 1:5 scale model Medical coach by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
This specialized coach was used for the care of the injured in railway accidents – and included an operating room. Some regular trains also had compartments for transporting sick people.
Tap to explore
Railway hearse, "Altona 23", 1:5 scale model Railway hearse by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
In those days, railways had some type of coach or car for dealing with all aspects of life. Even for the last journey!
Railway hearse, "Altona 23", 1:5 scale model Railway hearse by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
Examples of people transferred by train for burial include the composer Richard Wagner, Empress Auguste Victoria and the German President Ebert. There was a Berlin company that rented out hearse coaches like this one.
Railway hearse, "Altona 23", 1:5 scale model Railway hearse by Clemens KirchnerGerman Museum of Technology
Separate compartments were provided for all those accompanying the coffin. That rental business, however, failed to make money and was eventually discontinued after a few years.
The transfer of corpses by train was also a widespread practice internationally, as this corpse ticket from South Africa shows.
Curator: Frank Zwintzscher
Producer: Bettina Gries
With photographs by Clemens Kirchner
and 360° photographs by Manuel Dahmann
Historical footage: Deutsches Technikmuseum, Historical Archive
Videos: Smidak Filmproduktion
Technical support: Jannes Repke
Translation: Barry Fay
Special thanks to: Michael Bergmann, Helen Böhland, Maria Borgmann, Karsten Fuchs, Alexander Glowasz, Mario Günther, Carsten Hein, Jürgen Heinrich, Gianna Hidde, Joseph Hoppe, André Ilausky, Marcel Jahre, Steffi Jira, Lars König, Thomas Krüger, Sabine Pakusa-Lerch, Klaus Marzik, Patrick Mehnert, Christopher Meyer, Lars Quadejacob, Arnfried Rohde, Marcel Ruhl, Dietmar Ruppert, Stefan Schleyer, Jörg Schmalfuß, Konrad Simon, Stefan Soos, Tanja Sprang, Sandra Stahl, Matthias Stier, Antje Stritzke, Tatjana Teller, Philipp Wolff, Michael Wölfle, Ivo Woutskowsky and Tiziana Zugaro.
