I was stationed in West Germany in '81-'83. We rode on the US troop train from Frankfurt to West Berlin. It traveled all night and we were under orders not to take pictures or to look outside. The shades were drawn throughout the trip. Naturally I was curious. Every time we'd slow down or stop at a station I'd peak out. What I saw seemed like time stood still. I saw hand operated turntables and spoke wheeled freight cars on sidings. Poorly lit and depressed stations. I was fascinated but could only imaging how those folks lived still in the past when the western countries were thriving. The troop train was fancier than most first class coaches I rode on during that time. Burled wood, private bathrooms, almost VIP travel it seemed. Maybe I just got lucky with the roomette choice. I wonder how it was acquired and where the cars are today? In a museum, reacquired by the German Rail, or scrapped? I have a picture or two of the signet on the side of a car somewhere.
Roman

Some history found after all
RTO
Rail Fan Discussion

That would have been an interesting trip. What were they afraid you might see? Squalor and 40 year old technology at a standstill? Pretty much summed it up for me. I would have liked to explore all those places before redevelopment came along. What artifacts would there have been left over from the war still there?

Thanks for posting that. It is certainly interesting to see colour photos from that era, and the subject is certainly interesting. I believe those flak wagons are made by Lilliput in HO. A train with those included would certainly liven up anyone's layout!

Slightly off topic; I am always mildly irritated when I run a Youtube video and find that it is not a video at all, but a collection of still photos set to music. I would appreciate it if these were described as "photo sequences" or similar, to avoid disappointment.

Hi John,

An animated video or film is one where still images are presented at a fast rate which makes it appear that there is live action. Animations can be done with drawings as in cartoons, with models as in "Wallace and Grommit", or computer generated graphics (CGI).

The youtube "video" we have seen is not what I would call "animated". It is just a sequence of photos.

Sorry to be pedantic. I worked for 20 years in broadcasting and it irritates me mildly when people get it wrong.